Contact lens rule clarifications

Specifications must be time limited - their length of validity being determined according to the clinical judgement of the practitioner in each case, with reference to current professional guidelines. The proposal allows highly trained clinicians to exercise professional expertise when assessing individual patients. Supply will be governed by a clinically determined specification, thereby reconciling the inherent tension between public protection and consumer choice. The draft rules are the product of extensive consultation between the professions, the optical industry and the GOC. I suggest Mr Morris reads them rather than relying on inaccurate reports. I would also correct Mr Morris on another point. Although the GOC is pursuing changes to legislation to make CET mandatory for the profession, at the current time CET is still voluntary for both dispensing opticians and optometrists. From January 1 2001, the Council will be issuing a list of all contact lens practitioners who have voluntarily achieved six CET credits in contact lens practice. Rosie Varley Chairman General Optical Council