# UK law says only a registered optometrist, dispensing optician or doctor may fit a contact lens, and defines fitting as assessing whether the lens meets the person's needs

Page: https://flyvolo.ai/en/changes/ev-20050322-optometrist-9
Date: 2005-03-22 · Stage: Constraint
Can this record move a task judgement? yes
Occupation: https://flyvolo.ai/en/careers/optometrist

## Scope

United Kingdom. The statute says a person who is not a registered medical practitioner, registered optometrist or registered dispensing optician must not fit a contact lens for an individual, with exceptions for supervised students, and makes contravention a criminal offence punishable by a fine; it defines fitting as assessing whether a contact lens meets the needs of the individual and, where appropriate, providing lenses for a trial period. The current wording dates from an amendment in force from 22 March 2005. The restriction is shared with dispensing opticians and doctors, and it does not stop a registered person from using automated instruments.

## Source

- legislation.gov.uk — Opticians Act 1989, section 25 (Fitting of contact lenses), as amended with effect from 22 March 2005 — https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1989/44/section/25 (primary source)

## What this means

In the UK, deciding whether a contact lens suits someone is reserved by law to a registered person.

## What it does not show yet

Shared with dispensing opticians and doctors, and silent on the instruments a registered person may use.

## How to verify it yourself

Open the Opticians Act 1989, section 25 on legislation.gov.uk and find "must not fit a contact lens for an individual".


More: https://flyvolo.ai/llms.txt