College of Optometrists Updates Guidance
31 August 2023
The Guidance for Professional Practice sets out good practice for optometrists by providing the help, support and guidance needed to make clinical and professional decisions in all work environments, and a wide range of situations.
The College of Optometrists update the guidance once every three years, checking each section against changes in legislation and the latest evidence. An expert review group then reviews and refines each change and contributes to drafting new sections.
The college is now in the final stage of reviewing the Guidance before it is published in December.
They’re inviting their members, stakeholders, and the general public to share their thoughts on proposed changes so that they can understand the full impact of each proposed change, and ensure that the guidance remains clear, relevant and authoritative.
To take part in the review, please download and complete the consultation form, and return it by email to daniel.hardiman-mccartney@college-optometrists.org by 5pm on Wednesday 4 October 2023.
Four key changes to the Guidance:
- A new section on myopia management. Aligning the core guidance with our supplementary myopia management guidance
- A new section on providing remote and virtual care. Setting out high-level principles for performing safe and robust remote and virtual care
- Clarification that the same optometrist must perform refraction, ocular health assessment and the issuing of a prescription during a sight test. Protecting the public from providers who are adopting non-evidence-based testing methods
- A change to the recording and oversight of the administration of diagnostic Prescription Only Medicines. Reducing the record keeping burden whilst keeping patients safe