News archive for 2025
Charity radio manager steps out with family for Edinburgh Kiltwalk
The manager of an award-winning charity radio station is keeping it in the family and taking part in Scotland's largest mass participation walking event. Kris Wallace, Operations Manager at RNIB Connect Radio, will take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk on Sunday,...
The Lily Foundation celebrates approval of first ever mitochondrial disease treatment by NICE
The Lily Foundation, the UK’s leading mitochondrial disease charity, is today celebrating a landmark achievement in the fight against the disease – the first ever treatment for a mitochondrial condition has been approved for use on the NHS in England....
Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning elects Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom as Chair
Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom, President of The College of Optometrists, has been elected as the new chair of the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning (CCEHC) following a vote by the members of the Council. The CCEHC is an independent...
The Scottish Optometry Awards
Join us at the inaugural Scottish Optometry Awards dinner dance at the Glasgow Radisson Blu Hotel on Saturday 15th November. Drinks 7.00 for 7.30pm. Dinner 7.30–9.00pm. Awards 9.00–9.30pm. Dancing with DJ 9.30–11.30. On the Saturday evening at the Scottish Optical...
Michael Barrymore’s laser eye adventure goes viral
In an electric episode that’s taken social media by storm, TV legend Michael Barrymore has joined world-leading laser eye surgeon Professor Dan Reinstein for a real patient procedure – with an impromptu saxophone concert pre-surgery. The 60-second video, now clocking...
Introducing: the Glaucoma Field Defect Classifier
For patients with advanced glaucoma, there are no treatments to reverse severe sight impairment (blindness). Support in the community is essential but requires a certificate of visual impairment (CVI) signed by a consultant ophthalmologist. The criteria for certification are ambiguous...
Sight Scotland partners with Pleasance to boost accessibility for thousands at Edinburgh Fringe
Sight Scotland, supported by Sight Loss Councils, has partnered with famous fringe venue the Pleasance to deliver specialist visual impairment awareness training to over 250 of its staff ahead of this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The training is set to...
Seeing with fresh eyes: Snails as a system for studying sight restoration
Stowers scientists have established the apple snail as a new research organism for investigating eye regeneration, which may hold the key for restoring vision due to damage and disease. Snails are slimy, simple creatures yet one species, the apple snail,...
Oban blind man could voice Lidl's new self-checkouts
An Oban man who lost his sight over a decade ago is one of ten finalists in Lidl’s nationwide search for the voice of its new Scottish self-checkouts. Alan MacDonald (46) is in the running to become the friendly voice...
Innovative glaucoma surgery first at Newmedica
An innovative glaucoma surgery has been performed at ophthalmology provider Newmedica for the first time. The ELIOS procedure is a type of minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) performed during cataract surgery, which uses a laser device to make the channel....
Conference Preview: SightCare LIVE 2026
New dates. New location. Same unmissable experience. SightCare is delighted to announce that SightCare LIVE 2026 – the flagship conference, awards and exhibition – will take place on Sunday 26 and Monday 27 April 2026 at an exciting new venue:...
Top blind artist celebrates his love of braille by designing unique limited-edition tactile coffee tin
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of braille, the UK’s top braille artist is having a summer of love for braille, blindness and coffee. Clarke Reynolds, also known as Mr Dot in recognition of his incredible career creating braille-inspired art, has...
