ABOUT THIS EPISODE
The UK government has recently finished consulting on proposals to introduce mandatory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 and over as part of the licence renewal process. The current vision standards for driving have been in place since the 1930s, and several tragic cases in which poor eyesight has contributed to fatal collisions have highlighted why many believe reform is long overdue.
No matter how the system ends up being reformed, it is essential that optometrists are confident in their understanding and implementation of the rules. After all, optometrists have a duty not only to their patients, but also to protect the public.
In this episode, Michelle Hanratty seeks advice from optometrists Paramdeep Bikhu, representing the College of Optometrists, and Aishah Patel of the Association of Optometrists (AOP), on how to assess and communicate a patient’s fitness to drive. Paramdeep and Aishah also explain how their organisations are continuing to advocate for further reforms to the eyesight requirements for driving.
GOC-registered optometrists practising in England, Wales or Northern Ireland can gain 1 CPD point by listening to this podcast and completing the exercise on our website. This episode covers the GOC domains of Professionalism and Communication. Docet - dedicated to providing quality optometric education and professional development.
If you have a topic in mind that you’d like us to cover, or if you’ve got an interesting case study you’d like to share, send Docet a message on LinkedIn.
