{"id":31504,"date":"2026-07-24T22:54:38","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T22:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/?page_id=31504"},"modified":"2026-07-25T00:50:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T00:50:24","slug":"how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"31504\" class=\"elementor elementor-31504\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-26dbfa9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"26dbfa9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee30a7e elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"ee30a7e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n<!-- ===== How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint | Elementor Custom HTML fragment ===== -->\r\n<!-- Body only. Title, meta description, canonical, OG and robots are owned by Yoast. -->\r\n<link rel=\"preconnect\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\"\/>\r\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=DM+Sans:wght@400;500;600;700&family=Playfair+Display:wght@700;800&display=swap\"\/>\r\n\r\n<style>\r\n.hec-canart{--navy:#1A2233;--red:#B01F17;--ink:#22303c;--muted:#5a6b78;\r\n --line:#e4e8ec;--paper:#fbfcfd;--cream:#f7f2ec;--gold:#b8843e;\r\n font-family:'DM Sans',system-ui,-apple-system,Segoe UI,Roboto,Arial,sans-serif;\r\n color:var(--ink);line-height:1.72;font-size:17px;max-width:820px;margin:0 auto;\r\n padding:8px 20px 56px;-webkit-font-smoothing:antialiased}\r\n.hec-canart *{box-sizing:border-box}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb{font-size:13px;color:var(--muted);margin:6px 0 22px}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb a{color:var(--red);text-decoration:none}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb a:hover{text-decoration:underline}\r\n.hec-canart .crumb span{color:var(--muted)}\r\n.hec-canart .eyebrow{font-size:12px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;\r\n color:var(--red);margin:0 0 10px}\r\n.hec-canart h1{font-family:'Playfair Display',Georgia,serif;font-weight:800;color:var(--navy);\r\n font-size:clamp(28px,4.3vw,40px);line-height:1.16;margin:0 0 14px;letter-spacing:-.01em}\r\n.hec-canart .meta{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px 18px;align-items:center;font-size:13.5px;\r\n color:var(--muted);border-top:1px solid var(--line);border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);\r\n padding:11px 0;margin:0 0 26px}\r\n.hec-canart .meta b{color:var(--navy);font-weight:600}\r\n.hec-canart .lede{font-size:19px;line-height:1.6;color:#2b3a46;margin:0 0 22px}\r\n.hec-canart h2{font-family:'Playfair Display',Georgia,serif;font-weight:700;color:var(--navy);\r\n font-size:clamp(21px,3vw,27px);line-height:1.25;margin:38px 0 12px}\r\n.hec-canart h3{font-weight:700;color:var(--navy);font-size:18px;margin:24px 0 8px}\r\n.hec-canart p{margin:0 0 15px}\r\n.hec-canart a{color:var(--red)}\r\n.hec-canart ul,.hec-canart ol{margin:0 0 15px;padding-left:22px}\r\n.hec-canart li{margin:0 0 8px}\r\n.hec-canart .callout{background:var(--cream);border-left:4px solid var(--gold);\r\n border-radius:0 8px 8px 0;padding:16px 20px;margin:22px 0;font-size:16px;color:#3a3630}\r\n.hec-canart .callout strong{color:var(--navy)}\r\n.hec-canart .kt{background:var(--navy);color:#eef3f8;border-radius:12px;padding:24px 26px;margin:34px 0}\r\n.hec-canart .kt h2{color:#fff;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:21px}\r\n.hec-canart .kt ul{margin:0;padding-left:20px}\r\n.hec-canart .kt li{margin:0 0 10px;color:#dbe6f0;font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.6}\r\n.hec-canart .kt li::marker{color:var(--gold)}\r\n.hec-canart .courses{margin:38px 0 8px}\r\n.hec-canart .courses h2{margin-bottom:6px}\r\n.hec-canart .courses .sub{font-size:14.5px;color:var(--muted);margin:0 0 18px}\r\n.hec-canart .cgrid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(240px,1fr));gap:14px}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard{display:block;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:10px;padding:16px 18px;\r\n background:var(--paper);text-decoration:none;transition:border-color .15s,box-shadow .15s}\r\n.hec-canart .ccard:hover{border-color:var(--red);box-shadow:0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.05)}\r\n.hec-canart .ct{font-weight:700;color:var(--navy);font-size:15.5px;line-height:1.35;margin-bottom:6px}\r\n.hec-canart .cd{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--muted);margin:0 0 10px;line-height:1.5}\r\n.hec-canart .go{font-size:13px;font-weight:600;color:var(--red)}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset{border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin-top:38px;padding-top:22px}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset h2{margin:0 0 12px;font-size:20px}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset a{display:block;padding:11px 0;border-bottom:1px dashed var(--line);\r\n color:var(--red);text-decoration:none;font-size:15.5px;font-weight:600}\r\n.hec-canart .nextset a:hover{text-decoration:underline}\r\n.hec-canart .faq{margin:38px 0 0}\r\n.hec-canart .faq details{border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:9px;margin:0 0 10px;background:#fff}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary{cursor:pointer;padding:14px 18px;font-weight:600;color:var(--navy);\r\n font-size:15.5px;list-style:none}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\r\n.hec-canart .faq summary::after{content:\"+\";float:right;color:var(--red);font-weight:700}\r\n.hec-canart .faq details[open] summary::after{content:\"\\2212\"}\r\n.hec-canart .faq .ans{padding:0 18px 15px;font-size:15.5px;color:var(--ink)}\r\n.hec-canart .disc{margin-top:34px;padding-top:18px;border-top:1px solid var(--line);\r\n font-size:13px;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.6}\r\n@media(max-width:600px){.hec-canart{font-size:16.5px;padding:8px 16px 