News
College of Optometrists and RCOphth form new Eye Care Interoperability Steering Group
New cross-sector Eye Care Interoperability Steering Group formed to spearhead the development and implementation of common standards for eye care images in the UK . A new Eye Care Interoperability Steering Group has been established to accelerate the adoption of...
Scottish Government announces permanent free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people
Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland Veterans welcome the Scottish Government announcement today that free rail travel for companions of visually impaired people has been made a permanent policy across all ScotRail and Caledonian Sleeper services. Sight Scotland and Sight Scotland...
The College of Optometrists launches its manifesto for eyecare in Scotland: building on success
As Scotland marks 20 years since it became the only UK nation to introduce free NHS-funded eye examinations for people of all ages in 2006, The College of Optometrists is calling on the next Scottish Government to continue leading the...
Cataract surgery and the carbon footprint: Lessons in sustainability from Aravind Eye Hospitals, India
Climate change is among the most urgent global health threats. In 2016, environmental factors caused 13.7 million deaths worldwide, underscoring the link between planetary and human health [1]. Healthcare itself is not blameless. Globally, the sector accounts for 4.4% of...
The next evolution in cataract surgery: UKISCRS releases its Dropless Cataract Surgery Guidelines
Dropless cataract surgery is an evolving approach designed to simplify postoperative care by reducing or eliminating the need for patient-administered eye drops. The recently published guidelines by UKISCRS outline best practices to ensure safe, effective implementation of dropless techniques while...
New Year’s Honours: Chair of Deafblind UK awarded OBE for services to people living with deafblindness
Deafblind UK has today welcomed the announcement that its Chair, Robert Nolan, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours List for services to people living with deafblindness. Robert, who is deafblind himself and lives with Type 2...
Seven in ten UK adults support compulsory eye tests for drivers to improve road safety, new research reveals
The College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists say research shows “current vision checks aren’t keeping pace with what’s needed to keep everyone safe on the road” Seven in ten UK adults support calls for the introduction of mandatory...
College comments on the DHSC’s update on GOS sight test fees for England and clinical placement training payments for 2025/2026
This week, the Department of Health and Social Care published details of its confirmed NHS sight test fee and NHS domiciliary fees from 1 April 2025, continuing professional development payments for 2024, and clinical placement training payments from 1 April...
RNIB working with games studios to make VR more accessible
Abertay University and RNIB launch toolkit to make extended reality experiences more accessible for blind and partially sighted people. The new guidance launched in December 2025 will support accessible design in games and immersive experiences for blind and partially sighted...
Blind gaming group levels up at five years
A community of gamers with sight loss from across Scotland and Northern Ireland says its network is thriving as it marks its fifth anniversary. Formed during the pandemic lockdown in November 2020, as part of RNIB’s community work, the group...
Plymouth VCHP celebrates six months of clinics
Shared space with a GP surgery, in a dedicated outreach centre, has proved to be a great success for the Plymouth VCHP clinic. Located within the Shekinah Centre in the Stonehouse Creek area, the clinic is within an area with...
Mapping the Future of Vision Impairment Services in Scotland
Vision Collaborative Scotland, formerly the Scottish Vision Services Steering Group, has re-launched with a new name, a renewed purpose, and an ambitious vision. Now known as Vision Collaborative Scotland, the group of third sector partners is committed to transforming the...
