Acts or activities constituting Optometry, Opticianry and Contact Lens Practice

A. Acts or activities constituting "Optometry"

1. Refraction

2. Prescribing of optical appliances.

3. Detecting abnormalities of the eye using the following methods:

   1. binocular vision tests;

   2. ophthalmoscopy or funduscopy;

   3. retinoscopy;

   4. slit-lamp examination;

   5. tonometry; and

   6. visual field testing.

4. Any other type of practice of eye care which is part of the practice of opticianry.

B. Acts or activities constituting "Opticiantry"

1. Refraction for persons of 8 years of age or older

2. Interpreting prescriptions of medical practitioners and optometrists.

3. Supplying, preparing and dispensing of all optical appliances, except contact lenses.

4. Fitting, adjusting and adapting of all optical appliances, except for contact lenses, to the human face and eyes in accordance with the prescriptions of legally qualified medical practitioners and optometrists.
   
   To perform refraction, an Optician must have the relevant training and competencies:

   1. Optician with less than 1 year of experience as at 1 Jan 2008 will be required to complete the ACOPOD + R course.

   2. Optician with at least 5 years of experience as at 1 Jan 2008 will be required to pass an Opticianry competency test (with refraction) within 2 tries.

   3. Optician with more than 1 year but less than 5 years of experience will be required to complete a 2 year modular Upgrading Programme in Opticianry (with refraction).

   4. Optician who was also licensed as a Contact Lens Practitioner.

Opticians registered in the following category can perform refraction:

1. Optician (Dispensing and Refraction)

2. Optician (Contact Lens Practice)

C. Acts or activities constituting "Contact lens practice"

1. Explaining the risks involved in the use of contact lenses.

2. Counselling on the proper use of contact lenses.

3. Prescribing and fitting contact lenses.

4. Providing aftercare to the clients, including monitoring to detect, prevent and manage problems or complications arising from the use of contact lenses prescribed, fitted or supplied in the course of his practice as a contact lens practitioner and dealing with such problems or complications.