Key Takeaways
- The College of Optometrists is accepting public feedback on the 2026 Guidance for Professional Practice
- Proposed revisions include more than 75 amendments covering myopia management, infection control, glaucoma referrals, dyslexia-related advertising claims and a new duty of candour
- Three new guidance sections address artificial intelligence, expanding scope of practice, and workplace culture and governance, including expectations around appointment scheduling and patient safety
The College of Optometrists has opened a public consultation on the next edition of its Guidance for Professional Practice, inviting members, eye care professionals, patients and the public to comment on proposed changes before the consultation closes on August 3, 2026.
The guidance, which is updated every 3 years, sets the professional standards that underpin optometric practice across the UK. According to the College, the 2026 edition represents the most substantial revision in recent years, with more than 75 amendments to existing guidance and the introduction of three entirely new sections designed to reflect the evolving landscape of eye care.
Among the proposed revisions are updates addressing myopia management and the use of professional titles, alongside a new public protection position prohibiting misleading advertising claims related to dyslexia. The draft also includes revised infection prevention and control guidance aligned with Royal College of Ophthalmologists recommendations for the disinfection of reusable instruments and fitting lenses, updated glaucoma referral and community pathway guidance, and the introduction of a professional duty of candour that would apply to all registrants.
The consultation also proposes three new guidance sections focused on emerging issues affecting contemporary optometric practice.
A section on artificial intelligence and new technologies outlines expectations for clinical accountability, data governance, transparency with patients and AI literacy as AI-enabled tools become increasingly integrated into clinical practice.
A second section addresses expanding scope of practice, providing guidance for optometrists taking on new clinical responsibilities while maintaining patient safety.
The third new section, culture and governance, introduces expectations for optical businesses to avoid scheduling practices that could compromise patient safety, including routine overbooking and so-called "ghost clinics." It also emphasizes allowing sufficient appointment time to meet the needs of individual patients, including children, neurodivergent patients and those with complex care requirements.
"This is an important opportunity for everyone with an interest in eye care to have their say and influence the standards that underpin safe, effective and high-quality eye care," said Denise Voon, MCOptom, Prof Cert Med Ret OptPE, clinical advisor at the College of Optometrists. "We want to ensure the Guidance reflects people's real-world experiences, whether they're a front-line optometrist, practice owner or patient, as well as grounding the Guidance in evidence-based research. Our proposed updates reflect the realities of the modern eye care landscape, including the rapid adoption of AI, expanding clinical roles and the need for workplace cultures that support professional judgement and patient-centred safe and effective care."
Following the consultation and review of stakeholder feedback, the College plans to publish the fifth edition of the Guidance for Professional Practice in winter 2026.
