GOC survey illustrates shift in public perception of optometrists

GOC survey illustrates shift in public perception of optometrists

For the first time, optometry practices are the most popular first port of call when respondents are asked where they would go with an eye problem.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has published its annual report exploring the public perception of optometrists.

For the first time since the research began in 2015, more people would choose to visit an optometry practice if they woke up with an eye problem than any other healthcare provider.

Among the representative sample of 2020 survey respondents living in the UK, 36% said they would go to an optometry practice if they woke up with an eye problem while 33% said they would visit a GP practice.

When the survey was first conducted in 2015, only 19% of respondents said they would visit an optometrist if they woke up with an eye problem.

This year’s survey revealed significant differences between nations: 49% of those surveyed in Northern Ireland would visit an optometry practice compared to 46% in Scotland, 39% in Wales and 30% in England.

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