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Eye & Contact Lens Factsheets

CHOOSING A CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONER

If you are unable to consult us we can often recommend a suitably experienced Contact Lens Specialist nearer to you who we either know personally or by repute. If we cannot help here are a few pointers to assist you in selecting a suitable new practitioner.

FIRSTLY - ALL OPTICIANS ARE DIFFERENT!

NOT ALL CAN FIT LENSES - NOT EVEN A SIGN IN THE WINDOW MEANS THEY DO!

SO HOW DO YOU PICK A NEW CONTACT LENS PRACTITIONER?

Firstly know your 'Opticians' - there are 2 different kinds!
LETTERS AFTER A NAME DO NOT NECESSARILY SIGNIFY ANY CONTACT LENS TRAINING.

A Dispensing Optician (FBDO) is trained to advise and sell glasses. They cannot conduct a Sight Test for specs nor do they have training in recognising abnormal eye conditions. Some take a further qualification (FBDO.CL) and so can fit Contact Lenses under the supervision of an Optometrist (if a Dispenser fits your lenses an Optometrist still has to carry out a full eye sight test and examination every two years)

An Optometrist (B.Sc., FCOptom, MCOptom etc) is University educated, tests sight for glasses and is trained to diagnose abnormal eye conditions that could threaten both sight and general health. An Optometrist can also dispense glasses and fit Contact Lenses.
Optometrists qualify with only a very basic training in Contact Lenses and, if they wish to specialise, a further course (Diploma in Contact Lens Practice -DCLP) is recommended but rarely taken.

Eye Doctors or Ophthalmologists are not Opticians but are medically qualified and have specialised in the treatment of eye diseases and sometimes undertake sight testing for glasses at an Opticians shop but they have no training in Contact Lens fitting.

SO HOW TO MAKE THE BEST CHOICE?

Probably the most reliable way is to look at THE GENERAL OPTICAL COUNCIL Register of Qualified Opticians. This has a section which lists qualified practitioners who have taken the time to undertake at least 6 hours of further Contact Lens training in any one year - this should prove a dedication to, and up to date knowledge of the latest technology. This list is available for reference at Libraries and Post Offices or on the GOC Web Site www.

The British Contact Lens Association also publishes a list of members who, by definition may understand more about Contact Lenses than other Opticians, but this not necessarily a guarantee of experience. Their Web Site is bcla

ONE FINAL POINT

Remember that, however familiar the name on the front of the practice, this says absolutely nothing about the actual practitioner who will fit you with Contact Lenses. Whether a well known commercial multiple or long established private practice, the Contact Lens service is still only as good as the skills, knowledge, lens range and equipment available from the actual practitioner who will treat you.

DO Talk to friends who wear Contact Lenses. They may point you towards a possible individual Optician to consult but do still check on their experience.

DO Be sure that the practice is as well equipped as ours - we don't have over £100,000 of equipment just for show!

DO Be sure the practitioner fit dozens of different type of lenses and is not just limited to one or two basic 'off the peg' mass produced 'brands'.

DO Remember, as well as checks on your lenses, you'll also need to see an Optometrist for a Sight Test & Eye Examination regularly, which a Dispensing Optician cannot do. It may be easier to select an Optometrist who fits Contact Lenses because they will also carry out routine sight tests and the all important internal eye examination as well.

DO Check if the Contact Lens Practitioner you choose is available at least 5 days a week. Many practices use the services of visiting opticians who only have limited equipment, may change from time to time and often are only available every week or so.

DO NOT Accept a sign which says Contact Lens Clinic, Centre etc. as proof of specialisation - some practices display Contact Lens signs and posters but do not even fit lenses.

DO NOT Opt for a practice because of the name over the fascia. Whether a well known commercial multiple or long established private practice, the Contact Lens service is still only as good as the skills, knowledge, lens range and equipment available from the actual practitioner who you consult.

DO Be cautious if you are told you cannot be seen unless you have a copy of your Contact Lens prescription. This usually suggests a lack of the necessary equipment to check lenses. When a new patient consults us our Optometric Assistants can measure lenses quickly in house if we really do need details but generally we always start from square one if a refit is required.

Finally, if we don't see you again, we hope you continue to enjoy wearing your Contact Lenses for many years to come.