Concern over paediatric dispensing

The vexed question of unqualified staff failing to dispense spectacles correctly to children has been raised on a professional body website.

The bulletin board of abdo.org.uk has heard from a member who was asked by a mother to adjust a child's frame. 'The spectacles were supplied by a supermarket optician,' it read. 'It was the first time I ever witnessed a child wearing a full aperture as a half eye on the end of his nose. This was due to the sides being three centimetres too long.'

According to the anonymous DO it was the receptionist rather than anyone qualified who had dispensed and oversaw the correction. 'On returning to the supermarket to complain, staff informed the parent that there was no need to worry as the child would grow into them,' read the message. 'The parent was also shocked as they sold her a head strap for the child's spectacles.'

The DO asked does anyone else feel that standards are slipping and paediatric dispensing should be monitored more closely. Another member has supported the message, believing 'the GOC should be more aggressive in this matter.

'A lot of children in our town go to our branch of a small multiple which does not employ any qualified dispensing opticians,' the response read.

'Apparently they get past the law about dispensing to children by having an optometrist on the premises. It doesn't seem to matter that he/she is never out of the consulting room and, sometimes, has no idea that any children have even been in.'

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