Access to healthcare is a global issue with shortages of ophthalmologists in the UK highlighted by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and an estimated 230 UK ophthalmologists needed in the immediate future.

This interesting paper looked into the questions asked by Redditors on the /r/eyetriage subreddit. 42% of posts were looking for diagnosis, but 11% of patients were looking for help on surgical complications and these are people who have already have access to a surgeon. Sadly responses from ophthalmologists are rare at 10.8%

I have been lurking around /r/eyetriage and I feel that, rather than representing an inability to access healthcare, the subreddit demonstrates how people hope or which to interact with healthcare. The traditional model of arranging an appointment, waiting for the appointment, travelling to see the Doctor is very convoluted process, especially when compared to hailing an Uber.
We are on the cusp of a revolution in how people access healthcare. This year I have started to offer virtual consultations and I have made myself electronically available to patients directly through email.
Especially in the new era of COVID and the ubiquity of electronic communication devices and social media, we can make more direct contact with our patients than ever before and I welcome the new doctor:patient relationship that will bring patient and doctor closer together .