WCO Statement on British Columbia
7 May 2010
World Council of Optometry raises concerns regarding the proposed changes to health regulations in British Columbia
The WCO has written to the Health Minister of British Columbia, Canada and the Premier of British Columbia expressing concerns at the proposed introduction of changes in the regulations for optometrists and opticians in British Columbia, which would result in the removal of most of the protections that allow only opticians or optometrists, or workers supervised by them, to dispense spectacles or contact lenses.
The WCO advised of the risks to public health and vision care which would result from the introduction of these proposed changes. The Canadian Association of Optometrists, the British Columbia Association of Optometrists and the University of Waterloo, Ontario have also written expressing their concern at the impact of the proposed changes.
“The introduction of these proposed changes in how spectacles or contact lenses may be dispensed do not reflect best practice in eye and vision care and present a risk to the public” commented Professor George Woo, President of the World Council of Optometry.
The College of Optometrists provides the secretariat for WCO | WCO is registered in England and Wales (Co Registration No. 6950128) | Charity Registration No. 1133429
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Useful links: World Optometry Foundation | Vision 2020 | The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
