10 March 2020
The General Optical Council (GOC) has sought to clarify its position on the use of lissamine green by registrants.
The GOC notes that lissamine green is available as a CE-marked product for use as a ‘diagnostic agent when superficial corneal or conjunctival change is suspected.’
The optical regulator adds that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency considers lissamine green should be regulated as a medicine, but there is no marketing authorisation in place.
The position statement highlights that there will be circumstances where it is necessary for practitioners to use CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips within the scope of their practice.
It also emphasises the need for optometrists and dispensing opticians to act in the best interests of their patients at all times.
The statement was developed through collaboration with a clinical consensus panel including representatives from the AOP, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the British Contact Lens Association, the College of Optometrists and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians.
GOC chief executive and registrar, Lesley Longstone, shared: “We hope [the statement] will give registrants clarity and reassurance about using CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips within the scope of their clinical practice.”
Clinical director at the AOP, Dr Peter Hampson, welcomed the GOC statement. “We’re pleased that they have now set out a position which clarifies use for practitioners,” he said.
“This pragmatic approach will mean that optometrists and contact lens opticians, who deem lissamine green the most appropriate way to assess their patients eye health, can do so without being concerned that they may face regulatory action,” Dr Hampson emphasised.
The GOC notes that lissamine green is available as a CE-marked product for use as a ‘diagnostic agent when superficial corneal or conjunctival change is suspected.’
The optical regulator adds that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency considers lissamine green should be regulated as a medicine, but there is no marketing authorisation in place.
The position statement highlights that there will be circumstances where it is necessary for practitioners to use CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips within the scope of their practice.
It also emphasises the need for optometrists and dispensing opticians to act in the best interests of their patients at all times.
The statement was developed through collaboration with a clinical consensus panel including representatives from the AOP, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, the British Contact Lens Association, the College of Optometrists and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians.
GOC chief executive and registrar, Lesley Longstone, shared: “We hope [the statement] will give registrants clarity and reassurance about using CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips within the scope of their clinical practice.”
Clinical director at the AOP, Dr Peter Hampson, welcomed the GOC statement. “We’re pleased that they have now set out a position which clarifies use for practitioners,” he said.
“This pragmatic approach will mean that optometrists and contact lens opticians, who deem lissamine green the most appropriate way to assess their patients eye health, can do so without being concerned that they may face regulatory action,” Dr Hampson emphasised.
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