The South African Optometric Association (SAOA) has urged residents to be cautious when dealing with mobile optometry practices.
Eye care practitioners are strictly regulated to prevent ethical and clinical transgressions such as negligence, incompetence, inadequate levels of care, insufficient equipment, canvassing and touting. Unfortunately, many mobile practices are non-compliant.
Mobile practices often deliver ‘hit and run’ eye care, conducting examinations in an area and then disappearing without arranging for follow up and after care.
A comprehensive examination is simply not possible from a mobile practice.
Screening, however, is allowed.
A screening includes specific aspects of vision, and the vision and ocular tests performed are insufficient to diagnose or prescribe spectacles.
A screening is not a substitute for a comprehensive visual examination.
The purpose of screening is to identify aspects of vision that may need further investigation.
Despite receiving insufficient and sometimes sub-standard care at a screening, claims are sometimes made against the company or the medical aid for complete examinations.
The employer or school cannot make the screening mandatory.
Patients who are already in the care of an optometrist should have the right to opt out if they prefer. Patients who need further care after the screening are free to see any optometrist of their choice. Any attempt to direct patients to a particular practice contravenes the ethical rules of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and should be reported immediately.
According to the association certain unscrupulous providers use corporate ‘wellness’ days to render mobile services in office boardrooms or factory canteens, with equipment only suitable for vision screening.
Employees feel obliged to participate in events organised by their employers despite already having optometrists taking care of their visual needs.
Practitioners wanting to serve populations in remote, underserved areas must apply with a motivation to the HPCSA for approval prior to setting up a mobile practice.
Where there is no alternative eye care, the HPCSA will register mobile practices, but only to operate in the remotest of areas.
Residents are asked to report practices which may not fully comply with regulations to the SAOA on 011 805-4517 or by sending an e-mail to ntombi@saoa.co.za
Alternatively, residents can contact the HPCSA on 012 338-9421/9300 or e-mail legalmed@hpcsa.co.za
