News
OPO celebration event marks 100-years of groundbreaking research in vision science and optometry
The College of Optometrists hosted academics from across the UK and internationally at a special symposium to mark 100-years of its research journal Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) at Glasgow Caledonian University. OPO Centenary: Celebrating Research Excellence saw academics and...
Optical Suppliers Association: Autumn Meeting set for 27 October
The OSA’s Autumn Meeting will take place on 27 October at the St Pancras Hotel in London, providing member companies with the chance to learn more about organising their own CPD sessions. Looking ahead to 100% Optical and other opportunities...
First medical AI model with globally representative data
Quest to build the first medical AI foundation model with globally representative data. A research consortium of over 100 study groups in more than 65 countries has launched the Global RETFound initiative, a collaborative effort to develop the first globally...
STEPPER Eyewear see their funding in action at VCHP
STEPPER Eyewear’s ongoing support for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP)'s running costs was in evidence in August at the London Crisis Centre, when patients were visiting the clinic for eye examinations and new glasses to be dispensed. STEPPER’s Business...
British Optical Association Museum re-opens with new collections and enhanced visitor experience
Book a guided tour with the College Museum’s expert Curator The College of Optometrists has re-opened the British Optical Association Museum to visitors following a programme of renovations to the unique museum’s spaces, new acquisitions and enhancements to the museum’s...
ABDO opens clinical conference bookings to non-members
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is delighted to announce that bookings are now open for its 2025 clinical conference – and for the first time, non-members are invited to attend the in-person sessions. Taking place at the ABDO...
Cabinet Secretary backs call for major shift in venue accessibility
Scotland’s Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has thrown his support behind Sight Scotland’s Accessible Venues Campaign, which aims to make every theatre, concert hall and cultural venue fully accessible for people with vision impairment. Mr Robertson recently met with members of...
Standby for standards: Ophthalmic imaging
The Ophthalmic Imaging Associating (OIA) will propose and publish a volume of refined standards for Ophthalmic and Vision Science. These will be reviewed by the OIA membership at its annual conference in November 2025 and released thereafter. The OIA is...
Second major survey calls for people with sight loss to review ideas for innovation of post diagnostic support for blind and partially sighted people
This September the UK’s largest sight loss charity, The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), is launching the second in a series of major surveys to help map out the future of support for people diagnosed with serious eye...
Registration launches for 100% Optical and 100% Ophthalmology 2026
Organisers have announced that free registration for 100% Optical, the UK’s largest optical exhibition, and its co-located event, 100% Ophthalmology, will be live in the first week of September. Where eyecare meets eyewear, the award-winning event for the Optical and...
AI predicts eye damage from autoimmune drug, years before symptoms appear
A novel AI tool could transform screening for patients taking hydroxychloroquine by spotting early signs of eye damage, according to a study published in Opthalmology Retina. Researchers have devised an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can detect and predict serious...
Children with vision impairment waiting up to 18 months for essential life skills training
Only one in four Scottish councils meets the national standard for habilitation support, leaving some children waiting more than a year for help developing basic independence skills, a new report by RNIB Scotland reveals. The report highlights a growing crisis...


