Press Release: ABDO updates guidance on contact lens aftercare frequency

The Association of British Dispensing Optician’s (ABDO) National Clinical Committee (NCC) has been working together with members, internal working groups, industry partners and ABDO’s Clinical Lead to ensure ABDO’s Advice and Guidance is current and reflects modern day practice. As part of this review the NCC has updated the ABDO guidance on contact lens aftercare frequency.

ABDO Clinical Lead Max Halford said, “We continually review our policies to ensure that our advice and guidance to members is current. It became apparent that as practitioners now use more innovative materials in clinic ABDO’s previous advice was out- dated. We remain committed to ensuring the highest standard of patient care is delivered by Dispensing Opticians and Contact Lens practitioners based on their professional judgement.”

The new guidance is as follows:

“Contact lens aftercare appointments are a vital part of a patient’s eye health regime. The frequency of these checks should be based purely on the eye care practitioner’s professional judgement of the patient’s clinical needs, the type of contact lens worn, the modality of wear and the practitioner’s structured judgement of the risk of adverse incidents. Neither pressure from the patient nor commercial interests should form any part of this decision-making process.”

BCLA Chief Executive Cheryl Donnelly said: “The BCLA welcomes the decision by ABDO’s National Clinical Committee to amend the ABDO guidance on contact lens aftercare frequency. The evidence-based changes to the guidance will build on the excellent work that ABDO has done to provide its members with the support to deliver patient care within Enhanced Services and specifically Minor Eye Condition Schemes.

“The updated guidance will further empower Contact Lens Opticians with their clinical decision making and judgement, ultimately benefiting their patients upon their recall. Innovation and technology within this sector, both in terms of contact lens materials, designs, modality and care systems and investigative equipment, is significant. It is evolving quickly and guidelines need to evolve too, further enabling the practitioner to deliver the best possible patient care and ensuring happy and healthy contact lens wear for years to come.”

This and all ABDO guidance is available at https://www.abdo.org.uk/regulation-and-policy/advice-and-guidelines/clinical/contact-lenses/

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1.       Media enquiries to Antonia Chitty, 07538 525476, achitty@abdo.org.uk

2.       Hi res images are available

3.       ABDO represents over 6000 qualified dispensing opticians in the United Kingdom. Registered office, 199, Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD.