M01e1-Introduction Of Optometrists & Opticians Act 2007 Presentation

8/7/2019 M01e1-Introduction Of Optometrists & Opticians Act 2007 Presentation

1/45

Introduction Of

Optometrists and OpticiansAct 2007

(Act no.36 of 2007)Acknowledgement

Module comprises of extracts from following websites

https://www.oob.moh.gov.sg

http://statutes.agc.gov.sg

3/8/11 11Copyright @ M01e1 SYLoh


2/45

Loh

Optometrists & Opticians Act2007

The Act was passed in Parliament in July 2007 to regulatethe practice of Optometry and Opticianry in Singapore.

The purpose of regulation is to ensure that those whoprovide eye care services are properly trained and qualified.

The Act establishes the Optometrists and Opticians Board(the "Board") to regulate optometrists and opticians.

All optometrists and opticians providing eye care services

must be registered with the Optometrists & Opticians Boardto continue practising or to start working as an optician or optometrist from 1 Jan 2008.



3/45

4. (1) There shall be established a body to becalled the Optometrists and Opticians Board,which shall consist of not less than 10 and notmore than 12 members appointed by theMinister, of whom

(a) at least 2 shall be optometrists;

(b) at least 2 shall be opticians;(c) at least one shall be an ophthalmologist;

(d) one shall be the Director or hisre resentative;

II - Optometrists and Opticians BoardOptometrists and Opticians Act 2007

Establishment



4/45

II - Optometrists and Opticians Board

(2) Every member shall hold office for a term not exceeding 3 years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

(3) The Minister may, at any time, revoke the appointment of any member (other than a member insubsection (1)( d ) or ( e )) without assigning any reason.

Functions of Board

5. The functions of the Board are

(a) to approve or reject applications for registration under this Act and to approve any suchapplications subject to such restrictions as it may think fit;

(b) to accredit courses in the practice of optometry and opticianry in Singapore for the purposes of registration;

(c) to issue guidelines on the standards for the practice of optometry and opticianry;

(d) to make recommendations to the appropriate authorities for the training and education of optometrists and opticians;

(e) to determine and regulate the conduct and ethics of optometrists and opticians; and

(f) generally to do all such acts, matters and things as are necessary to be carried out under or for the ur oses of this Act.

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007

Functions



5/45

To approve or reject applications for registration under the ActTo accredit courses in the practice of optometry and opticianry inSingapore

To issue guidelines on the standards for the practice of optometryand opticianryTo make recommendations for the training and education of optometrists and opticians

To determine and regulate the professional and ethical conduct of optometrists and opticians

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007Optometrists and Opticians Board

Functions



6/45

III - REGISTRATION OF OPTOMETRISTS AND OPTICIANS

13. (2) The Register of Optometrists and the Register of Opticians shall contain the following particulars of everyregistered person:(a) his name and residential address;

(b) information as to whether he is practising as a proprietor or an employee;

(c) the registered name of the business or eye care establishment that he operates or isemployed by;

(d) the address of his most current place of work;

(e) the date of his registration as an optometrist or optician;

(f) the qualifications by virtue of which he is registered and the date on which heobtained those qualifications; and

(g) such other particulars as the Board may determine.

Registers




7/45

(3) A registered person shall inform the Registrar in writing of (a) any change in his name, residential address, practice address or other particulars as

may be prescribed, within 28 days of the occurrence of the change; and (b) any alteration or addition to his qualifications.

(4) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (3)( a ) shall beguilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine notexceeding $1,000.

(5) A person who makes a report of a change in his residential address

under section 8 of the National Registration Act (Cap. 201) shall bedeemed to have complied with subsection (3)(a) in relation to hisresidential address on the date on which he makes the report.

III - REGISTRATION OF OPTOMETRISTS AND OPTICIANSOptometrists and Opticians Act 2007

Registers



8/45

15. (1) Any person who desires to carry out anypractice of optometry or opticianry shall make anapplication for registration to the Board in accordance

with the regulations.(2) The Board may, subject to the regulations, register a person to carry out any practice of optometry or opticianry, as the case may be.

