GOC rebuts attack on profession by Which?

The GOC has refuted claims by Which? that nearly half of eye examinations performed by optometrists are poor or very poor, after the consumer watchdog carried out an undercover investigation.

As reported in last week's Optician, (News, August 31), a Which? panel of experts judged 17 out of the 30 examinations it studied to be of an unacceptable standard, alleging that vital tests were missed in some cases. However, none of the practices tried to prescribe spectacles or contact lensesto the two researchers who did not have vision problems.

As part of its undercover investigation, Which? sent student optometrists to 39 practices, including those located in supermarkets, national and regional chains, and independent outlets.