Singapore CASE, Optometric Association partner to resolve disputes

Singapore CASE, Optometric Association partner to resolve disputes

By Lynda Hong,
SINGAPORE: The Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE) and the Singapore Optometric Association are collaborating to ensure optometrists adhere to a set of new guidelines.

This agreement between CASE and the Singapore Optometric Association will set in place a system to resolve disputes between its optometrists and their customers.

Although figures from CASE show no significant increase in the number of complaints against eyecare providers over the past three years, the consumer watchdog expects this to change gradually.

Yeo Guat Kwang, president of CASE, said: “As consumers get more knowledgeable, complaints may go up. It’s important for us, at this point, to put in place proactive measures to help consumers.”

There were 71 cases of complaint in 2005, 93 cases in 2006 and 76 cases in 2007.

Unlike opticians who only dispense spectacles, the Optometrist Association said an optometrist can prescribe spectacles and detect problems such as cataract in the elderly and lazy eye or myopia in children.

There are currently over 800 optical shops in Singapore, but only 505 registered optometrists, which means that almost half of the optical shops in Singapore do not have an optometrist.

David Chong, president of the Singapore Optometric Association, said: “We definitely hope that our local institution or another institution will start courses on optometry to overcome this shortage.”

Currently, only Singapore Polytechnic offers such a course.

The agreement also stipulates new guidelines for optometrists. These include stating prices clearly and ensuring adequate after-sales service.

Those who do not adhere to these guidelines will be blacklisted.

Source : Channel NewsAsia  - 06 Jan 2008

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