A timeline of events in BC:
http://www.optometrists.bc.ca/critic...nghistory1.pdf
From the afternoon sitting of the Legislative Assembly, May 19, 2004:
http://www.legis.gov.bc.ca/hansard/3...519p.htm#11237
SIGHT TESTING BY OPTICIANS
P. Nettleton: On April 19 the College of Physicians and Surgeons asked this government to reconsider enacting a regulation that would allow opticians to prescribe eyeglasses without medical supervision. The college claimed this regulation would "introduce a significant element of risk to patients." My question is to the Minister of Health Services. Will the minister heed the advice of this respected medical authority and fully review this proposed regulation?
Hon. C. Hansen: I welcome the question. There is absolutely no evidence that shows that automated sight testing is in any way harmful or inaccurate. That is an admission that comes from, I think, everyone involved in this field — whether it's the ophthalmologists, the optometrists or the opticians. The fact of the matter is that for the last number of years, there have been opticians using automated sight-testing equipment in this province. What we are bringing in are regulations which manage that, so that the interests of the individual are protected and people understand the importance of an eye health exam to determine the other issues that they may be faced with.
I've certainly had lots of meetings with different groups that are involved in this issue. I think the more people understand what's behind it, the more they realize that this is a very sound direction that government is going.
Position of the College of Physicians & Surgeons as of Fall 2001: see page 3
https://www.cpsbc.ca/resources/cps/p..._Fall_2001.pdf
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