44px}\r\n.hec-canart .cgrid{grid-template-columns:1fr}}\r\n<\/style>\r\n\r\n<article class=\"hec-canart\">\r\n<nav class=\"crumb\"><a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/\">Knowledge &amp; Support<\/a> <span>\/<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/ontario\/\">Optometrists &amp; Opticians &mdash; Ontario<\/a> <span>\/<\/span> How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint<\/nav>\r\n<p class=\"eyebrow\">Ontario &middot; College of Optometrists \/ College of Opticians of Ontario<\/p>\r\n<h1>How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint<\/h1>\r\n<div class=\"meta\"><b>10 min read<\/b><span>Last updated July 14, 2026<\/span><\/div>\r\n<p class=\"lede\">Ontario regulates optometrists and opticians through two separate colleges that run the identical complaints process &mdash; and the single most serious risk in eye care sits on the line between the two scopes. Diagnosing and prescribing belong to the optometrist; an optician who crosses that line, and the optometrist who was meant to supervise, both face exposure. Understanding that boundary is where a considered response begins.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"callout\"><strong>Before you do anything:<\/strong> get legal advice and notify your liability insurer. Your written response is your single best opportunity to influence the outcome. Do not alter the examination, prescription or dispensing record, and do not contact the complainant.<\/div>\r\n<h2>Two colleges, one process<\/h2>\r\n<p>Eye care in Ontario is regulated by <strong>two separate colleges<\/strong>. Optometrists are regulated by the <strong>College of Optometrists of Ontario<\/strong> under the <em>Optometry Act, 1991<\/em>; opticians are regulated by the <strong>College of Opticians of Ontario<\/strong> under the <em>Opticianry Act, 1991<\/em>. Both sit under the umbrella of the <em>Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991<\/em> (RHPA).<\/p>\r\n<p>The good news for anyone trying to understand the process is that it is <strong>the same at both colleges<\/strong> &mdash; the identical statutory machinery that governs every Ontario health College. What is at stake is your <strong>certificate of registration<\/strong>. The concept you may be found to have committed is <strong>professional misconduct<\/strong> (as defined in the misconduct regulation under your Act) or <strong>incompetence<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<p>Throughout this guide, &ldquo;the College&rdquo; means whichever of the two regulates you. Where optometry and opticianry genuinely differ &mdash; and on one crucial point, they do &mdash; we say so.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>The line that generates the most serious complaints<\/h2>\r\n<p>The single most important thing an Ontario eye-care professional can understand about regulatory risk is the <strong>boundary between the two scopes of practice<\/strong>, because crossing it is one of the most serious findings either college makes.<\/p>\r\n<p>Under the RHPA, communicating a diagnosis and prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses are <strong>controlled acts<\/strong> that an <strong>optometrist<\/strong> (or physician) may perform, and an <strong>optician may not<\/strong>. An optician dispenses and fits eyewear against a valid prescription; an optician does not examine eyes, diagnose, or prescribe.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"callout\"><strong>A real Ontario case shows how this plays out.<\/strong> In a Discipline Committee decision of the College of Optometrists, an optician conducted what a patient reasonably believed was an eye examination and effectively issued a prescription change &mdash; a controlled act reserved to optometrists. The College investigated <em>undercover<\/em>, sending an investigator to request an exam. The matter reached discipline. Both the individual who performed the controlled act and the optometrist responsible for supervision and delegation were exposed. If you run or work in a practice where opticians and optometrists share space, this is the risk to manage first.<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>Delegation: the responsibility stays with the optometrist<\/h2>\r\n<p>Controlled acts may be delegated under the RHPA, but only within the rules. For optometry, delegation requires <strong>supervision<\/strong> &mdash; being physically present to intervene &mdash; and can only occur after the optometrist has established the patient relationship through interview, assessment and informed consent. <strong>The responsibility ultimately remains with the optometrist.<\/strong> &ldquo;My optician handled it&rdquo; is not a defence; it is often the substance of the complaint.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>How a complaint proceeds<\/h2>\r\n<p>Every complaint is handled by the College&rsquo;s <strong>Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC)<\/strong> &mdash; a statutory committee of professionals and public members. When a complaint is made:<\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>The College notifies you, sends you a copy of the complaint and supporting documents, and provides your <strong>prior complaint history<\/strong>.<\/li>\r\n<li>You have <strong>30 days<\/strong> to respond <strong>in writing<\/strong>. The process is a documentary exchange; you generally do not give an in-person explanation.<\/li>\r\n<li>The ICRC may direct an investigation, and can compel records and documents.<\/li>\r\n<li>A panel of the ICRC reviews the paper record and makes its decision.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"callout\"><strong>The ICRC screens; it does not decide guilt.<\/strong> It reviews the file on paper, does not hear live witnesses, and <strong>cannot make credibility assessments<\/strong>. Its question is narrow: if the allegations were true, are they serious enough to refer to the Discipline Committee? So a professional can be referred to discipline even where they did nothing wrong. A referral is not a finding, and it does not mean the College believes the complainant.<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>The dispositions &mdash; and which ones publish<\/h2>\r\n<p>The ICRC can take no further action; give advice or recommendations; require you to attend for an <strong>oral caution<\/strong>; require a <strong>Specified Continuing Education or Remediation Program (SCERP)<\/strong>; accept an <strong>undertaking or acknowledgement<\/strong>; or <strong>refer specified allegations to the Discipline Committee<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n<div class=\"callout\"><strong>Cautions, SCERPs, undertakings and referrals are posted on the public register &mdash; now on an indefinite basis.<\/strong> Advice, recommendations and &ldquo;no further action&rdquo; are not. Recent legislative changes made cautions and SCERPs indefinitely public, so the line between an unpublished and a published outcome has become far more consequential than it once was. Anyone can see it on your online profile.<\/div>\r\n\r\n<h2>Your first week<\/h2>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><strong>Get legal advice and notify your liability insurer before you write anything.<\/strong> Your written response is your single best opportunity to influence the outcome &mdash; it is the version of events the ICRC reads.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Diarise the 30-day deadline<\/strong> and ask for an extension early if you need one.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Preserve the record exactly as it stands<\/strong> &mdash; the examination record, the prescription, the dispensing record, the consent. Never alter it after a complaint arrives.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Do not contact the complainant.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<section class=\"kt\"><h2>Key takeaways<\/h2><ul><li>Ontario eye care has two colleges: the College of Optometrists (Optometry Act) and the College of Opticians (Opticianry Act). Both run the identical RHPA complaints process.<\/li><li>What is at stake is your certificate of registration; the concept is professional misconduct or incompetence.<\/li><li>Diagnosing and prescribing are controlled acts an optometrist may perform and an optician may not. Crossing that scope line is among the most serious findings either college makes \\u2014 and the College has investigated it undercover.<\/li><li>Delegation requires supervision and the optometrist retains responsibility. &ldquo;My optician handled it&rdquo; is not a defence.<\/li><li>The ICRC screens on paper and cannot assess credibility \\u2014 a referral to discipline is not a finding. You get 30 days to respond in writing.<\/li><li>Cautions, SCERPs, undertakings and referrals are posted on the public register indefinitely; advice and no-further-action are not. Get legal advice before responding; never alter the record.<\/li><\/ul><\/section>\r\n<section class=\"courses\"><h2>Related courses<\/h2><p class=\"sub\">Practical, self-paced CPD courses that map onto the issues in this guide. These are educational courses. They are not accredited by the College of Optometrists of Ontario or the College of Opticians of Ontario, and are not a substitute for legal advice.<\/p><div class=\"cgrid\">\r\n<a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/dealing-with-a-complaint-or-investigation-professionally\/\"><div class=\"ct\">Dealing With a Complaint or Investigation Professionally<\/div><p class=\"cd\">How to respond to a College complaint calmly, constructively and on the record.<\/p><span class=\"go\">View course &rarr;<\/span><\/a>\r\n<a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/professionalism-and-professional-standards-for-optometrists-and-opticians\/\"><div class=\"ct\">Professionalism and Professional Standards for Optometrists and Opticians<\/div><p class=\"cd\">Scope of practice, delegation and the controlled-acts boundary in eye care.<\/p><span class=\"go\">View course &rarr;<\/span><\/a>\r\n<a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/documentation-for-healthcare-professionals\/\"><div class=\"ct\">Documentation for Healthcare Professionals<\/div><p class=\"cd\">Examination, prescription and dispensing records, and why they must never be altered.<\/p><span class=\"go\">View course &rarr;<\/span><\/a>\r\n<a class=\"ccard\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/courses\/ethics-and-ethical-standards-for-optometrists-and-opticians\/\"><div class=\"ct\">Ethics and Ethical Standards for Optometrists and Opticians<\/div><p class=\"cd\">Core ethical standards for optometrists and opticians.<\/p><span class=\"go\">View course &rarr;<\/span><\/a>\r\n<\/div><\/section>\r\n<section class=\"nextset\"><h2>Continue reading: Ontario optometrists &amp; opticians<\/h2>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/what-happens-during-an-ontario-eye-care-college-investigation\">What happens during an Ontario eye-care College investigation?<\/a>\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/remediation-and-reflection-for-ontario-optometrists-and-opticians\">Remediation and reflection for Ontario optometrists and opticians<\/a>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<section class=\"faq\"><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n<details><summary>Is the process different for optometrists and opticians?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">No. Optometrists are regulated by the College of Optometrists of Ontario under the Optometry Act, and opticians by the College of Opticians of Ontario under the Opticianry Act, but both operate the identical complaints process set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act. The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) screens complaints, and the dispositions and public-register rules are the same at both colleges.