French chain of opticians launches online eye exams

THE SCHEME USES ONLINE CONSULTATION BOOTHS IN SELECT STORES IN AREAS OF FRANCE WHERE IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET AN APPOINTMENT WITH AN EYE DOCTOR A chain of opticians is to offer online

consultations in areas where it is difficult to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist – an eye doctor who carries out tests and provides prescriptions for glasses in France. Alain

Afflelou has trialled the scheme in five of its stores and plans to add 25 more locations in the coming months. Participating shops will be fitted with a consultation room, including

equipment to allow doctors to detect issues such as cataracts. Patients will be directed to a practice where they can receive a physical exam if necessary. Managing director Anthony Afflelou

said: “Our objective is to offer clients quick and simplified access to an appointment with a practitioner in medical deserts [zones where there is a lack of medical professionals].” The

scheme could be expanded: according to the chain, 200 of its stores are situated in medical deserts. READ MORE: FRENCH ‘MEDICAL DESERTS’: MAYOR’S PLEA OVER LACK OF RURAL GPS READ MORE:

FRENCH MOBILE OPTICIANS BRING EYE TESTS AND GLASSES TO YOUR DOOR The ophthalmologists are chosen by the company, which provides the technology, and there will be no obligation to purchase

glasses afterwards. There have already been 2,000 video consultations since the start of the year as part of the test phase. In January, an OpinionWay survey for the Rassemblement des

Opticiens de France found that 56% of people in France wait at least six months for an appointment with an ophthalmologist. There is significant regional variation, with 46% of people in the

Centre region and 40% in Brittany waiting at least six months, compared to 11% in Ile-de-France. The new scheme is not the only one of its type. In May 2021, Point Vision launched an

experimental video consultation centre in Saint-Quentin (Aisne), in collaboration with the Caisse nationale de l’Assurance Maladie (Cnam), meaning patients could be reimbursed. Patients are

seen by an orthoptist, who provides the link with a doctor in Lille. In July, the group published the results, which revealed that the average waiting time for appointments was reduced from

several months to just 18.8 days. READ MORE: EYE CARE REFORMS IN FRANCE REDUCE WAITING TIMES TO SEE SPECIALISTS The centre is affiliated to Point Vision Lille-Lesquin, and a doctor from

Lille comes once every two weeks to examine patients who need additional tests, which was highlighted as an essential component in information outlining the results of the experiment. The

group piloting the tests therefore concluded that any teleconsultation centres should be located no more than one hour’s travelling time from a physical examination centre. RELATED ARTICLES

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