CHILBROOK, U.K.—The General Optical Council (GOC) recently reversed its stance and supported legislation that allows Adlens adjustable focus reading glasses, with a range of 0 to +4 diopters, to be sold over-the-counter in the U.K.

The General Optical Council is the regulator for the optical professions in the U.K.

Adlens, a U.K. company, sells adjustable eyewear that is capable of both negative and positive power adjustments to allow the wearer to see clearly at any distance. The glasses can also accommodate people whose eyes require different powers.

Lord Richard Newby, the Liberal Democratic Leader in the House of Lords, recently presented the amendment to the 1989 Optician’s Act that allow adjustable reading glasses to be sold over-the-counter. “Over two million pairs of Adlens glasses have been sold around the world, including in countries such as Japan and the US which set high standards of consumer protection. To deny British consumers similar access to these products is unjustifiable,” said Newby.

Adlens CEO John Kennedy commented, “This is a landmark decision for Adlens, which ensures all of us who need glasses to read in the UK have the chance to benefit from being able to focus at different distances again.”

The new ruling was narrowly drawn and still restricts aspects of Adlens products.

“We will continue to campaign to allow the full optical range to be sold over the counter,” Kennedy said.