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<details><summary>What is the scope line between an optician and an optometrist?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">Communicating a diagnosis and prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses are controlled acts under the RHPA that an optometrist (or physician) may perform and an optician may not. An optician dispenses and fits eyewear against a valid prescription but does not examine eyes, diagnose or prescribe. Crossing that line &mdash; for example an optician effectively conducting an eye exam &mdash; is among the most serious matters either college handles, and has been investigated undercover.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<details><summary>Does a complaint mean I have done something wrong?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">No. The ICRC screens complaints on paper and asks only whether the allegations, if true, are serious enough to refer to the Discipline Committee. It cannot make credibility assessments. A professional can be referred to discipline even where they did nothing wrong, and a referral is not a finding of misconduct.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<details><summary>If my optician did it, am I still responsible?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">Often, yes, if you are the supervising optometrist. Controlled acts may be delegated only under the RHPA rules: delegation requires supervision, can occur only after the optometrist has established the patient relationship, and the responsibility ultimately remains with the optometrist. In practice, a scope breach by an optician frequently exposes the supervising optometrist as well.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<details><summary>Will the outcome be made public?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">It depends on the disposition. Cautions, SCERPs, undertakings and referrals to discipline are posted on the College&rsquo;s public register, now on an indefinite basis following recent legislative changes. Advice, recommendations and no-further-action are not published. This makes the difference between an unpublished and a published outcome very significant.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<details><summary>How long do I have to respond?<\/summary><div class=\"ans\">You are given 30 days to respond to the complaint in writing. The process proceeds by documentary exchange, so your written response is your best opportunity to influence the outcome, and you generally will not have a chance to give an in-person explanation. Because of this, many professionals obtain legal help to prepare the response.<\/div><\/details>\r\n<\/section>\r\n<p class=\"disc\">This article is general information for optometrists registered with the College of Optometrists of Ontario and opticians registered with the College of Opticians of Ontario, and does not constitute legal advice. Regulatory processes and the law change, and every case turns on its own facts. If you are the subject of a complaint or investigation, obtain advice from a lawyer experienced in professional regulation, and notify your professional liability insurer, before you respond. Last updated July 14, 2026.<\/p>\r\n<\/article>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\r\n  \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\r\n  \"@graph\": [\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"Article\",\r\n      \"headline\": \"How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint\",\r\n      \"description\": \"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, and one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. The dispositions, and what to do first.\",\r\n      \"inLanguage\": \"en-CA\",\r\n      \"datePublished\": \"2026-07-14\",\r\n      \"dateModified\": \"2026-07-14\",\r\n      \"author\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Person\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Dr Shehzad Iqbal\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"publisher\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"Organization\",\r\n        \"name\": \"Healthcare Ethics Courses\",\r\n        \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"mainEntityOfPage\": {\r\n        \"@type\": \"WebPage\",\r\n        \"@id\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/ontario\/complaints\/\"\r\n      },\r\n      \"url\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/ontario\/complaints\/\",\r\n      \"about\": \"Responding to a complaint to the College of Optometrists or College of Opticians of Ontario\"\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"BreadcrumbList\",\r\n      \"itemListElement\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 1,\r\n          \"name\": \"Knowledge & Support\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 2,\r\n          \"name\": \"Optometrists & Opticians \u2014 Ontario\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/ontario\/\"\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"ListItem\",\r\n          \"position\": 3,\r\n          \"name\": \"How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint\",\r\n          \"item\": \"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/knowledge-support\/optometrists-opticians\/ontario\/complaints\/\"\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    },\r\n    {\r\n      \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\r\n      \"mainEntity\": [\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Is the process different for optometrists and opticians?