A group of practitioners is to claim that a lack of regulation in online spectacle supply is putting patient safety at risk and is taking its objections to the GOC.
They will voice their anxiety through a letter to the Council, and ask for a response. The letter, which emerged from the forum www.theOptom.com, states: 'Our concerns arise from the fact that qualified staff are being advertised as being in attendance on all these websites.
'However, we fail to see how the rules and regulations governing the sale and supply of spectacles are being adhered to by these parties.'
The letter claims there is 'compelling evidence' against companies who dispense spectacles remotely.
'We feel that at best the profession's image is becoming tarnished, and at worst, customers are being supplied with spectacles which could potentially cause great discomfort, impaired vision or lead to accident/injury.'
It reminds the GOC that professionals must adhere to strict guidelines, and urges it to investigate several instances of poor service to decide whether the internet companies and their professional staff are working to the same standards as those expected in the high street.
They claim:
- 'Many of the online suppliers, having never seen the patient to measure them, use an estimated average PD. This is particularly worrying considering many internet companies also supply lenses in excess of 5 dioptres. Clearly a significant amount of prismatic effect could be induced by using an inaccurate interpupillary distance to manufacture lenses of this power'
- 'The Opticians Act specifies that any sale or supply must be effected against a written prescription issued by a registered medical practitioner or ophthalmic optician following a testing of sight by that individual... On most websites, no details of the prescriber are requested, making the prescription unverifiable. Furthermore, some internet firms request a disclaimer box is ticked in order to protect themselves against this margin of error. Ticking a disclaimer box does not discharge one's duty of care.'
The letter singles out one internet supplier which, it claims, is currently contravening GOC publicity rules on its homepage.
A spokesman said: 'Rather than complaining about it and not doing anything, we decided to take the lead with this letter. It detailed the possible breaches by these companies regarding the sale and supply of spectacles. We feel it provides some compelling evidence against this modality.
'It has received a good response so far and we are currently in the process of gathering signatories to add to the letter.'
The GOC said that it shared many of the profession's legitimate concerns regarding the sale of optical appliances by internet and mail order without the face to face involvement of a qualified dispenser.
'A working group of members is looking at the legality of such sales, the legal basis for prosecutions, and patient and public safety issues. It will make recommendations to a private session of Council on March 23.'