CLOs in Wales can now deliver acute eye care services

Contact lens opticians (CLOs) in Wales can participate in the Eye Health Examination Wales (EHEW) scheme.

After discussion between the Welsh Government, Optometry Wales, Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the EHEW clinical lead, it has been confirmed that all practicing CLOs can apply to Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) to gain EHEW accreditation.

Upon completion of online training modules, the CLO will attend an ABDO extended services training day in collaboration with WOPEC followed by the WOPEC EHEW accreditation training.

Commenting on CLO participation, Dr Nik Sheen, director of WOPEC, said: ‘Delivery of the EHEW service now enables CLOs to see those patients presenting with an acute eye care problem. This is great news for Wales and particularly practices that are seeing increasing numbers of these patients so that the skills and expertise of contact lens opticians can be utilised fully’.