August 26, 2005 No 6016 Vol 230 Optician www.opticianonline.net 19 the specification. Again, this aspect has not been defined and the fitter should use their discretion as to the patient and their circumstances. It would be advisable to annotate the notes to justify any such date. The name and address of the patient and date of birth, if under 16, is required. The contact details of the ‘fitter’, as well as a signature and GOC number to validate the specifications are also necessary. If different ‘fitters’ took part in the procedure, the last person to see the patient needs to supply their details. Written instructions for handling and maintenance should be given out. The College of Optometrists and ABDO recommend that a maximum of six months of contact lenses or up to the amount until the prescription expires should be supplied. METHODS OF SUPPLY OF CLS The new amendments now define ‘supply’ into two different types: either under ‘general direction’, or under ‘supervision’. Supply under ‘general direction’ does not require a registered optician to be present, but the directing registered optician is clinically responsible for the ‘supply’. Most new contact lens retailers are taking this route. They will sell contact lenses from their stores with the retail staff having no registered optician present. Supply under ‘supervision’ is when a registered optician is present and can intervene in the transaction. Again, the clinical responsibility is with the registered optician. The two new routes of supply will need to be legally tested and case law will define the final impact with time. THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPPLIER OF CONTACT LENSES The new amendments state: ‘The supplier must be reasonably satisfied... and make arrangements for aftercare to take place’. The supplier must have an in-date specification, or if this is unavailable, will need to verify this with the original ‘fitter’. Again, the amendments state the verifica- tion can only be made with the original ‘fitter’ not the practice. The prescription can be in electronic format, or fax, but the signature of the ‘fitter’ needs to be on this document and other information, particu- larly their GOC number. This suggests that a patient bringing in an empty box of contact lenses for a replacement, would require the supplier to gather more information before a ‘sale’ can be made. With regards to aftercare, the supplier is responsible for the individual receiving this, ‘in so far as and for as long as may be reasonable in his or her particular case’. This could be interpreted as advice on when the next aftercare is due and where to go for this. REVALIDATION OF A CONTACT LENS SPECIFICATION In some cases it may not be possible to obtain enough information to be ‘satisfied’ before a sale, so the contact lens prescrip- tion may need to be revalidated. In this case, a registered optician can do this but then will be taking over the clinical responsibility of the patient. Also, a contact lens specification will need to be issued as soon as the revalidation or ‘fit’ is complete. These changes highlight the need of good record keeping and the ability opticians act ▲ Fitting can still only be done by a suitably qualified OMP, optometrist or contact lens optician Opt-18-21Act.indd 19 23/8/05, 3:52:00 pm
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August 26, 2005 No 6016 Vol 230 Opticianwww.opticianonline.net
19
the specification. Again, this aspect has not been defined and the fitter should use their discretion as to the patient and their circumstances.
It would be advisable to annotate the notes to justify any such date.
The name and address of the patient and date of birth, if under 16, is required. The contact details of the ‘fitter’, as well as a signature and GOC number to validate the specifications are also necessary. If different ‘fitters’ took part in the procedure, the last person to see the patient needs to supply their details.
Written instructions for handling and maintenance should be given out.
The College of Optometrists and ABDO recommend that a maximum of six months of contact lenses or up to the amount until the prescription expires should be supplied.
METHODS OF SUPPLY OF CLS
The new amendments now define ‘supply’ into two different types: either under ‘general direction’, or under ‘supervision’.
Supply under ‘general direction’ does not require a registered optician to be present, but the directing registered optician is clinically responsible for the ‘supply’. Most new contact lens retailers are taking this route. They will sell contact lenses from their stores with the retail staff having no registered optician present.
Supply under ‘supervision’ is when a registered optician is present and can intervene in the transaction. Again, the clinical responsibility is with the registered optician.
The two new routes of supply will need to be legally tested and case law will define the final impact with time.
THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPPLIER OF CONTACT LENSES
The new amendments state: ‘The supplier must be reasonably satisfied... and make arrangements for aftercare to take place’.
The supplier must have an in-date specification, or if this is unavailable, will need to verify this with the original ‘fitter’. Again, the amendments state the verifica-tion can only be made with the original ‘fitter’ not the practice. The prescription can be in electronic format, or fax, but the signature of the ‘fitter’ needs to be on this document and other information, particu-larly their GOC number. This suggests that a patient bringing in an empty box of contact lenses for a replacement, would require the supplier to gather more information before a ‘sale’ can be made.
With regards to aftercare, the supplier is responsible for the individual receiving this, ‘in so far as and for as long as may be reasonable in his or her particular case’.
This could be interpreted as advice on when the next aftercare is due and where to go for this.
REVALIDATION OF A CONTACT LENS SPECIFICATION
In some cases it may not be possible to obtain enough information to be ‘satisfied’ before a sale, so the contact lens prescrip-tion may need to be revalidated.
In this case, a registered optician can do this but then will be taking over the clinical responsibility of the patient. Also, a contact lens specification will need to be issued as soon as the revalidation or ‘fit’ is complete.
These changes highlight the need of good record keeping and the ability
o p t i c i a n s a c t
▲
Fitting can still only be done by a suitably qualified OMP, optometrist or contact lens optician
Opt-18-21Act.indd 19 23/8/05, 3:52:00 pm
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