The Opticians act as amended - Here are the guidelines and opticians legal obligations to you noted on the College of Optometrists Website regarding the issuing of new prescriptions after a sight test. You can bring your prescription to us or any glasses manufacturer or provider if you'd like glasses made up by us or someone other than the optician providing the eye test.

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https://www.college-optometrists.org/clinical-guidance/guidance/knowledge,-skills-and-performance/prescribing-spectacles#Issuingprescriptions

 

A330

Immediately after carrying out an NHS or private sight test you must issue:

1. a prescription or

2. a statement indicating that no prescription is necessary.121 

A331

If there is no clinically significant change in the prescription, you must issue the prescription and a statement saying that there is no clinical change.

A332

You must include all the required information on the prescription as set out in the Sight Testing (Examination and Prescription) (No. 2) Regulations, paragraph 5.122

A333

You should write prescriptions according to British Standards.123

A334

You should clearly indicate on the prescription whether the spectacles are only for specific purposes.

A335

You should indicate on the prescription if the patient is registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired. This is because a prescription you issue to a child under 16, or a person who is registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired, can only legally be dispensed by, or under the supervision of, a registered: 

1. optometrist

2. dispensing optician, or

3. doctor.

A336

You remain responsible for any prescriptions you have issued, irrespective of where the patient chooses to buy their spectacles.

A337

When you give the patient their prescription, you should explain your findings and the type of lenses that you recommend.

A338

You should consider the patient’s risk of falling when advising on bifocal or varifocal use.124

A339

You should advise the patient if you think their prescription may change soon, for example if they are going to undergo cataract surgery. The patient can then decide whether they wish to have spectacles made in the meantime.