College urges vCJD guidelines response

The guidelines were drawn up after fears that new variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease could spread via the re-use of lenses. More than a year has passed since the Department banned practitioners from re-using trial contact lenses or equipment that comes into direct contact with patients' eyes on more than one person. The College has been looking for a response since the guidelines were submitted in June. A spokeswoman said: 'We are pressing them for feedback and don't know how long they are likely to take. We are waiting for their approval before we can release the guidelines and have been pressing them for action on this as we appreciate that this is important for both the profession and the public.' The vCJD guidelines were drawn up by a working party from the College of Optometrists and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists also had an input. There have been renewed fears recently with vCJD figures continuing to rise. Cases have been reported in France and Italy and the disease has also been found in animals other than cows. SEAC is meeting on September 29 to discuss further controls and research.