News
ABDO awards presented at graduation and prize giving ceremony
The president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), Kevin Gutsell, presented six special awards at the Association's recent graduation and prize giving ceremony held at Canterbury Cathedral. ABDO Life Membership was awarded to Fiona Anderson, SMC (Tech), BSc...
Scope Eyecare joins ABDO National Resource Centre as a new gold digital sponsor
The ABDO National Resource Centre (NRC) based in Birmingham has secured a new gold digital sponsor in Scope Eyecare. Scope Eyecare a leading healthcare and pharmaceuticals company specialising in ophthalmic and general health solutions, is proud to announce its sponsorship...
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers mourns Past Master Huntly Taylor FBDO
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers announces the death of much-loved and respected Past Master Huntly Taylor FBDO, on 17 May 2025. Huntly Taylor was a major influence in optics over many years. He began by qualifying as a Dispensing...
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...
ABDO welcomes Johnson & Johnson Vision as first Gold CPD Partner and exclusive 360˚ support programme launched
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is pleased to announce Johnson & Johnson Vision as its first Gold CPD Partner (Contact Lens Opticians) – alongside the launch of an exclusively curated 360˚ support programme. Recognising the importance of the...
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...
Mumsnet engaged by ABDO, College of Optometrists and OSA to promote children’s vision
Mumsnet, the most significant platform in the UK for parents to share concerns, ideas and information regarding their children’s wellbeing, has been engaged by ABDO, The College of Optometrists and the OSA. The biggest network for parents, the site attracts...
Primary eyecare welcomes Government’s commitment to improve access to care
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), The College of Optometrists and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their...
ABDO approved as a Registered Centre by the Chartered Management Institute
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) has approved the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) to be a Registered Centre. ABDO previously operated as an e-centre with CMI and this change allows ABDO to consider any future management and leadership training...
ABDO awards two Life Memberships and Medal of Excellence
Peter Black MBA FBDO FEAOO PGCAP FHEA and Julie Lees FBDO have been presented with Life Membership of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). In addition, Dr Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bartlam BSc (Hons) FBDO CL (Hons) LVA SMC (Tech) has...
SeeAbility’s Martyn Howlett wins at Optician Awards 2024
SeeAbility are delighted to announce that Senior Dispensing Optician and Dispensing Team Lead Martyn Howlett has won Dispensing Optician of the Year at the 2024 Optician Awards. The awards have been running for over 25 years and are a mainstay...
Young visionaries win global competition by re-designing the Glasses of the Future
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) celebrated UNICEF World Children’s Day by announcing the winners of ‘Glasses of the Future’, a global competition that invited children across the world to design the next generation of glasses. Lama...
