Compulsory training for opticians

New laws proposed require opticians to take courses and work under supervision

A new bill has been proposed to tighten qualifications for opticians.

Unlike optometrists who need a diploma and a Health Sciences Authority (HSA) licence to prescribe contact lenses, there is currently no training requirement for opticians in Singapore.

Anyone can set up shop and sell spectacles.

The new law will require opticians to pass a course and undergo supervised training for two years.

The Optometrists and Opticians Bill will go through a second reading in parliament next month.

Source: “Move to plug regulatory gap in eyecare sector”, The Straits Times, 7 June 2007