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Ethical Guidelines for Contact Lens Dispensing
Jane S. Buckland, FNAO, FCLSA (H), NCLE (AC)
Contact lenses are Class II Medical devices which the FDA requires be dispensed by qualified
health care providers. The FDA recognized the need to re-classify CL’s in the mid 1960’s in an
effort to protect the consumer…
It is the requirement of the HCP to possess enough knowledge to be able to collect, identify and
classify information to ensure protection of the consumer
I.
Spectacle prescription or contact lens prescription
(10 min)
A.
Identify a contact lens prescription from a spectacle prescription
B.
How is a contact lens prescription different than a spectacle prescription (what do
the numbers/letters mean?)
II.
Basic Ocular Function
A.
Cornea
B.
Lids and Lashes
C.
Tears
(10 min)
III.
Lens Types
A.
Conventional Soft Lenses
1. Spherical
2. Toric
a. Bi-toric
b. Back toric
c. Front toric
3. Multifocal
a. Crescent/linear
b. Concentric
c. Diffractive
4. Multifocal-toric
5. Aspheric
(15 min)
B.
Pre- Packaged lenses may look alike, but can be very different.
IV.
Lens Materials
A.
Hydrogel
1. High water
2. Low water
3. Ionic
4. Non-ionic
5. Silicone
6. SY-HY
7. Silicone elastomers
(5 min)
V.
Lens Modalities
(5 min)
A. Extended wear
B. Daily wear
C. Frequent wear
D. Overnight wear
E. Occasional wear
VI.
Identifying Symptoms of possible consumer problems/complaints
A.
B.
VII.
Contact lens related?
1. Pain
2. Damaged lens
3. Contaminated lens
4. Incorrect modality
5. Outdated Rx
Lens care/ instruction related
1. Improper/incomplete lens care instruction
2. Improper/incomplete use of lens care products
3. Use of non-approved lens care products
4. Multi-purpose solutions (mix and match)
5. Re-branded solutions
Personal Care Products and Contact Lenses
A.
(20 min)
(10 min)
Cosmetics (especially eye)
1. Makeup remover
2. Hair coloring
3. Soaps and detergents
4. Lotions and creams
VIII.
Application and removal of soft contact lenses
(10 min)
A.
Is knowledge of Instruction provided following manufactures
guideline/recommendations?
B.
Is knowledge of Instruction provided from a recognized health care provider?
IX.
Possible Complications
A.
Lenses don’t fit!
B.
C.
D.
(15 min)
Lenses are uncomfortable
Patient NEVER received lens care instruction
DUTY TO WARN
1. When not to refill
2. When to refer to Contact Lens Licensed Professional, or Doctor
X.
Legal repercussions
(10 min)
One could argue; “what would the difference be if a patient had a valid CL RX and filled it
through the internet?” The MAJOR difference is the company filling these Rx’s is responsible for
the outcome (site B&L lawsuit from the 80’s) they probably have a mega legal team to protect
them. Who will be responsible for the persons dispensing these lenses when they are not
licensed providers?
We could turn the table on this and say there is NO consumer protection, who would the
consumer take legal action against if they did have problems?