Expanding medicine access for optometrists: A step forward for eye care

The UK Government has opened a consultation that could significantly reshape the delivery of eye care services. The proposal aims to expand the medicines exemptions within the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, granting optometrists and contact lens opticians (CLOs) access to a broader range of medications. This change is designed to make eye care more accessible, efficient, and patient-focused.

Current regulations mean that optometrists without an independent prescribing qualification often need to refer patients to GPs for simple prescriptions. If implemented, optometrists will be able to supply prescription only medicines that are currently restricted to additional supply (AS) optometrists only. These include antibacterial and anti-allergy medications, alongside the reintroduction of drugs such as atropine, pilocarpine, diclofenac, and acetylcysteine. CLOs will also gain access to medications for allergic eye disease and antibacterial treatments, as well as clarified permissions for anaesthetic drops - enabling them to perform procedures like contact tonometry and punctual plug insertion.

The proposed amendments to the Regulations are as follows:

1. Remove several medicines that have been discontinued and are no longer available to be sold or supplied in the UK.
2. Allow all optometrists and CLOs to provide signed orders for or directly sell and supply specified prescription only medicines in an emergency - an ability currently restricted to AS optometrists.
3. Allow all optometrists and CLOs to provide signed orders for or directly sell and supply new prescription only medicines in an emergency for the treatment of allergic and bacterial conjunctivitis.
4. Allow wholesalers to supply specified topical anaesthetics to CLOs so they may be used beyond contact lens fitting.

The Government considers optometrists and CLOs already receive specialist training that is equivalent to the AS training required to supply the prescription only medications in question. However, the Department of Health and Social Care are committed to working with the College of Optometrists and Association of British Dispensing Opticians to develop further continuing professional development (CPD) where required. This could result in a higher threshold of care being expected from optometrists and CLOs.

The consultation remains open until 27 November 2025 for responses. The consultation can be accessed here.

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