GOC suspends Peterhead optometrist

Peterhead-based optometrist John Watson has been suspended for two months by the GOC after finding his fitness to practise impaired by reason of misconduct.

Citing 24 patient cases in 2020, the GOC panel determined that there were a range of clinical failings and Watson failed to adequately or appropriately record clinical data.

Examples included failures to assess anterior chamber depth, conduct visual field tests or record information in relation to flashes, medical conditions, or whether corneal staining was present for patients using dry eye treatment.

The committee acknowledged that the registrant had practised as an optometrist for over three decades with no prior fitness to practise history, showed genuine remorse and had several excellent colleague references.