The General Optical Council has ruled out any early move to introduce compulsory contact lens CET for optometrists who fit contact lenses.
An Optician/ACLM survey (01.05.09) revealed that nearly half of all optometrists fitting contact lenses undertake contact lens CET only occasionally, once or twice a year at most, and 17 per cent failed to state how often they took part.
Asked whether any further changes, either voluntary or compulsory, were expected in relation to CL CET for optometrists, the GOC told Optician: 'Contact lens competencies are part of the core competencies for optometry, therefore this would not be considered as a future speciality.'
However, it added that the proposed revalidation scheme might mean that registrants were required to demonstrate they met certain competencies depending on their risk profile and/or scope of practice.
'For example, those optometrists who fit contact lenses as part of their scope of practice may be required to show that they have undertaken appropriate CET as part of revalidation,' it said. The GOC is currently consulting on its proposals for revalidation, which is due to be introduced from 2012.
The College of Optometrists maintains that while OOs must practise within their sphere of competence, CL CET is up to the individual. 'Optometrists have the professional judgement to decide which CET or CPD best meets their needs, depending upon their personal development plan or mode of practice.'
The College is to trial a pilot CPD scheme from June to August this year and expects the scheme to be voluntary.
'We would urge those interested in specialising to consider the College's Higher Qualification in Contact Lens Practice,' its spokesperson added. Of more than 11,500 registered OOs, 39 hold College diplomas in contact lenses. None have been awarded this year.
According to CET administrator Vantage, 1,552 OOs who have registered any CL CET in the current three-year cycle have only one to two points. In contrast, nearly 60 per cent of contact lens opticians registered with Vantage have already met their minimum requirement of 18 CL CET points, with seven months of the current cycle to go.