(3) The Minister may, in respect of the practice of optometry or opticianry, by regulations makeprovisions for or with respect to the following

matters:

Registration




9/45

16. (1) The Board may refuse to register any applicant who (a) in the opinion of the Board, may not be registered in accordance with theregulations;

(b) in the opinion of the Board, is not of good reputation and character; or

(c) fails to satisfy the Board that he is able to effectively and safely carry out thepractice of optometry or opticianry.

(2) Where the Board refuses to register an applicant, the Board shall by notice inwriting inform the applicant of such refusal.

(3) Any person who is aggrieved by any refusal of the Board under subsection (1)may, within 30 days of the notice given under subsection (2), appeal to the Minister whose decision shall be final.

Refusal of registration




10/45

17. (1) Upon the registration of a person, the Board shall issue tohim a certificate of registration and specify in the certificate thepractice or practices of optometry or opticianry for which theperson is registered.

(2) Where a person has had his registration in respect of anypractice of optometry or opticianry cancelled or suspended under section 20, he shall surrender his certificate of registration to theBoard

(a) within 14 days of being notified by the Board of such cancellation or suspension; or (b) in a case where an appeal is pending under section 22, within such period as theBoard may specify.

(3) Any person who fails to comply with subsection (2) shall be guilty of an offenceand shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

Certificate of registration




11/45

18. (1) A registered person who desires to obtain a practising certificate for thepractice of optometry or opticianry for which he is registered shall make anapplication to the Board in such form and manner as the Board may require.

(2) The application shall be accompanied by the prescribed fee.

(3) A practising certificate shall be valid for such period as the Board maydetermine.

(4) An application for the renewal of a practising certificate shall be made nolater than 30 days before the expiration of the practising certificate and shallbe made in such form and manner as the Board may require.

(5) A registered person who applies for a practising certificate later than 30days before the expiration of the practising certificate shall be liable to pay tothe Board such late application fee as may be prescribed.

(6) Where a person has had his registration in respect of any practice of

optometry or opticianry cancelled or suspended under section 20, he shallsurrender his practising certificate to the Board

Practising certificate




12/45

19. The Registrar shall, from time to time, prepare andpublish on an Internet website a list of the names,addresses, qualifications and dates of qualifications of all persons who (a) are registered as optometrists or opticians; and

(b) have in force practising certificates.

Publication of list of registered persons




13/45

20. (1) Any complaint concerning the conduct of a registered person in his professional capacityshall be made to the Board in such form and

manner as the Board may require.(2) Where the Board receives any complaintagainst a registered person under subsection (1) or otherwise comes to know of any informationconcerning the conduct of a registered person inhis professional capacity, the Board shall notifythe registered person of the complaint or

information and give him an opportunity to be

Power of Board to cancel registration, etc.




14/45

(4) Where a registered person is liable to have hisregistration cancelled on any of the grounds referredto in subsection (3)(e) to (l), the Board may, instead of

cancelling his registration, take one or more of thefollowing measures:(a) censure him;

(b) impose on him a penalty not exceeding $10,000;

(c) order that his registration be subject to such conditions as may beimposed by the Board for a period not exceeding 3 years;

(d) suspend his registration for a period not exceeding 3 years.

(5) Where the Board determines that there are





15/45

Costs

21. (1) Where the Board cancels the

registration of a registered person under section 20(3) or takes any action against himunder section 20(4), the Board may order him to pay such sums as it thinks fit inrespect of the costs and expenses of or incidental to any inquiry or investigationconducted or the taking of action againsthim.





16/45

25. (1) No person shall (a) carry out any practice of optometry or opticianry; or

(b) advertise or otherwise hold himself out to be qualified tocarry out any practice of optometry or opticianry,unless he is a qualified person in respect of the practice of optometry or opticianry in question, and he carries out thatpractice in accordance with the prescribed conditions.

(2) No person shall employ any person who is not aqualified person in respect of a practice of optometryor opticianry to carry out that practice of optometry or

opticianry.

