29 June 2020

Amber recovery phase confirmed for all four nations

As of Monday 29 June 2020, all four UK nations are in the amber phase of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

As of Monday 29 June 2020, all four UK nations are in the amber phase of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a significant step in restoring primary eye care services across the UK. We are still in a pandemic with the virus in general circulation, and so sight tests and urgent eye care should continue to be adapted to protect the practitioner, practice team and patients from COVID-19 infection. By following College guidance, clinicians will be able to maintain high levels of infection control, proper PPE usage and scrupulous hand hygiene to keep their practices safe while maintaining their community’s eye health and vision.

There are still some differences in how care will be delivered and prioritised across the nations, so members should refer to the College’s recovery guidance and recovery phase table, in conjunction with each nation’s advice.

This article was correct at time of publication. 

Related further reading

As society continues to open up, the Optometry in Practice editorial board thought it opportune to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic to date and assess the impact on both eyecare professionals and our patients.

It is rare for respiratory viruses to cause eye infections, writes Kim Thomas, but they may use the eye as a portal of entry. And what is the mechanism behind their travel to the respiratory system?

How do clinicians choose between generic and branded drugs, balancing the need for patient safety against cost? Kathy Oxtoby takes a look.