News
SightCare Awards 2026 – celebrating excellence in independent optometry
The SightCare Awards 2026 are now open for entries - and this year, they’re bigger, bolder and more prestigious than ever. Set against the stunning backdrop of Edgbaston Stadium, Birmingham, the SightCare Awards return in black-tie style on Sunday 26...
OSA regulatory advice baton moves to new expert
The OSA’s regulatory advice service – a key element of membership for many optical businesses – is moving to safe new hands as Ann Blackmore retires after six years at the helm. Ann’s extensive knowledge of the optical landscape, both...
Conference Preview: UKEGS 2025
We’re always ecstatic when one of our media partners bring their conference to Scotland, especially when they land in our hometown of Edinburgh. Taking place in The Assembly Rooms, a beautiful 18th century venue in the heart of Edinburgh’s New...
Pioneering eye device restores reading vision to blind eyes
A pivotal European clinical trial of a new electronic eye implant has seen remarkable results. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed 84% of participants were able to read letters, numbers and words using prosthetic vision...
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...
Quantum imaging research could improve retinal scans
New EU-funded feasibility project is testing a quantum approach that could reveal finer detail in the eye than ever before. A European research consortium is exploring a new quantum imaging technique that could one day help clinicians see the earliest...
Scottish universities transform eye health research with retinal imaging resource
Retinal imaging network achieves millionth image milestone in fight against diseases. A Scottish research initiative which set out to safeguard retinal images for innovation in eye research has reached a major milestone. Having secured over one million retinal images since...
African-Caribbean ethnicity key risk factor for sight-threatening diabetic eye disease
People of African-Caribbean ethnicity with Type 2 diabetes are a third more likely to develop a condition called sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy (STDR) than other ethnic groups, according to researchers from King’s College London. The study, published in the journal Diabetes...
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...
Labour peer immortalised in bronze to celebrate achievements of vision impaired people
A bronze bust of Labour peer, the Rt Hon Lord David Blunkett – the UK’s first blind cabinet minister – has been unveiled at the House of Lords. The unveiling was part of a special event last night by national...
NHS Practitioner Health eBook Release - Understanding and Managing Your Emotions
To mark World Mental Health Day, NHS Practitioner Health was delighted to announce the release of the ‘Understanding and Managing Your Emotions’, a new eBook written by NHS Practitioner Health’s Medical Director, Dr Zaid Al-Najjar, alongside two of their highly...
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...
