Chart A: Activity Status of Optometrists Covered

Of the 905* optometrists covered, 372 (41.1%) responded to the survey, while the remaining 533 (58.9%) did not respond. Among the 372 responding optometrists, 360 (96.8%) were active and 12 (3.2%) were inactive in the local optometry profession as at 31 July 2021. 

Among the 360 active optometrists, 354 (98.3%) were practising in the local optometry profession, two (0.6%) reported that they had not been available for work because of temporary sickness, one† (0.3%) was seeking jobs in the optometry profession and three‡ (0.8%) reported that they were available for work but had not sought work during the 30 days before enumeration as they believed no work was available in the profession; were waiting to take up a new job; or expecting to return to their original jobs in the local optometry profession.

Of the 12 (3.2%) inactive optometrists enumerated, eight (66.7%) reported not seeking jobs in the local optometry profession during the 30 days before enumeration, two (16.7%) reported practising in the Mainland and two (16.7%) reported practising overseas.

Among the eight inactive optometrists who reported not seeking jobs in the local optometry profession, the main reasons included: three (37.5%) were retired, one (12.5%) was working in other profession, one (12.5%) was engaged in household duties, one§ (12.5%) had emigrated, one§ (12.5%) was undertaking study and one§ (12.5%) wanted to take rest/ had no motive to work/ had no financial need.


Note:
* Figure refers to the number of optometrists who had registered with the Optometrists Board of Hong Kong under the Supplementary Medical Professions Ordinance (Chapter 359) on or before 31.7.2021, and who had provided written consent to receive information related to HMS-OPT by post or email.

† Figure refers to the number of responding optometrists who (a) were not practising in the optometry profession in Hong Kong during the survey period; (b) had been available for work during the seven days before the survey; AND (c) had sought work in the local optometry profession during the 30 days before the survey.

‡ Figure refers to the number of responding optometrists who (a) were not practising in the optometry profession in Hong Kong during the survey period; (b) had been available for work during the seven days before the survey; AND (c) had not sought work during the 30 days before enumeration because he/ she believed that work was not available; or was waiting to take up a new job; or was expecting to return to the original job in the local optometry profession during the 30 days before the survey.

§ Figure refers to the number of responding optometrists who (a) were not practising in the optometry profession in Hong Kong during the survey period; (b) had been available for work during the seven days before the survey; AND (c) had sought work in the local optometry profession during the 30 days before the survey.

Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding.