Posted By Sean Fraser With reference to the Opticians Act 1989, it would be my interpretation that as long as your test provider is medically qualified and/or a registered opthalmic optitian (s24), then the tests they perform are acceptable where they check for signs of injury, disease or abnormality of the eye and then provide a written statement (s26). I'm not aware of any specific testing criteria laid down by the Secretary of State although the Act does provide for this. It may be that your previous optician was doing a more extensive test than your current provider but both are probably well within the law - they have just set their own standards to apply. In the end, using legal acceptability as your base, it comes down to the balance between risk and cost!

Posted By Lisa Fowlie Ian, I suggest you ask your OHS to identify specifically what test they are providing and who is undertaking it. They may then identify that they are undertaking 'vision screening tests' which are not 'eye and eyesight' tests and do not comply with the regulations. Our Occ Health provide a Keystone eye screening test but all individuals still have the option to request a full eye and eyesight test from an appropriate person (as below) They may also identify that they are not using a registered opthalmic optician or a registered medical practioner (preferably with suitable qualifications) which they should be under the guidance to the Regs. We actually get the opticians to complete and sign a form that indicates that the optician is aware of and complying with the visual standard for vdu use recommended by the Association of Optometrists. www.assoc-optometrists.org Also there was a statement of good practice concerning eye tests for dse workers issued by The College for Optometrists www.college-optometrists.org Hope that is of some help. Have a nice day - sunny again in Wales. Regards, Lisa.

Posted By Jason McQueen If I remember rightly, according to the DSE regs keystone test which can be carried out by occ.health centres is adequate in order to meet the requirements of the regs in terms of confirming that the user has had their eyes tested and that records have been kept. However, there is a proviso in the regs which allows for the user to request a full examination to be carried out by a opthalmic optician at the expense of the employer.