COVID-19

All of the UK is currently in the Green phase. 

You should now follow our updated Guidance for Professional Practice and your nation’s infection prevention and control guidance for healthcare settings.  

Further resources

UKHSA

Nation specific guidance:

National infection prevention and control manual for England

Northern Ireland Regional Infection Prevention and Control Manual

Scottish National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM)

National infection presentation and control manual for Wales (in partnership with NHS Scotland)

Summary of COVID-19 guidance

We have summarised COVID-19 guidance applicable at different stages of the pandemic below.

During both the red and amber phases of the pandemic practices should:

  • Put appropriate infection control, practice modifications, and social distancing procedures in place
  • Ensure there is telephone/video review to determine COVID-19 status and level of eyecare need
  • Provide services remotely where possible and in the patient’s best interests
  • Ask the patient to attend the practice alone where possible and reduce the number of people in the consulting room
  • Ask patients to wear a face covering where possible
  • Conduct a risk assessment
  • Keep up to date with guidance published by UK governments.

Optometrists should:

  • Wear PPE if seeing patients face to face
  • Use alternatives to aerosol generating procedures (microblepharoexfoliation or Alger brush) until the green phase
  • Adapt their routine to reduce close contact with patients and streamline consultations to only do tests that are clinically necessary, rather than ‘blanket testing’ all patients in a category. Annotate the record accordingly
  • Make it clear on the record what adjustments have been made to the routine or decision making
  • Keep up to date with guidance published by UK governments.

What this means:

  • When a government or health service suspends routine primary care due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Services provided

What this means:

  • Ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with restrictions in place, but primary care remains open for routine services. Primary care services continue to enable the prioritisation of emergency/urgent and essential care on a needs and symptoms-led basis.

Services provided

What this means:

  • Social distancing requirements removed. COVID-19 related PPE is no longer required*. Prioritisation of care based on each nation’s regular local protocols.

Services provided

  • Resume all services on an open access basis.
  • Re-introduction of aerosol generating procedures

*UKHSA continues to recommend universal masking in all health care settings as a precaution to prevent the risk of transmission of respiratory infections including SARS-CoV-2. All staff should continue to wear a fluid-resistant face mask in the green phase as instructed by UKHSA. All people/ patients visiting health care settings should continue to be recommended to use a face covering as recommended by each nations health system. 

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Essential reading

COVID-19 FAQs

Read on for the answers to your COVID-19 questions, covering a range of topics from driving and HES referrals to PPE and tonometry.

COVID-19: National news and information

We’ve been working with governments and eye health organisations across the UK to ensure that you have the all the latest news, information and regulations relating to optometry and COVID-19 in your nation.

COVID-19: Member updates archive

Since our first update on 20 March 2020, right at the start of lockdown, we’ve been providing timely, relevant news, information and guidance that you can trust.

More on COVID-19

Amber Phase: our letter to employers

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Live Q&A on delivering eye care during the current lockdown

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We respond to the GOC's COVID-19 statements consultation

The General Optical Council (GOC) sought views on how they can continue to support registrants and the optical sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Answering your questions on the Amber Phase

Watch our video and read our FAQs for more information on eye care provision under the new national restrictions.

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Eye care provision under new national restrictions

Yesterday, the Prime Minister and First Minister for Scotland announced new national restrictions to help tackle the rising number of coronavirus infections and ease pressure on NHS and related health

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More areas in England to move to Tier 4

Today’s announcement will see more areas in England move to Tier 4 lockdown arrangements.

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Amber phase guidance for Tier 4

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COVID-19: Moving into Tier 4

We explain how additional restrictions will affect optometrists working in Tier 4 areas.

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New variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus: Key information

We summarise the current evidence relating to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus for optometrists.

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COVID-19: Additional restrictions in Northern Ireland

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Northern Ireland will affect optometrists.

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COVID-19: Alert level 4 announced in Wales

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Wales will affect optometrists.

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Play your part in protecting UK health and social care workers

Participate in the government-funded UK-REACH study to help understand why people from certain ethnic minorities are more likely to have severe COVID-19.

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Annex 3 World Health Organization guidance on handrubbing and handwashing techniques

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COVID-19 vaccine update for England

The College has been involved in discussions with NHSE to ensure optometrists are given access to COVID-19 vaccinations as early as possible.

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Thank you for supporting patients throughout the pandemic

Optical bodies have grouped together to recognise the efforts of the optical profession to provide the best possible care for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Infection control

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COVID-19: Additional restrictions in Scotland

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Scotland will affect optometrists.

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Optometrists advised to remain open in England during lockdown

In line with the government’s new national restrictions in England, we have advised members that all practices remain open to provide services.

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COVID-19: England lockdown

Update on optometric practice following the Government's announcement of new national restrictions in England

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COVID-19 Vaccines – an optometrist’s guide

As the pandemic continues to affect people’s lives across the UK, interest in a viable vaccine is growing. The College's Director of Research, Michael Bowen looks at what guidance optometrists can offer patients on potential COVID-19 vaccines.

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COVID-19: Wales National Firebreak

Mark Drakeford, First Minister for Wales, has announced additional restrictions from 6pm on Friday 23 October 2020 for two weeks.

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College responds to petition on examination testing times

We are aware of a petition regarding examination testing times during the pandemic. Read our statement.

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Mask management: Dry eyes and misty glasses

College of Optometrists issues advice as part of National Eye Health Week

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