The facts on CL rules and therapeutics

The British Contact Lens Association has prepared a factsheet on the new UK regulations governing contact lens supply and the optometric use of therapeutic drugs which took effect this summer. It is available free of charge to all BCLA members.

The factsheet seeks to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about how the legislation will work in practice.

One side summarises what the changes to contact lens supply will mean for the practitioner, such as what to include in the contact lens specification, whether there is a standard interval for expiry or for contact lens check-ups, and when a fitting can be considered to be completed.

It also summarises the requirements for selling contact lenses and for aftercare arrangements.

The second side covers the new therapeutic legislation in the same way. It describes what the wider access to ocular drugs for diagnosis and therapy means for all UK-registered optometrists and for those who undertake additional training and accreditation.

It lists the drugs available and the conditions that optometrists are now able to treat, and discusses the implications of supplementary prescriber status.

The factsheet also includes a note about the new GOC rules on carrying over CET points which updates the BCLA's first factsheet, on compulsory CET, sent out at the end of last year.

BCLA president Dr James Wolffsohn said: 'One of the benefits of being a member of the BCLA is to receive factsheets on changes occurring in the UK that affect the practice of contact lenses. This is to assist our members in staying current in their understanding of the situation and to clarify, as much as is possible, emerging legal and professional statements.

'These factsheets are disseminated as soon as possible after the changes are formulated and will be followed up by further advice to BCLA members in our newsletter and email news updates.'