Conference Preview: OOC 2025
Leading us into July this year will be the 108th Oxford Ophthalmological Congress (OOC), the longest-standing congress dedicated to ophthalmology in the UK. This year, the OOC has attracted the largest number of abstracts it has ever seen in its...
Newmedica calls for transparency over glaucoma waiting lists and more collaboration with community optometrists
Ophthalmology provider Newmedica is calling for greater transparency by all providers over glaucoma waiting lists to tackle a ‘postcode lottery’ facing patients. Coinciding with Glaucoma Awareness Week (30 June – 6 July), Newmedica, which provides NHS and private ophthalmology services,...
The College of Optometrists welcomes the new community-based approach to health care in England
The College of Optometrists welcomes the new community-based approach to health care in England and highlights how eyecare is already well-placed to meet it. Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom, President of The College of Optometrists, commented: “The College of Optometrists is...
RNIB's verdict on the 10-Year Plan for the NHS
The UK Government has released the long awaited 10-Year Plan to reform the National Health Service (NHS) in England. The Plan outlines the details and proposals to deliver on the promised three changes which would transform healthcare across the country:...
Disability charity releases new film to improve eyecare for people with learning disabilities
Disability charity SeeAbility has launched a new short film for Learning Disability Week to raise awareness of how people with learning disability can get support with eyecare. The charity works to remove the barriers to eye care for people with...
A new community café operated by sight loss charity RNIB Scotland
Café VI serves a selection of sandwiches, cakes, hot drinks and other refreshments. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm. Located on Hillside Crescent, Café VI is an inclusive and accessible space, in line with RNIB Scotland’s...
Small grant award
Fight For Sight/Stargardt's Connected: Short Grant Award Fight for Sight and Stargardt's Connected are pleased to invite calls for early career clinical or research scientists proposing Stargardt’s research projects to collect preliminary or pilot data for developing competitive follow-on funding...
Blind West Lothian Man Set to Compete in National Futsal Final
A man from Armadale will compete in one of the UK’s top disability football events this month, after his team reached the final of the FA Disability Cup. Neil Atkinson (26) was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease at 17 – a...
Blind Inverclyde woman finds her voice
Claire Forde (29) from Greenock is no stranger to a microphone. Her journey into public speaking took a major step forward this year when she joined a newly launched Speakers Club, created to improve the confidence and communication skills of...
Patients “didn’t realise they had choice in receiving care,” finds new report on patient choice in elective eyecare
The current system of elective care is struggling to inform patients of their rights to choose healthcare providers and procedures, and offering little information or support when decisions need to be made, according to a new report. The report, Patient...
RNIB appoints Sir Jim Harra as new Vice Chair
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has appointed Sir Jim Harra to take up the roles of Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees and Chair of the Governance, Nominations and Remuneration Committee. Jim was previously a Permanent...
ABDO updates Level 2 Child Safeguarding with Ofqual accreditation
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has launched an updated ABDO CPD Child Safeguarding Level 2 course this month, accredited by Ofqual. The qualification is designed to enhance professionals’ understanding and implementation of child safeguarding practices within the optical...