The College of Optometrists welcomes recommendations to increase support for NHS eyecare costs
Sarah Cant, Director of Policy and Strategy, The College of Optometrists, commented: “The College of Optometrists welcomes Healthwatch England’s recommendations to increase the support available for people on low incomes so that they can meet the costs of eyecare, a...
Blind Golf Scotland are proud to be hosting the British Blind Golf Open
Blind Golf Scotland (BGS) are proud to be hosting the British Blind Golf Open at the Macdonald Cardona Golf course from 6–10 July. BGS are pleased to be hosting international entrants from Scotland, England, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and Spain, and...
Shaping the future: The College of Optometrists holds AI in eyecare summit
On 2 April, The College of Optometrists brought together leading experts, patient and public involvement representatives, policymakers and eye care professionals for its AI in Eye Care Summit. The Summit served as a collaborative platform where key stakeholders discussed and...
Greater awareness of children’s vision care is urged by the profession
Greater attention needs to be given to children’s vision, believes the profession, as a recent survey by Mumsnet reveals that visits to the optometrist are lower down the agenda than dental visits. It found that 9% of parents saw no...
The College of Optometrists welcomes Healthwatch England's primary eye care report recommendations
The College of Optometrists welcomes Healthwatch England’s recommendations to commission more optometry services within primary care to reduce hospital waiting times and improve patient outcomes Professor Irene Ctori FCOptom, Vice-President of The College of Optometrists, commented: “Healthwatch England’s new report...
Hampshire MP ‘deeply concerned’ over cuts to community eye health services
Hampshire MP Paul Holmes has criticised ‘retrograde’ plans by local NHS health chiefs to cut community eye health services during a visit to Specsavers in Hedge End, Southampton. The local integrated care board (ICB), which commissions local NHS services, has...
Glaucoma UK announces winners of the 2025 ‘Excellence in Glaucoma Care Award’
Glaucoma UK is delighted to announce the winners of this year's Excellence in Glaucoma Care Awards – Patrick (Paddy) Gunn from Manchester and Alex Gage Family Optometrists in Sheffield. This annual award celebrates individuals or teams who have made remarkable...
The College of Optometrists appoints Chris Steele FCOptom as Clinical Editor of Acuity
The College of Optometrists has appointed Chris Steele FCOptom, DCLP, DipOC, DipTp(IP), FBCLA as the new Clinical Editor of Acuity, the College’s award-winning professional development journal. Chris joins Acuity from his role as Consultant Hospital Optometrist and Head of Optometry...
The College of Optometrists publishes updated Clinical Governance Guidance to support quality improvement and excellence in optometry
The College of Optometrists has launched its updated Clinical Governance Guidance to provide members with a robust framework that aligns with the healthcare landscape and primary care optometry workplace practices of today - and into the future. The guidance will...
PREVIEW: 100% Ophthalmology @ 100% Optical
1–3 March 2025 • London, UK • Register here March 2025 will see the second instalment of 100% Ophthalmology which, if you were following us last year, was a great success. Co-located alongside the well-known 100% Optical and hosted within...
SpaMedica launches pre-reg training programme to support future generations of optometrists
SpaMedica is partnering with Vision Express to offer pre-registration training placements to 150 aspiring optometrists. Trainees will have the opportunity to shadow SpaMedica’s clinical teams and in-house optometrists as they treat patients with a variety of eye conditions, including cataracts...
New online tool will be a critical planning resource for commissioners and providers of eye health care
Eye disease is a major contributor to national health service backlogs, and the number of cases is set to significantly increase with an ageing population. Organisations from across the UK’s eye care sector, including the Association of British Dispensing Opticians...