Optical Registration Board (Regulation and Control of Prescribing and Dispensing of Prescriptions and Sale of Spectacles) Bye Law 2018.
Statutory Instruments
Source: Statutory Instruments

num: 1
paragraphs: This Bye-Law may be cited as the Optical Registration Board (Regulation and Control of Prescribing and Dispensing of Prescriptions and Sale of Spectacles) Bye Law 2018.
num: 2
paragraphs: This Bye-Law shall come into operation on the 14 day of March 2018 and the Optical Registration Board (Regulation and Control of Prescribing and Dispensing of Prescriptions and Sale of Spectacles) Bye-Law 2015 is hereby revoked.
num: 3
paragraphs: In this bye-law, except where the context otherwise requires:-
(a) contact lenses,
(b) pince-nez, and
(c) monocles,
(i) afocal goggles or similar articles,
(ii) afocal sunglasses or similar articles, or
(iii) ready-made reading spectacles;
num: 4
paragraphs: An optometrist shall carry out an eye examination to determine whether or not the patient needs to use or wear spectacles. If the optometrist determines that the patient needs to use or wear spectacles, he or she shall issue a prescription for spectacles and shall give a signed and dated prescription for spectacles to the patient, if requested.
num: 5
paragraphs: If the prescription is for contact lenses, paragraph 12 (c) shall also apply.
num: 6
paragraphs: A dispensing optician or optometrist shall only dispense prescriptions for spectacles that have been prescribed either by a registered medical practitioner or by an optometrist in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 above.
num: 7
paragraphs: If the prescription is for contact lenses, it may be dispensed only by a dispensing optician on the contact lenses division of the register or by an optometrist or by a registered medical practitioner and paragraphs 11 and 12 shall also apply.
num: 8
paragraphs: No dispensing optician or optometrist shall sell or offer for sale any spectacles except on a prescription issued following an examination by a registered medical practitioner or by an optometrist in accordance with paragraphs 4 and 5 and dispensed in accordance with paragraphs 6 and 7 or to replace broken spectacles or lenses.
num: 9
paragraphs: A dispensing optician not on the contact lenses division of the register shall not conduct the sale of contact lenses or engage in the fitting of contact lenses or the aftercare of contact lens patients, but is not otherwise prevented from assisting in the sale or in the conduct of the sale of contact lenses provided such sale is carried out in accordance with this bye-law and with section 81B of the Act.
num: 10
paragraphs: Where contact lenses are to be fitted or sold as replacements of existing lenses or as supplies of replacement contact lenses, the dispensing optician or optometrist must be satisfied that all his or her professional obligations have been fulfilled and that the provisions of paragraph 12 have been complied with.
num: 11
paragraphs: Where such sales are proposed by mail order or the internet, the dispensing optician or optometrist shall provide or arrange the provision of services to fulfil the professional obligations attached to contact lens sales.
num: 12
paragraphs: The following are the provisions referred to in paragraph 10:
(a) A valid prescription and lens specification shall be required by the seller to be dated within twenty four months, or such shorter period as may be specified therein, of the date of sale. This document must bear the name and signature of the prescriber.
(b) Where contact lenses are to be dispensed or sold, the period of validity of the prescription and specification referred to in sub-paragraph (a) shall also apply.
(c) All contact lenses shall be to the exact specification and manufacturer as stated on the patient’s prescription. The quantity sold must allow for use within the validity of the prescription.