Optical bodies dismiss web firm's PD request

Optometry Scotland and the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) have hit out at online frame retailer Metsuki's campaign to require pupillary distance (PD) measurements to be included on prescriptions.

Metsuki wrote to the Office of Fair Trading about the issue and its campaign has received the support of MP Charles Kennedy (News 19.03.10).

However, ADBO president Barry Duncan said it would not be wise for the General Optical Council (GOC) to sanction PD measurements to be provided with prescriptions as it would jeopardise patient care.

'It's important that people understand that the dispensing of spectacles is a highly skilled and complex competency,' he told Optician. Duncan added that PD measurement is only one of a number of equally important measurements that go towards accurate dispensing 'and the PD alone can't allow for comprehensive dispensing'.