Unlawful engagement in optometry or opticianry

IV - OffencesOptometrists and Opticians Act 2007



17/45

Recovery of fees or charges26. No person shall be entitled todemand, claim, accept, receive, retainor sue for or recover any fee or chargein any court for any act done in

contravention of section 25.Fraudulent registration, etc.27. Any person who (a) procures or attempts to procure registration

IV - OffencesOptometrists and Opticians Act 2007



18/45

31. (1) The Board may appoint one or morepublic officers or officers of the Board asinspectors (a) to investigate the commission of an offence under thisAct;(b) to investigate any complaint or matter in respect of which the Board may take action against registeredpersons under section 20; and(c) to assess the quality and appropriateness of thefacilities and services provided and the practices and

procedures being carried out in relation to any practice of o tometr or o ticianr .

Inspectors

V - InspectionOptometrists and Opticians Act 2007



19/45

ACTS OR ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTING"OPTICIANRY OR THE PRACTICE OF OPTICIANRY

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

2. Interpreting prescriptions of medicalpractitioners and optometrists.

3. Supplying, preparing and dispensing of alloptical appliances.

4. Fitting, adjusting and adapting of all opticalappliances to the human face and eyes inaccordance with the prescriptions of legallyqualified medical practitioners and


The Schedule Part I



20/45

ACTS OR ACTIVITIES CONSTITUTING "OPTOMETRY"OR THE PRACTICE OF OPTOMETRY

1. Refraction.

2. Prescribing of optical appliances.

3. Detecting abnormalities of the eye using thefollowing methods:1. binocular vision tests;

2. ophthalmoscopy or fundoscopy;

3. retinoscopy;

4. slit-lamp examination;

5. tonometry; and

6. visual field testing.


The Schedule Part II



21/45

Registration of Opticians

1. Opticians with less than 1 year of experience in Opticianry as at 1 Jan 2008 must complete theAdvance Certificate of Performance in Ophthalmic Dispensing (ACOPOD) or the AdvanceCertificate of Performance in Ophthalmic Dispensing and Refraction (ACOPOD+R) to beeligible for registration.

2. There are two categories of registration for opticians. Opticians may be registered to performonly dispensing, or perform both dispensing and refraction depending on their qualifications,competence and experience. The competency tests and courses for each category of registration differs.

3. While waiting to complete the competency tests, or while undergoing the approved upgradingprogrammes, you will be permitted to continue practising Opticianry as a conditionallyregistered optician.

4. Currently practising Opticians who do not wish to take relevant competency tests, or approved upgrading programmes will be granted conditional registration for up to 4 years.Thereafter, he will no longer be eligible for registration as an optician unless he completes theACOPOD or the ACOPOD+R.

Registration of opticians is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act

(Act no.36 of 2007).A) Opticians Registration (Grandfathering)




22/45

Registration of OpticiansRegistration of opticians is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act

(Act no.36 of 2007).A) Opticians Registration (Grandfathering)




23/45


1. While undergoing the Advance Certificate of Performance in Ophthalmic Dispensing(ACOPOD) or the Advance Certificate of Performance in Ophthalmic Dispensing andRefraction (ACOPOD+R), you can provide

retail services in an optical shop but you willnot be allowed to practise Opticianry under the Optometrists and Opticians Act.

Registration of opticians is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act

(Act no.36 of 2007).B) Opticians Registration




24/45

Registration of OpticiansRegistration of opticians is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act

(Act no.36 of 2007).


B) Opticians Registration



25/45

To perform refraction, an Optician must havethe relevant training and competencies:

1. Optician with less than 1 year of experience asat 1 Jan 2008 will be required to complete theACOPOD + R course.

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

3. Optician with more than 1 year but less than 5


Performing Refraction




26/45


Performing Refraction


Opticians who do not wish to do refraction will still gothrough the same grandfathering route except that thecompetency test /upgrading programme will not includerefraction. These opticians will be registered as dispensing-only opticians

Hence, there will be three groups of opticians to be registered Opticians with Refraction, Dispensing and Contact Lens Practice

privileges (will close once all CLP opticians are registered) Opticians with Refraction and Dispensing privileges Opticians with Dispensing-only privilege



27/45

1. Optometrists with approved optometry qualifications and at least 1 year practical experience in optometry (before 1 Jan 2008) will be eligible for full registration as an Optometrist.

1. Optometrists with approved optometry qualifications and less than 1year practical experience in optometry will be eligible for provisional registration as an Optometrists.

