On the frontline: Dispensing children

Firstly, it is important to point out that dispensing to under 16-year-old patients falls within a protected category within the Opticians Act 1989 s.27 and is also clearly detailed by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). 

ABDO C 7.1.1 Statutory regulation does not permit the dispensing of spectacle prescriptions by unqualified persons to children under 16 (Opticians Act 1989, s.27). Sales of spectacles to children can only be made by or under the supervision of a registered practitioner. Regis-tered practitioners include optometrists, dispensing opticians and ophthalmic medical practitioners, and students under supervision.

An optical advisor can start a child’s dispense and collection but a ‘qualified and registered GOC registrant must be physically involved in the dispense and collection’.  This not only means checking the interpupillary distance (PD), optical centres, prescription in the completed spectacles but also the fit of the frame on the child as well. Also, all spectacle repairs and adjustments for a child must be conducted by or under the supervision of a registered and qualified dispensing optician or optometrist with the details being fully documented in the patient’s record.