GOC to discuss contact lens law with profession

Representatives of the optical professional bodies will meet on Monday at the General Optical Council’s headquarters in Harley Street to discuss issues related to the sale and supply of optical goods.

The meeting will consider Queen’s Counsel opinion on how the law on sales of spectacles, plano contact lenses and powered contact lenses is interpreted. It will also consider whether any changes are needed to guidance issued by the College of Optometrists and the

Association of British Dispensing Opticians regarding the supervision and general direction of sales.

Last month, Optician reported that Essex-based pharmaceutical and medical supplier Protea Products is currently selling its Eye2Eye

Contactz lens and solution to 600 independent pharmacies and optical outlets (News, September 15).

Protea Products’ managing director Shen Sidana has taken a stance against changes made to regulations on plano lenses. ‘Our policy is that we’re not actually supplying a plano contact lens. We see the definition of a contact lens as a piece of glass or plastic designed to correct any refractice error,’ he said.