Every little helps

What can practitioners do to help protect their businesses now that high-profile high street retailing of contact lenses is a reality?

As one of the supermarkets points out, every little helps, so perhaps it is time practitioners started to spend a little more time providing detail on prescriptions.

As heavily trailed in optician (News, May 27 and July 1) the high street retailers have entered the market in earnest. The shock may have been lessened, but there are still several striking things about Tesco's entry into the market.

The first is the range and price of products on offer. Daily disposables from the major suppliers start at £19 for 30 pairs, coloured lenses, torics and extended wear all make an appearance, the latter from £26.60 for three months' supply.

For those looking for an entry level price why not opt for any number of monthly lenses at £28.12 for six pairs, that's half a year's supply.

Perhaps more shocking for a profession that has jealously guarded technical product information is the quick guide to lenses for those patients who are unsure. It is 'likely' (sic) that the lenses you are wearing, says the Tesco site, are the same as products we supply only repackaged.

Last, but by no means least, is the news that on your checklist you will need to supply your optician's telephone number.

There are clearly opportunities for those fitting contact lenses to be more precise about the lenses they are prescribing and the advice on aftercare and for the profession to test phrases such as 'likely' in law.

It will also be interesting to get feedback on some of those conversations between Tesco and opticians who are telephoned for additional information on their patients' contact lens details. If you have been called by Tesco, and you were free to talk, please let us know how the conversation went.