News

Office closed -Holidays 2022

December 22, 2022

Please note that the College office will be closed from Saturday, December 24, 2022 to Monday, January 2, 2023. We will re-open on Tuesday, January 3, 2023. We wish you all the warmest of holiday cheer! Merry Christmas and happy new year!

The Professional Enhancement Program

October 6, 2022

The College’s core mandate is to ensure public safety. Quality assurance is one of the mechanisms by which the College supports registrants in effectively maintaining their professional competence so that the services they provide to the public are safe and effective. To further enable registrants to provide the highest standard of service to the public, […]

Office Closure

September 14, 2022

The College’s office will be closed on September 19, 2022 – National Day of Mourning to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and re-open on September 20, 2022 at 9:00 am.

NATIONAL DAY OF TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION – Office Closure

September 30, 2022, will mark National Day for Truth and Reconciliation “to commemorate the history and ongoing trauma caused by residential schools and to honour those who were lost and the survivors, families and communities who continue to grieve.” September 30 is also observed as Orange Shirt Day, promoting recognition of the colonial legacy of […]

Lumify remains as a Prescription only drug in BC

September 7, 2022

In response to several questions regarding the drug Lumify which has been approved by Health Canada as an Over the Counter (OTC) drug, here in BC it remains as a Prescription only drug. According to the College of Pharmacists of BC: Brimonidine of any strength or salt is still schedule 1 in BC. While the […]

Update on masking requirement

April 19, 2022

On March 10, 2022, the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) issued a notice stating that wearing a mask in public indoor settings is no longer required by public health. The PHO’s guidance letter to all BC health regulatory colleges included the following paragraph: “In addition to following masking requirements established by employers and operators as part […]

College Office Closure

April 14, 2022

The College office will be closed from Friday, April 15th until Monday, April 18th, and will reopen Tuesday, April 19th at 9a.m.

Board Election Results

March 18, 2022

An election for two positions on the Board of the College, whose terms expire on April 15, 2022, has been conducted by the Registrar in the presence of two Board members, one of whom is a Public member. The ballots were counted today, March 18, 2022. I certify, the following registrants have been elected to […]

New public health order requires College to record vaccination status of registrants

March 8, 2022

New public health order requires College of Optometrists of British Columbia to record vaccination status of registrants For information only: no action required A new Order of the Provincial Health Officer (PHO) has been issued “to prevent or reduce the risk of the transmission of infection with SARS-CoV-2 by health professionals.” The Health Professionals COVID-19 Vaccination Status […]

Provincial Health Officer announces order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals

February 10, 2022

BC Provincial Health Officer (PHO) Dr. Bonnie Henry announced February 9, 2022, that she will issue a public health order next week requiring full COVID-19 vaccination for all regulated health professionals, including Optometrists. The new order will broaden a previous PHO order originally dated October 14, 2021, which mandated COVID-19 vaccination for health care workers […]