GOC must take action over CL substitution

Anger at the General Optical Council's apparent failure to act on the substitution of contact lenses by internet suppliers and on illegal sales of novelty lenses surfaced at last week's BCLA Pioneers Conference.

During a panel discussion on the future of contact lens practice in the UK, BCLA members asked whether anything was being done to prevent suppliers substituting lens type or parameters.

AOP chairman David Shannon said: 'What we're missing from this panel is someone from the GOC. This is a big issue, it's a big problem and it's frustrating for all contact lens practitioners.

'We meet regularly with the GOC and keep bringing it up but keep getting a similar answer. It's going to need legislation, the government is busy and we don't think the Department of Health is going to see this one through.'