News

A fitness to practise committee of the General Optical Council has imposed a list of conditions on registered optometrist Janine Elizabeth Vali after finding her fitness to practise impaired.

Vali admitted on July 26, 2005 that she recorded intraocular pressure measurements of 28mmHg in the right eye and 17mmHg in the left eye of a patient, but did not repeat the recording either immediately or at a different time of day.

Vali also admitted failing to perform a visual field test or to make a referral of the patient to a medical practitioner concerning abnormal intraocular pressure measurements.

Finding Vali guilty of misconduct and deficient professional performance, the committee felt nothing indicated that the deficiencies in her practice and insight, especially in regard to glaucoma, had been remedied in four and half years.

Among the conditions it imposed on Vali, to be completed within a two-year period, were that with a supervisor she must formulate a personal development plan specifically designed to address glaucoma and its management.

Another condition was that Vali must not carry out examinations of patients over 40 years of age without a supervisor viewing and approving the examination records within seven days, because of the increased risk of glaucoma in such patients.

Providing exclusive eye care news, information and educational needs every week, including a FREE CET programme. Subscribe to Optician Print Edition.