London optometrist given 12 month suspension

A General Optical Council fitness to practise committee has suspended London-based optometrist Ajay Patel for 12 months by reason of misconduct.

The suspension was in relation to his failing to refer a patient for appropriate treatment, communicate effectively with the patient and maintain adequate records.

Patel failed to refer a patient for treatment of keratoconus despite being clinically indicated on several occasions.

He did not conduct keratometry or advise the patient of the suspected keratoconus and failed to record details of the proposed management plan.

The committee noted that Patel acted dishonestly when on two occasions he amended clinical records with new and deleted comments.