Recent News

Recent Changes to the Standards of Practice

Changes to the Standards of Practice and Practice Guideline take effect on January 12, 2026. The updates are designed to provide clear and relevant guidance on delivering safe, ethical, and effective care.

Key changes include:

Standard 1: Competence

• Guidance on professional judgement and treating spouses, sexual partners, family or friends

Standard 2: Professional Conduct

• Updated sexual abuse resource

Standard 3: Dispensing of Appropriate Ophthalmic Devices

• New guidance around the remote delivery of contact lenses

• Criteria relating to dispensing specialty lenses such as myopia control or anti-fatigue lenses has been included

Standard 5: Record Keeping

• Guidance on record management, selling a practice, retiring, and health information roles

Standard 6: Patient Relations

• Guidance on discontinuing service, declining to provide a service

Standard 7: Remote Practice & Technology

• Criteria and guidance for integrating technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into the practice

Standard 9: Advertising and Social Media

• Updated guidance on social media and responding to reviews

Standard 10: Delegation

• Updated criteria to reflect the discontinuation of the refracting designation

For more details about the changes click here.