Profession welcomes reglazing Ôclimb-downÕ

Two optical bodies welcomed what they called the Medical Devices AgencyÕs Ôclimb-downÕ on reglazing policy, which was reported in last weekÕs optician.
Last week we reported that from June 30 an MDA directive did not cover the glazing of an existing or new prescription into a patientÕs frame which was not CE-marked (see panel).
This contradicted a previous FMO/FODO statement which reminded the profession that the three-year period to purge non-CE marked frames and lenses from the distribution chain expired on June 30. It also said that all frames and lenses to be glazed must now be CE-marked and patientsÕ current frames must not be reglazed, except in Ôexceptional circumstancesÕ.
Speaking on behalf of both FODO and the FMO, FODO general secretary Bob Hughes said: ÔThis issue has been most frustrating for all of our members.
ÔThe MDA, were fully aware of the guidance we issued to our members last week. Up until now they had refused to put in writing what they had always said in private Ð that they had not intended to include reglazing in the regulations, and that they would not take out any prosecutions relating to reglazing.Õ
He said that members had ÔbombardedÕ the MDA with queries and Ôit was they who achieved this climb-downÕ.