DOs take step on road to CET points equality

Dispensing opticians have a won a minor victory in their war for CET equality with optometrists.

In a U-turn by Vantage, any CET accredited for contact lens points may be completed by dispensing opticians for whom they will count as general points.

ABDO and CIBA Vision have started canvassing support from optical practitioners to lobby the GOC to introduce a requirement for contact lens opticians (CLOs) to gain the same number of points as optometrists from the next CET cycle starting in January 2010.

The existing situation requires CLOs to gain 18 extra contact lens points in addition to 36 general points in a three-year period. Optometrists who also fit contact lenses are required to gain 36 points only, with no stipulation about specialist points.