GOC not planning to discuss refraction

Refraction has not yet entered the General Optical Council agenda despite calls from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

ABDO envisages a separate specialist register for dispensing opticians who qualify to do refraction through its FBDO R diploma qualification.

Implementing such a register would require a major change to the Opticians Act, which the GOC said would not be altered lightly.

GOC chief executive and registrar Samantha Peters said: 'We always welcome evidence from our stakeholders about how any of our rules and regulations may be changed or improved for the benefit and protection of the public.

'This proposal, concerning the refraction regulations, would require a major change to the Opticians Act. Since legislation is not altered lightly - a change of this scale would require a comprehensive portfolio of the evidence weighing up the merits carefully, and considering both public benefit and patient safety.