20 April 2022

Transition to Green Phase

In conjunction with each UK Nation’s health system and government public health bodies, optometry practices are expected to move to “Green” phase in early May 2022.

From that point, the COVID-19 Amber phase guidance will no longer apply. Practices should now start planning to revert to following the College’s Guidance for Professional Practice only. We will alert members when the announcements are made.

This does not, however, mean a return to practice or business as it was before the pandemic. The Guidance for Professional Practice has been updated to incorporate the latest public health infection prevention and control recommendations so optometrists can continue to provide eye care safely and effectively to their patients as part of a “new normal”.     

We will provide further information and resources to explain how the move to Green phase will affect optical practices in the coming weeks.

This article was correct at time of publication. 

Related further reading

Kaye McIntosh on managing patients with nystagmus in the consulting room – patience is key in examinations.

Offering your skills to local communities abroad can be a life-changing experience. In the final article in a mini-series on volunteering in optometry, Sophie Goodchild looks at what optometrists need to consider before they go.

Optometrists can play a vital role in encouraging patients to change unhealthy lifestyle choices and behaviours, says Kellie Smith.