Repurposing the wheel

2 May 2025
Spring 2025

Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom marks the launch of the UK Eye Care Data Hub.

Earlier this year I chaired a meeting of the five nations at the College: the optometric bodies of the UK and the Republic of Ireland. This was a great opportunity to discuss topics of common interest with our partners, identifying and sharing successes and challenges.

Learning from our peers strengthens our knowledge and allows us to build our relationships to drive forward eye care. There is no benefit in reinventing the wheel; we just need to utilise those wheels to move forward.

I was pleased to see the launch of the UK Eye Care Data Hub in January. Led by the College, organisations such as ABDO, BIOS, DoH NI, FODO and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists have collaborated to develop this new tool to support healthcare commissioners and providers in planning and designing future eye care services. 

Lack of adequate capacity in the hospital eye service is failing patients: tens of thousands of them are waiting over a year for treatment, putting them at risk of irreversible sight loss. There is a significant increase in the prevalence of certain eye conditions and eye disease. Demand will continue to outstrip capacity. 

Lack of adequate capacity in the hospital eye service is failing patients

The UK Eye Care Data Hub models over 40 eye conditions, and more will be added in future updates to provide a comprehensive view of eye disease and conditions across the UK. 

The tool also allows users to model the future eye care workforce, spanning both primary and secondary eye care services. This vital insight will support eye care and service planners to understand how the workforce will change over time.  

The College, working alongside other bodies representing the eye care workforce, is calling for greater investment in training and a recognition that services should be remodelled to make the best of the whole workforce, particularly optometrists working in primary care. This is one of my most important messages as I meet with stakeholders in my role as President.

By commissioning more eye care services in primary care, health commissioners can provide more timely access to effective eye care for an ageing population and ultimately help prevent avoidable sight loss.

Dr Gillian Rudduck PhD MCOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc

President, Council Member - North West

Gillian has over 20 years' experience in a wide range of optometry, including primary and secondary care and academia, and currently practises as a consultant optometrist and a clinical lead at Wirral University Teaching Hospitals.

Image credit | Caroline Andrieu

Related further reading

The College of Optometrists and the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) call on the government to make a long-term commitment to primary eye care in its NHS 10-Year Health Plan as part of the shift from hospital to community.

The College of Optometrists calls for vital community minor and urgent eye care services to be universally commissioned in England

Optometrists talk to patients about eye health every day, and have an important role to play in health promotion and public health.