Furthermore, in the revised section 48(1)(c) there will be a continued prohibition on diagnosing diseases. It is also proposed to introduce an amendment in this subsection which will state that if an optometrist suspects the presence of a condition or a disease which requires medical attention, he or she will be obliged to inform the patient of this and recommend that the patient consult a registered medical practitioner. The new requirement for the referral of patients to medical practitioners where injury or disease is suspected will be indicative of best practice.