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"No. Optometrists are regulated by the College of Optometrists of Ontario under the Optometry Act, and opticians by the College of Opticians of Ontario under the Opticianry Act, but both operate the identical complaints process set out in the Regulated Health Professions Act. The Inquiries, Complaints and Reports Committee (ICRC) screens complaints, and the dispositions and public-register rules are the same at both colleges.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"What is the scope line between an optician and an optometrist?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"Communicating a diagnosis and prescribing eyeglasses or contact lenses are controlled acts under the RHPA that an optometrist (or physician) may perform and an optician may not. An optician dispenses and fits eyewear against a valid prescription but does not examine eyes, diagnose or prescribe. Crossing that line \u2014 for example an optician effectively conducting an eye exam \u2014 is among the most serious matters either college handles, and has been investigated undercover.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Does a complaint mean I have done something wrong?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"No. The ICRC screens complaints on paper and asks only whether the allegations, if true, are serious enough to refer to the Discipline Committee. It cannot make credibility assessments. A professional can be referred to discipline even where they did nothing wrong, and a referral is not a finding of misconduct.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"If my optician did it, am I still responsible?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"Often, yes, if you are the supervising optometrist. Controlled acts may be delegated only under the RHPA rules: delegation requires supervision, can occur only after the optometrist has established the patient relationship, and the responsibility ultimately remains with the optometrist. In practice, a scope breach by an optician frequently exposes the supervising optometrist as well.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"Will the outcome be made public?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"It depends on the disposition. Cautions, SCERPs, undertakings and referrals to discipline are posted on the College\u2019s public register, now on an indefinite basis following recent legislative changes. Advice, recommendations and no-further-action are not published. This makes the difference between an unpublished and a published outcome very significant.\"\r\n          }\r\n        },\r\n        {\r\n          \"@type\": \"Question\",\r\n          \"name\": \"How long do I have to respond?\",\r\n          \"acceptedAnswer\": {\r\n            \"@type\": \"Answer\",\r\n            \"text\": \"You are given 30 days to respond to the complaint in writing. The process proceeds by documentary exchange, so your written response is your best opportunity to influence the outcome, and you generally will not have a chance to give an in-person explanation. Because of this, many professionals obtain legal help to prepare the response.\"\r\n          }\r\n        }\r\n      ]\r\n    }\r\n  ]\r\n}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Knowledge &amp; Support \/ Optometrists &amp; Opticians \u2014 Ontario \/ How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint Ontario [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"no-sidebar","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-31504","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Canada Healthcare Courses\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-07-25T00:50:24+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\\\/\",\"name\":\"Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-24T22:54:38+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-07-25T00:50:24+00:00\",\"description\":\"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\",\"name\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/site-logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/09\\\/site-logo.svg\",\"width\":111,\"height\":115,\"caption\":\"Canada Healthcare Courses\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/healthcareethicscourses.com\\\/can\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint","description":"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint","og_description":"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.","og_url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/","og_site_name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","article_modified_time":"2026-07-25T00:50:24+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/","name":"Responding to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-07-24T22:54:38+00:00","dateModified":"2026-07-25T00:50:24+00:00","description":"Two eye-care colleges, one RHPA process, one defining risk: the controlled-acts line between optometrists and opticians. What to do first.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/how-to-respond-to-an-ontario-eye-care-college-complaint\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How to Respond to an Ontario Eye-Care College Complaint"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#website","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/","name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#organization","name":"Canada Healthcare Courses","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/site-logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/site-logo.svg","width":111,"height":115,"caption":"Canada Healthcare Courses"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31504"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31826,"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/31504\/revisions\/31826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/healthcareethicscourses.com\/can\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}