05 April 2017

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists publishes refractive surgery standards guidance for ophthalmologists

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCO) have published guidance on refractive surgery standards for surgeons. The new standards are expected to be implemented by 1 June 2017.

David Hewlett, Chief Executive of FODO and Optical Confederation member said:

"Having commented substantively on earlier drafts, we look forward to studying this guidance and any new evidence with interest. In the meantime we are consulting on guidance for providers and wider multi-disciplinary teams which is where the majority of safe and high-quality refractive surgery now takes place. Multi-disciplinary working is also the way of the future and we are looking to fill this current gap in support for providers and other professions engaged in surgery."

David Hewlett continues: "We are very supportive of an agreed refractive surgery dataset and an agreed, independent data and analysis repository so that we can continuously learn, improve and become more patient-focussed across the refractive surgery sector as a whole. We are also consulting on further patient protection measures for the rare occasions when trust breaks down, which we would expect all providers and regulators to support, to make refractive surgery across the board as safe and successful as it can be."