International comparisons on refraction services with the sight test model in the UK

We are seeking a primarily desk-based analysis of international comparisons with countries where refraction and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person (as would normally be the case in a sight test carried out in the UK), to inform our work on possible reform of the Opticians Act 1989 ('the Act') and associated GOC policies.

This will involve designing and conducting the research, analysing the findings, and producing a report.

The aim of the research is to: learn more about eye health models in countries where the refraction and eye health checks are not carried out by the same person (even where one person takes responsibility for both processes); compare avoidable sight loss rates in those countries with the UK's rates of avoidable sight loss and analyse the reasons for the differences in rates; and obtain an up to date figure (and costs) of avoidable sight loss in the UK.