Statement on supply of spectacles and contact lenses during COVID-19 emergency

Document

• Statement on supply of spectacles and contact lenses during COVID-19 emergency

Summary

Uncertain times mean that our registrants may be called upon to work at the limits of their scope of practice and vary their practice for protracted periods of time and in challenging circumstances. While registrants are encouraged to work up to the limits of their competence, refresher training and/or supervision may be needed.

In this statement we hope to reassure our registrants that when they act in good conscience, for the public benefit, exercising professional judgement in all of the circumstances that apply, we will support them.

Along with all other healthcare regulators, we have signed a joint regulatory statement which acknowledges that registrants will need to act differently and deliver care in different ways during the COVID-19 emergency in line with Government and public health guidance.

We will take account of this in fulfilling our regulatory functions along with this statement in response to a question regarding whether it is necessary to attend for a sight test or contact lens fitting/check in order to be able to purchase spectacles and/or contact lenses in the current environment.

Published

19 March 2020 (updated 1 May 2020 and 28 May 2021)