Mental health and optometrists: coming out of the dark

28 October 2020
Autumn 2020
Public health

The COVID-19 pandemic means optometrists are facing extremely stressful situations. Kathy Oxtoby explores the range of services available in different settings to support mental welfare.

The pandemic has exacerbated feelings of isolation and lack of direction among optometrists, who are adjusting to a new routine of remote triaging either from the practice or from home, and seeing fewer routine patients, coupled with uncertainties about their current or future role. 

Some optometrists have also been redeployed, and NHS England warns these clinicians may be at increased personal, physical or mental health risk in a new working environment.

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