Near-sighted: optometrists treated 'like retail staff'

A union accuses major eye care chains of prioritising the sale of glasses above patient care. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

Eye care chains are treating optometrists more like retail workers than health professionals, with sales targets and pressure to cut consultation times, a major union says.

Specsavers, OPSM, Bupa Optical and others are accused of prioritising glasses sales above patient care, leaving serious health conditions potentially undetected.