IMPORTANT NOTEMost if not all optometrists are currently licensed contact lens practitioners.

These optometrists will be eligible to apply for provisional or fullregistration as optometrists

There may be a handful of optometrists who are not contact lens practitioners,mainly because they have non-approved optometry qualifications (not

Registration of OptometristsRegistration of optometrists is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians

Act (Act no.36 of 2007).Optometrists Registration (Grandfathering)




28/45

Application for registration

Approvedlocal/foreign

optometry

qualifications?

At least 1year of

experience?

Fully registeredOptometrist

With at least 1year of approved

practicalexperience?

Reject applicationfor Optometrist

registration

Conditional registrationsubject to approval by

Optometrists & OpticiansBoard

Conditionalregistration

granted?

No

Yes

Yes

No

No

Non-approvedforeign optometry

qualification?

No

Yes

Conditionallyregistered optometrist(up to max of 4 years)

Provisionallyregistered

Optometrist

Optometrist Registration (From 1 Jan 2008)

Yes

No

Yes


R gi t ti


29/45

Licensed ContactLens Practitioner Fully-registered Optician

IMPORTANT NOTE

1. Licensed CLPs who possess optometry qualifications can apply to register as optometrists,

as shown previously.2. Licensed CLPs who do not possess optometry qualifications may convert to optometrists

via competency test or conversion course (see next slide)

3. Licensed CLPs who are fully-registered opticians can continue to engage in contact lenspractice.

All licensed CLPs will be deemed Fully-Registered Opticians under theOptometrists & Opticians Act.

Registrationfor Licensed Contact Lens

Practitioners (CLPs)Registration CLPs is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act (Act

no.36 of 2007).




30/45

At least 5years

experience?

Take optometrycompetency test

Undergo a 2-year

modular ConversionCourse in Optometry(CCOp)

Passoptometry

competencytest within 2

tries?

Yes

Successfullycompletecourse?

Approvedlocal/foreign

optometryqualification?

At least1 year

optometrypractice

experience?

Fully-registeredoptometrist

Yes

No

YesFully-registeredOptician applyfor registrationas Optometrist

Provisionallyregistered

optometrist

No

Licensed Contact Lens Practitioners(Grandfathering)

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Licensed ContactLens Practitioner

For grandfathering only.3/8/11 3030Copyright @ M01e1 SYLoh

R gi t ti


31/45

Registrationfor Licensed Contact Lens

Practitioners (CLPs)Registration CLPs is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act (Act

no.36 of 2007).


Under the Optometrists & Opticians Act, currently licensed contact lens practitionersare deemed fully registered opticians, and you will be allowed to continue contactlens practice, refraction and dispensing as a fully registered optician. However, youwill not be allowed to carry out any other activity constituting thepractice of optometry .

https://www.oob.moh.gov.sg/ahp/registrationpage.jsphttps://www.oob.moh.gov.sg/ahp/registrationpage.jsp


32/45

Registration of OptometristsRegistration of opticians is governed by the Optometrists and Opticians Act

(Act no.36 of 2007).




33/45

Conditionally/Provisionallyregistered practitioner Fully registeredsupervisor Optometrist Optometrist

Optician Optometrist or Optician


Conditionally/Provisionally registeredpractitioner

As a fully registered Optician or Optometrist, you will be able to practise your profession independently. However, if you are conditionally or provisionallyregistered, you would be required to work under the supervision of a fullyregistered practitioner as follows:

d


34/45

Disp sp Ref(> 7 yr) Ref(< 8 yr) CL Practice Basic eye screening, basic eye care

Optometrist Optician (CL) Optician


Overview of Practice


O i d O i i A 2007


35/45

The Optometrists & Opticians Act is a new lawpassed in Parliament in July 2007 to regulate thepractice of Optometry and Opticianry in

Singapore.The Act establishes the Optometrists &Opticians Board to regulate Optometrists and

Opticians through the following:1. Approve or reject applications for

registration;

2. Accredit courses in the practice of Optometry


What is OO Act about?


O i d O i i A 2007


36/45

The purpose of regulation is to ensure that thosewho provide eye care services are properlytrained and qualified.

