A consultation has been launched to help shape new standards that will determine the way eye surgery is delivered in the UK.
The Optical Confederation announced this week it is consulting on the standards to promote best practice in the refractive surgery sector. It follows the adoption of the General Medical Council’s guidance for doctors who offer cosmetic interventions.
Optical Confederation standards will be in line with the GMC’s guidance for doctors who offer cosmetic procedures, it said, and have been drawn up by surgeons, optometrists, refractive surgery providers and patients.
Lynda Oliver, acting chair of the Optical Confederation, said: ‘These new standards are designed to uphold high quality care and outcomes across the refractive eye surgery sector and to make sure all patients are given the care, treatment and support they need.
‘Refractive surgery is a very safe form of surgery, but as with any other medical procedure, surgical vision correction does carry some risk and the new standards will help reduce that risk across the sector as well as providing confidence for patients and primary care professionals who are asked to recommend such procedures.
‘The refractive eye surgery sector is expanding to meet patient demand and fair access to care is a key issue. This means working together to develop safe new models of care with greater use and greater flexibility over resources, skill mix and locations of care.’
The consultation is available to view and respond to before April 7 - click here to see it.