Optometrists and contact lens opticians will be able to use CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips within the scope of their practice, following an update from the General Optical Council.
Previously, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) held that lissamine green should be regulated as a medicine, but with no marketing authorisation in place, the status of the product and its diagnostic use had been a source of confusion.
The GOC position statement also outlined registrants’ responsibility to act in the best interests of their patients at all times and determine the most appropriate clinical care in accordance with the GOC’s Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.
The Council was assisted in forming the statement by practitioners, academics, optical organisations and the MHRA.