OO cleared

An optometrist accused of deficient professional performance has been cleared by a General Optical Council fitness to practise committee.

The Council alleged Fearghal Murray's performance was deficient in a total of 19 patients examined, most of whom were alleged to have had inadequate near cover and muscle balance tests, as well as inadequate records.

Murray called an expert practising optometrist to give evidence on his behalf, who said there had been some minor errors but the practice was of an acceptable standard. The allegations over the registrant's record-keeping stemmed from the irretrievability of the records on his computer system, but the committee said it was clear from the evidence presented that the records could be fully recalled.