News
Orthoptic apprenticeship
This is a landmark year for the Orthoptic Profession as we ready ourselves to launch the first ever BSc Orthoptic apprenticeship programme at The University of Sheffield. Apprenticeships already provide routes into a variety of careers in the NHS and...
ABDO welcomes two new regional leads for the North of England
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is welcoming two new regional leads for the North of England. Lynda Matthias FBDO has been a dispensing optician for 20 years and works as a locum dispensing across Yorkshire. Over the past...
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...
All-star cast brings Pride and Prejudice to life for milestone Talking Books anniversary
Leading sight loss charity, the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) is celebrating 90 years of its renowned Talking Books Service with a retelling of Jane Austen’s classic love story, Pride and Prejudice. Twelve of the UK’s best-loved actors...
National Usher Syndrome Helpline launched to provide one-stop support for people with Usher syndrome
Deafblind UK and Deafblind Scotland have announced the launch of a new Usher Syndrome Helpline, a dedicated national support service for people living with Usher syndrome and for families, carers and professionals supporting them. Launched by the charity partnership on...
Too bright to ignore: More than half of drivers affected by dazzling headlights say the problem is worse this winter than last
More than half of drivers who are dazzled by headlights – 57% – say the problem has worsened over the last 12 months with only three-in-10 (31) disagreeing, found comprehensive new RAC research supported by The College of Optometrists [1]....
ABDO welcomes a new regional lead for Northern Ireland
The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has welcomed Chris McConnell as the new regional lead for Northern Ireland. Chris McConnell, FBDO, is a dispensing optician based in Belfast with over a decade of experience in the optical industry. His...
Together we can address growing glaucoma patient need
Specsavers is urging the eye health sector to get behind proposals set out in Parliament to meet growing glaucoma patient need. The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is being urged to direct Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) – which...
Over 500 optometry students to start their CLiP placements in 2026
In 2026, the CLiP programme expands across UK universities, embedding supervised clinical training into optometry degrees. 2026 marks a significant transition in optometric education with the continued roll-out of Clinical Learning in Practice or CLiP. This is a new model...
Everyday diabetes medicine could treat common cause of blindness
Doctors have found that metformin, an everyday medicine for diabetes, is associated with less progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the commonest cause of blindness in western countries. People with diabetes over the age of 55 years taking metformin were...
Optometry Tomorrow 2026 - Early bird booking is now open
Secure your place today and take advantage of the early bird discount for the best value tickets. Bookings open today for Optometry Tomorrow 2026, The College of Optometrists’ flagship conference, on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 June at the Harrogate...
Eyecare clinic has clear vision for Ugandan village
The team from a sight-saving Worcester eye clinic are taking their skills to Uganda after being inspired by a patient whose charity work in Africa began following the tragic death of her husband. Newmedica Worcester – which offers a range...
