§ Lord Rugby asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ What guidance is given to opticians regarding fractional tolerance in sight testing, so that customers are not dissuaded from purchasing the new "reading glasses" by unnecessary insistence on a very small difference of correction between two lenses in a pair of spectacles.
§ Baroness HooperNone. The writing of a prescription from the results of a sight test is a matter 730 for the professional judgment of the registered practitioner, who may be either a doctor or an ophthalmic optician (optometrist). Where unnecessary prescribing is reported, it is a matter for the General Medical Council or the General Optical Council to take such action deemed necessary by the severity of the offence.