Telephone-based consultancy for replacement glasses and contact lenses – guidance and templates

We are encouraged by the GOC’s response to our concerns regarding patients’ need for eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. During this period, we want to ensure patients can still access replacement contact lenses and spectacles safely. This guidance gives members confidence that they will be able to work within the GOC’s standards of practice and act in the best interest of the patient.

The ability to supply optical appliances by telephone review when an eye examination or contact lens aftercare is due is both a sensible and proportionate approach to achieve this. We have developed contact lens and spectacle telephone review forms to help support professionals to deliver the best possible care during this time, when some patients may not be able to attend the practice due to self-isolation. The templates will help ensure practitioners can deliver consistent telephone-based consultations and provide a robust record of the review. Following a telephone review, patients should be invited to attend for eye care in person, once it becomes safe to do so.