Optometry and Dispensing Opticians

Overview

Optometry and Optical Dispensing are an autonomous, regulated (licensed/registered) healthcare professions and Optometrists are the primary providers of vision care, which includes refraction and dispensing, detection/diagnosis and management of disease in the eye, and the rehabilitation of conditions of the visual system. Whereas Dispensing Opticians dispense and fit spectacles and other optical aids, working from prescriptions written by Optometrists.

The Board is constituted in terms of the Regulations relating to the Constitution of the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians, Regulation No. R. 1250 of 28 November 2008. The current Board will be in office until 2025.

The following professions are registered under our auspices, namely:

Dispensing Opticians
Student Dispensing Opticians
Supplementary Optical Dispensers
Student Supplementary Optical Dispensers
Supplementary Optometrists
Optometrists
Student Optometrists
Orthoptists

Board Members

Constitution of the Board	View document

Background

In terms of Regulation 2 of the Regulations relating to the functions and functioning of the Professional Board, the Professional Board at its first meeting each year, has to appoint Committees which would function until the first meeting of the Professional Board in the following year.

The Board also appoints the Chairperson of each Committee, except in the case of the Executive Committee of the Professional Board, which is chaired by the Chairperson of the Professional Board. The composition, quorum and terms of reference of each Committee have to be determined by the Professional Board.

Board Members
Chairperson	Ms Y Naidoo
Vice -Chairperson	Mr F Nxumalo
Board Members	Ms A de la Rey Prof L Sithole Mr S Gumede Ms N Moloto Ms C Botha Mr F Mphaga Prof K Mashige Mr V Khanyile Mr C Mohalaba Mr L Gabela Mr M Phala

Announcements

Expanded List of Medicines for Use by Optometrists in Ocular Therapeutics
The Minister of Health has, in terms of section 22A (2) of the Medicines and Related Substances Act,1965 (Act No. 101 of 1965), on the recommendation of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), made and updated the Schedules. Government Gazette 43051 R219 Government Gazette 43051 R220

Scope Infringement on "Hearing Assessment" and "Fitting of Hearing Aids Performed by other Practitioners and/or "Frontline" Staff in Optometry/Dispensing Opticianry Practice
Following numerous queries and complaints received by the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians (“the Professional Board”) regarding the performance of certain clinical and professional acts falling within the scope of the Speech, Language and Hearing Professions by practitioners registered within the profession of Optometry and Dispensing Opticians who are not qualified and competent to perform such clinical acts. The Professional Boards for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians and Speech, Language and Hearing Professions saw it fit to remind, inform and educate practitioners and the members of public that >>> read more

Scope Infringement on "Hearing Assessment" and "Fitting of Hearing Aids Performed by other Practitioners and/or "Frontline" Staff in Optometry/Dispensing Opticianry Practice

Following numerous queries and complaints received by the Professional Board for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians (“the Professional Board”) regarding the performance of certain clinical and professional acts falling within the scope of the Speech, Language and Hearing Professions by practitioners registered within the profession of Optometry and Dispensing Opticians who are not qualified and competent to perform such clinical acts. The Professional Boards for Optometry and Dispensing Opticians and Speech, Language and Hearing Professions saw it fit to remind, inform and educate practitioners and the members of public that >>> read more

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Policy and Guidelines

The guidelines for the Board include the Ethical Rules of Conduct in respect of which we may take disciplinary steps.

Exam Guidelines	View document
Restoration Guidelines	View document
Guidelines for Volunteer Practitioner	View document

Clinical Guidelines
Basic eye exam	View document
Fitting of contact lenses	View document
Vision screening and mobile	View document
Low vision	View document
Children - Vision screen	View document
Minimum Equipment lists	View document

Mobile Practice Guidelines
Mobile Practice guidelines	View document
Application form for operating a Mobile Practice	View document
Approved applications for license to operate a Mobile Practice	View document

Guidelines for Supervised Practise
Guidelines	View document
Annexure A	View document
Annexure B	View document

Foreign Qualified Guidelines
Foreign Qualified Practitioners Guidelines	View document
Checklist for Evaluation of Documents Submitted by Foreign Qualified Practitioners	View document

Rules & Regulations

The rules and regulations of the Board include the following:
Constitution of the Board	View document

Regulations
Regulations relating to the conditions under which registered orthoptists may practice their profession – GN R2364/76	View document
Regulations relating to the registration of optometry students – GN R1845/77	View document
Regulations relating to the registration by optometrists of additional qualifications – GN R1103/84	View document
Regulations relating to the constitution of the professional board for optometry and dispensing opticians – GN R1250/2008	View document
Regulations relating to names that may not be used in relation to the profession of optometry – GN 1212/2004	View document
Regulations defining the scope of the profession of optometry and dispensing opticians – GN R280 / GG 29748 / 20070405	View document

Rules
Rules relating to the registration of optometrists – BN 108/96	View document
Rules for the registration of dispensing optician – BN 5/98	View document
Rules for the registration of orthoptists	View document
Rules relating to continuing education and training in optometry and dispensing opticians – BN 49/2002 (Repealed by BN 29 / GG 29716 / 20070323)	View document

Professionals

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