A week of news - refraction debate

Much is being said about the Association of British Dispensing Opticians ideas for a refraction register.

Plans were outlined in an Optician exclusive last week although it should perhaps come as no surprise that ABDO wants members to increase their scope of practice by refracting.

It is even less surprising that the College of Optometrists has its hangups, as reported in this week's edition.

The General Optical Council has taken more of an arms length approach to the debate, so a review of the Opticians Act does not appear likely in the short term.

Meanwhile, another source of information for this news desk - The Optical Confederation - really does have its hands tied, with representatives from both sides of the coin to look out for.