Prescriptions and 'Expiry Dates':

Both the public and Opticians have asked questions about disclaimers of the limitations or expiry dates and some optical prescriptions eg. "not valid of over one year old". In particular, both the public and members wonder whether Opticians are entitled to dispense corrective eyewear from a prescription that is past its expiry date.

Unless there is a medical contradiction, setting a generic time limitation on prescriptions is not justified by medical or health safety reasons. Opticians are able to dispense eyewear based on any prescription in accordance with the Standards of Practice - generic expiry dates should be regarded as a suggested recall examination date only and not a prohibition from providing eyewear.

The Alberta Opticians Association's Standards of Practice provides an excellent guideline for public safety and best practices. Registered Opticians (RO) and Registered Contact Lens Practitioners (RCLP) are members of the AOA and follow the Standards of Practice of the AOA.

Optician is a Reserved and Protected Title:

The correct use of a reserved title allows the public to know they are dealing with a registered professional who has undergone required training and is held accountable to provide a high standard service. A person other than a registrant of the AOA must not use the word "Registered Optician" or "Registered Contact Lens Practitioner" in any manner that expresses or implies that he/she is a registrant or is associated with the Alberta Opticians Association.

To ensure the public knows when they are purchasing eyewear they are dealing with an Optician, the AOA, protects the use of the title through the Opticians Act and soon the Health Professions Act. Only active registrants of the AOA can use the title "Registered Optician" or "Registered Contact Lens Practitioner" and other associated terms. No other person can claim to be a "Registered Optician" or suggest that he/she is recognized by the AOA.

When a business wishes to use the title "Optician" in their advertising, marketing or company name, they are only entitled to do so if there are persons working within the business who are rightly Registered Opticians or Registered Contact Lens Practitioners with the AOA. Businesses cannot use the reserved titles for Opticianry if they do not have a valid registered Optician(s) on staff.

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