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(Issued 22-12-2008)
Updated August 2011
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Additional info at foot of pageIntroduction
1. The Advice and Guidelines which follow, although not exclusive, are issued in pursuance of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians’ (ABDO) objectives in maintaining for the public benefit the highest standards of professional competence and conduct. With changing circumstances the Association expects its attention will be drawn to new forms of practice or duties which might require fresh or amended advice to the profession.
2. This Advice and Guidelines replaces that issued in 2003. It also supersedes any previous electronic guidance.
3. The profession of dispensing opticians was created in 1925 and was given statutory registered professional status in 1958.
4. The profession is regulated partly by legal provisions and partly by advice issued by ABDO.
[References] [Legal Provisions]
2. This Advice and Guidelines replaces that issued in 2003. It also supersedes any previous electronic guidance.
3. The profession of dispensing opticians was created in 1925 and was given statutory registered professional status in 1958.
4. The profession is regulated partly by legal provisions and partly by advice issued by ABDO.
[References] [Legal Provisions]
HOW TO ACCESS THE ADVICE AND GUIDELINES
Immediate access to a specific area of the advice and guidelines is available via direct links between each heading in the contents index and the relevant information in the associated section. The documents can also be viewed in full, or as downloadable PDFs.
Immediate access to a specific area of the advice and guidelines is available via direct links between each heading in the contents index and the relevant information in the associated section. The documents can also be viewed in full, or as downloadable PDFs.
SECTION 1: PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
General (updated: 16/03/2010)
Vetting and Barring Scheme (added 23/12/2009) (updated: 19/08/2010)
Supervision of Trainees (updated: 22/03/2010)
Duty to Refer (updated: 25/08/2011)
Clinical Support - Use of Drugs (also see Section 5) (updated 16/03 24/07/10)
Domiciliary Visits (updated: 16/03/2010)
SECTION 2: OPHTHALMIC DISPENSING
SALE AND SUPPLY OF SPECTACLES
Advice (updated: 22/03/2010)
Supervision of Dispensing (updated: 22/03/2010)
Particulars to be included in a prescription or statement (updated: 16/03/2010)
Issue of Duplicate or Copy Prescriptions (updated: 15/02/2011)
Safety Spectacles (added 16/03/2010)
3D TV spectacles (added 30/05/2011)
LOW VISION PRACTICE
SECTION 3: CONTACT LENS PRACTICE
FITTING POWERED CONTACT LENSES
Guidelines (updated: 25/08/2011)
Advice to patients prior to fitting (updated: 16/03/2010)
Fitting powered contact lenses (updated: 24/07/2010)
Referral to a colleague (updated 16 & 22/03/2010)
Contact lens specification (updated: 15/02/2011)
Supervision (updated: 22/03/2010)
SUPPLYING POWERED CONTACT LENSES
ZERO POWERED CONTACT LENSES – FITTING AND SUPPLY
SECTION 4: INFECTION CONTROL
Please read this section of the guidance carefully as it has new important text and the paragraphs have been re-arranged and re-numbered, although the original contents are not substantially changed from the previous version [12.08]. The previous version [12.08] has been archived.
Guideline (updated: 15/02/2011)
General (updated: 15/02/2011)
Introduction (updated: 15/02/2011)
Principles of cleaning, sterilisation and disinfection (updated: 15/02/2011)
Hand hygiene (updated: 15/02/2011)
Hand washing agents (updated: 15/02/2011)
Hand washing technique (updated: 15/02/2011)
Airborne infection (updated: 15/02/2011)
Situation of increased concern (updated: 15/02/2011)
Infection control measures (updated: 15/02/2011)
Contamination via contact lens solutions and medicine bottles (updated: 15/02/2011)
The re-use of contact lenses and ophthalmic devices (updated: 15/02/2011)
Decontamination of contact lenses and ophthalmic devices (updated: 15/02/2011)
Recognised risk categories (updated: 15/02/2011)
Safe disposal of waste (updated: 15/02/2011)
Further information, Acknowledgments & Bibliography (updated: 15/02/2011)
SECTION 5: PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
Professional Discipline (updated: 22/03/2010)
Use and supply of pupil dilating drugs (updated 16/03/2010 & 27/07/2010)
Practice policies and government regulations (updated: 25/2/2011)
Disposal of a Practice (updated: 22/03/2010)
APPENDICES
APPENDIX A
[1] GOC Codes of Conduct (Updated 16/03/2010)
APPENDIX B
APPENDIX C
APPENDIX D
APPENDIX E
APPENDIX F
[2] British/CEN/ISO Standards (updated: 25/08/2011)
APPENDIX G
Useful websites (updated: 19/10/2011)
APPENDIX H
Form for the issuing of Pupillary Distance (added: 22/03/2011) (updated: 27/05/2011)
The following documents are in PDF format and can be:
- Viewed and printed by clicking the link
- Downloaded, by right-clicking the link and selecting Save target as ...
Section 1 Professional Conduct Section 2 Ophthalmic Dispensing Section 3 Contact Lens Practice Section 4 Infection Control Section 4 World Health Organisation - Pictorial Advice on Hand Washing Section 5 Practice Management Appendix A [1] GOC Codes of Conduct Appendix A [2] GOC Fitness to Practise procedure Appendix B [1] Contact Lens Records Appendix B [2] Contact Lens Specification Appendix B [2] Contact Lens Specification sample form for personalisation Appendix C Suggested Low Vision Basic Stock Appendix D Advice to ABDO Members concerning Refractive Surgery Appendix E [1] Disability Discrimination Act 1995 Appendix E [2] Mental Capacity Act 2005 Appendix E [3] Model Chaperone Framework for Optometry and Opticians Appendix E [3] Model Chaperone: Sample form for personalisation Appendix E [4] CHRE Guidance on Sexual Boundaries Appendix F [1] Occupational Visual Standards Appendix F [2] British/CEN/ISO Standards Appendix F [3] Medical Devices Directive Appendix G - Useful websites Appendix H - Form for the issuing of Pupillary DistanceAdvice and Guidelines Archive (post 22-12-2008)
Advice and Guidelines Archive (pre 22-12-2008)