News
The College of Optometrists celebrates 100 years of the international research journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO)
The College partners with Springer Nature to take OPO into its second century. The year 2025 marks the centenary of The College of Optometrists’ leading international and interdisciplinary research journal for contemporary vision science and optometry, Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics...
Shocking experiences of blind patients lead to improved cervical screening standards
Blind women in Scotland have reported distressing experiences when attending cervical screening appointments, with some describing procedures as “rough” and “painful,” and feeling uninformed and unsupported throughout. There are over 180,000 people with sight loss in Scotland, of whom 60%...
New genomic test saves Moorfields patient’s sight
Moorfields patient Ellie Irwin’s stubborn and debilitating eye inflammation was successfully treated as a result of a new metagenomic service identifying the cause of this as a rare infection. In 2019, Ellie first got symptoms of uveitis, a condition characterised...
ABDO National Resource Centre secures new gold digital sponsor
The ABDO National Resource Centre (NRC) based in Birmingham has secured a new gold digital sponsor in Birmingham Optical. Birmingham Optical is a leading supplier of optical equipment and services, with over 60 years of experience in the industry. The...
Blind astrophysicist inspires next generation
Eilidh Morrison (23), a physics graduate from Aberdeen and Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament (MSYP) was starstruck last month when she met her long-time inspiration, blind astrophysicist Dr Wanda Díaz-Merced. Born with Joubert Syndrome, a rare condition that includes...
CooperVision’s plastic neutrality initiative reaches remarkable half-billion bottle milestone
CooperVision recently announced a significant milestone in its pioneering plastic neutrality initiative. The multi-continent programme – in collaboration with Plastic Bank®, eyecare professionals, and contact lens wearers – has now prevented the equivalent of more than half a billion plastic...
RNIB CEO to step down in December 2025
Matt Stringer, Chief Executive of the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has announced that he will be stepping down from his role. Matt has led RNIB through some challenging times such as the statutory inquiry, the Covid-19 pandemic...
Newmedica strengthens glaucoma services with optometrist-turned-ophthalmologist appointment
Newmedica, a leading provider of ophthalmology services across England, has appointed Richard Stead as its lead for glaucoma. This strategic move underscores Newmedica's commitment to delivering exceptional and timely care for both NHS and private patients across the spectrum of...
Scotland’s young blind voices boosted by new funding
A youth-led forum for blind and partially sighted young people has secured vital funding, enabling a new period of opportunity for young blind and partially sighted people across Scotland. Haggeye, operated by national sight loss charity, RNIB Scotland, will expand...
Run for Glaucoma UK in the 2026 London Marathon
For the first time ever, Glaucoma UK has 12 charity places in the iconic TCS London Marathon for 2026, and applications are now officially open! Mark your calendars - the big day is Sunday 26 April 2026! In previous years,...
New research shows the unhealthy state of access to medicine and medical devices for blind patients
Blind and partially sighted people could become ill from medicines and medical devices, because they are not being listened to when it comes to designing, prescribing and administering treatments. The Safety Gap’ report commissioned by the Patient Safety Commissioner, Prof...
Moorfields surgeons save the sight of 24 wounded Bangladeshi students
Moorfields Eye Hospital consultant ophthalmologists Mahi Muqit and Niaz Islam were invited to Dhaka by Bangladesh’s interim government to help 120 patients with bullet wounds to their eyes. Their injuries were a result of their involvement in protests against the...
