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Eye Examination Laws in the UK

British law is very specific when it comes to eye tests. Those who carry out the tests must be qualified and competent. Patients receiving eye tests should expect a high and consistent standard of care. Employers have a duty of care to employees to ensure that their eyesight is not being damaged by their work. The law insists that employers pay or provide eye tests for their staff and make a contribution toward corrective lenses, if necessary.

  1. The law and qualified professionals.

    • Everyone who carries out eye tests in the U.K. must by law be a qualified optometrist and be registered with the General Optical Council before they start practicing. It is illegal for a person to advertise themselves as either an optometrist who carries out eye tests, or an optician who dispenses glasses and contact lenses, if they are not qualified. They must have undertaken a three year university degree course and spent a year gaining paid clinical experience before they can register. Their name is held on the council's register of optometrists and opticians. They are also legally bound to keep their skills and knowledge up to date.

    The law and duty of care

    • Professionals who are qualified and registered to carry out eye tests have a legal duty of care to ensure that they are competent and that they conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. They are subject to General Optical Council terms of service and the tests should be carried out under the council's eye examination regulations. Professionals need to offer a consistent level of care and ensure that they keep abreast of any changes or developments within the field. They need to have a good patient manner. Breaches of competency and conduct could result in disciplinary action or criminal charges if the individual carries out eye tests when they're not qualified to do so.

    Eye test laws for employers

    • Employers are required by law to provide or pay for eye examinations and glasses for staff who use computer screens on a regular basis. They are also required to ensure that employees know that they are entitled to free eye tests if they do screen work under the Health and Safety Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations of 1992. Managers are also required to minimize the risk to staff who use screens by ensuring their workspaces are properly designed. Offering staff occupational health assessments and providing desks that are wide enough to allow a worker to sit far enough away from the screen are some of the measures which could help protect someone's eyes.

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