Supervision
A423
If you supervise someone who is supplying the contact lens you must ensure that:
- there are written procedures in place to protect patients' health and safety
- they have full understanding of your respective roles and responsibilities
- they are trained in the procedures to be followed
- you are on the premises and can intervene in the supply, if necessary
- you are in a position to exercise your professional skill and judgement as a clinician155
- arrangements are made for the patient to receive aftercare in so far as, and for so long as, may be reasonable156
- the audit trail is sufficient so that any errors that occur are drawn to your attention as the supervising optometrist.
A424
Anyone supplying contact lenses under your supervision should:
- check that the contact lenses are for the correct person
- check that the specification is current, and that the patient’s supply of contact lenses will not take them past the expiry date of their specification
- check that the contact lenses that are supplied are those specified in the patient’s contact lens specification
- ensure the patient knows which contact lens is for which eye
- ensure the patient is given written information on care solutions and knows how to handle the contact lenses
- ensure the patient knows how often to replace their contact lenses
- reinforce the need for regular contact lens check-ups
- ensure adequate records are kept
- for zero powered contact lenses, ensure that the patient is fitted with contact lenses if they have no specification for the zero powered contact lenses.
References
155 General Optical Council v Vision Direct, 1989156 Opticians Act 1989 s.27(3B) [Accessed 1 Nov 2023]
See section on Working with colleagues.