News
College announces official partners for Optometry Tomorrow 2026
New partnerships will further expand the flagship conference’s renowned learning programme for 2026’s delegates. The College of Optometrists has today announced that the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, Royal College of Nursing and Royal College of Ophthalmologists will be its...
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh awarded Honorary Fellowship of The College of Optometrists for her outstanding contribution to eye health
The College of Optometrists has presented Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh with an Honorary Fellowship of the College in recognition of Her Royal Highness’s outstanding contribution to eye health. The Duchess is passionate about preventing avoidable sight loss...
Fiona Anderson, dispensing optician, takes office as Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
Dispensing Optician Fiona Anderson was installed this week as Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers. Fiona is much in demand around the world as a practical examiner and speaker. She is a Past President of both her own...
New UK study finds widespread hidden sensory loss
One in four over-50s has vision impairment and three quarters have some hearing loss. Groundbreaking research involving eye tests and hearing examinations with more than 500 over-50’s – the first of its kind in the UK – has revealed widespread...
Sight test saves Norma’s life
When you go for an eye test, the last thing you expect to be diagnosed with is a heart attack, but that is exactly what happened to a woman from Greater Manchester. Norma, from Stockport, was telling her story as...
New report calls for national funding to expand life-changing eye care technology
Optometry Scotland warns of “postcode lottery” Optometry Scotland (OS), the representative body for optical professionals, has published a landmark report calling for the full integration of an early diagnostic tool in primary eyecare across Scotland. Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) is...
The College of Optometrists announces new research scholarships, grants and bursaries are open for applications
The College of Optometrists has announced its programme of financial support for undergraduate students, postgraduate students and members engaging in research projects in the 2025-2026 academic year is open for applications. The College has a long history of providing financial...
Nominations now open for the College’s President’s Research Medal
The President’s Research Medal recognises and celebrates outstanding contributions to research and recognises a lifetime's career in optometric, eye health or vision science research. The President’s Research Medal is the College’s most prestigious research award. The winners of this award...
The College of Optometrists responds to the GOC’s 2025 Workforce and Perceptions Survey findings
College welcomes the GOC’s thematic review on commercial practices and patient safety. Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom, President of The College of Optometrists, said: “As the professional body for optometry, the College is concerned by the findings from the General Optical...
Joint statement on improving driver vision standards across the UK
UK road safety is under renewed scrutiny. As the Government prepares its new road safety strategy, we believe now is the time to modernise the UK’s approach to driving vision and make our roads safer for everyone. We welcome and...
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...
