Laser standards bolster patient protection

New standards for providers and clinical teams offering refractive surgery proposing increased protection for UK patients have been introduced by the Optical Confederation.

Introduced to ensure the highest quality of care, the new patient-focused measures include additional checks on the way consent is sought before procedures.

The standards have been developed by ophthalmic surgeons and ECPs, along with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including regulators, providers, eye care charities as well as individual patients.

Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) chief executive David Hewlett said: ‘Increasingly professionals are employed or contracted to work in multi-professional teams to meet patients’ growing needs and expectations. These breakthrough standards clearly point the way forward.’