The General Optical Council (Injury or Disease of the Eye and Contact Lens (Qualifications)) (Amendment) Rules Order of Council 2005

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order approves Rules made by the General Optical Council, which amend those approved by the General Optical Council (Rules relating to Injury or Disease of the Eye) Order of Council 1999 and the General Optical Council (Contact Lens (Qualifications Etc.) Rules) Order of Council 1988.

Rule 2 makes amendments to the Rules relating to Injury or Disease of the Eye 1999 (“the 1999 Rules”). Rule 3 of the 1999 Rules imposes a duty on a registered optometrist or dispensing optician to refer a patient to a registered medical practitioner where it appears that the patient is suffering from an injury or disease of the eye. New rule 7 of the 1999 Rules (inserted by rule 2(4) of the Rules approved by this Order) provides a discretion for the optometrist or dispensing optician to refer to other persons or bodies. New rule 7A of the 1999 Rules sets out various requirements to be met where a referral is made under rule 7. New rule 7B of the 1999 Rules exempts a registered optometrist with a supplementary prescribing specialty who is acting in accordance with a clinical management plan from the duty to refer under rule 3 of the 1999 Rules. Rule 2 of the Rules approved by this Order also makes other minor amendments to the 1999 Rules.

Rule 3 amends rule 15 of the Contact Lens (Qualifications Etc.) Rules 1988 which concerns the duty on registered opticians to provide aftercare to those persons for whom they have supplied contact lenses.