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007Why do we need to regulate Optometrists & Opticians?


O t t i t d O ti i A t 2007


37/45

In Part I of the Schedule of the Optometrists &Opticians Act, the acts or activities constituting"Opticianry" or "The practice of Opticianry" are

specified as follows:1. Refraction for persons of 8 years of age or

older.

2. Interpreting prescriptions of medicalpractitioners and optometrists.

3. Supplying, preparing and dispensing of all

optical appliances.


What is Opticianry?




38/45

In Part II of the Schedule of the Optometrists& Opticians Act, the acts or activitiesconstituting "Optometry" or "The practice of Optometry" are specified as follows:1. Refraction.2. Prescribing of optical appliances.3. Detecting abnormalities of the eye using

the following methods:

1. binocular vision tests;


What is Optometry?




39/45

'Grandfathering' allows opticians and optometrists toregister with the Board even if they do not possess therequisite qualifications for registration. The'grandfathering' provisions for registration apply only toopticians and optometrists who are already in practiceprior to 1 January 2008.

Optometrists and opticians will need to submit their

applications on or before 31 July 2008 to be eligible for registration under the 'grandfathering' provisions.


What is 'Grandfathering?




40/45

Opticians without approved qualifications and arecurrently practising the profession will be consideredfor conditional registration with the Board .

Those with at least 5 years of experience will berequired to take specific competency tests for conversion to full registration.

Those with less than 5 years of experience will berequired to take specific training courses for conversionto full registration.

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007Most opticians do not have any formal qualifications, what are the'grandfathering' provisions for registration of Opticians?




41/45

On successful application, you will be issued with aRegistration Certification, and a Practising Certificate(renewable on expiry). Your name, main practice placeaddress, date of registration, and qualifications will alsobe available on the online registers on the Optometrists& Opticians Board's website.

The following information will also be listed on the

appropriate Registers maintained by the Optometrists &Opticians Board:

1. your name and residential address;

2.

information as to whether you are practising as aro rietor or an em lo ee

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007What will be proof of my registration with the Optometrists &Opticians Board?




42/45

Optometrists and Opticians Act 2007How do optometrists and opticians differ?

Table 1: Acts or Activities Constituting Optometry/Opticianry

Part I: ACTS OR ACTIVITIESCONSTITUTING "OPTICIANRY"OR "THE PRACTICE OFOPTICIANRY"

Part II: ACTS OR ACTIVITIESCONSTITUTING "OPTOMETRY"OR "THE PRACTICE OFOPTOMETRY"

1.Refraction for persons of 8 years of age or older.2.Interpreting prescriptions of medicalpractitioners and optometrists.3.Supplying, preparing and dispensing of alloptical appliances.4.Fitting, adjusting and adapting of alloptical appliances to the human face andeyes in accordance with the prescriptions of legally qualified medical practitioners andoptometrists.

1.Refraction.2.Prescribing of optical appliances.3.Detecting abnormalities of the eye usingthe following methods:

1. binocular vision tests;2. ophthalmoscopy or fundoscopy3. retinoscopy;4. slit-lamp examination;5. tonometry; and6. visual field testing.

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




43/45

1. The duty of care is a legal obligation imposed on anindividual requiring that they adhere to a reasonablestandard of care while performing any acts thatcould foresee ably harm others.

2. The duty of care may exist between individuals withno current direct relationship (familial or contractualor otherwise), but eventually become related in

some manner, as defined by common law.3. A breach of duty of care is considered as negligence.


Duty Of Care




44/45

1. Negligence means conduct that is culpable becauseit misses the legal standard required of a reasonableperson in protecting individuals against foreseeablyrisky, harmful acts of other members of society.

2. Negligence behaviour towards others gives themrights to be compensated for the harm to their body,property, mental well-being, financial status, or

relationships.


Negligence




45/45

1. Every registered dispensing optician has a statutoryduty to immediately refer a patient to a registeredmedical practitioner or directly to a hospital for appropriate medical advice if it appears that apatient is suffering from a disease or injury of theeye.


Duty to Refer

Documents

M01e1-Introduction Of Optometrists & Opticians Act 2007 Presentation