News
Andean Medical Mission in action 2025
Dear friends and supporters, What 12 months it has been for the Andean Medical Mission! Thanks to your encouragement and generosity, we’ve been able to continue our work to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Beni region of Bolivia — and...
Has ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ gone too far?
The past few decades of surgery since the ‘mad cow disease’ have been dominated by a push to switch to disposable instruments. The reason is to prevent cross-contamination and reduce the risk of surgical site infections – especially so with...
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...
Imagination
"Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” In this quote by Albert Einstein, he reminds us that whilst logic is useful for practical solutions, the expansive nature of imagination breaks boundaries. It can lead...
Survey: Dacryocystorhinostomy International Practice
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is widely recognised as the gold-standard surgical intervention for managing nasolacrimal duct obstruction, particularly when medical therapy fails to restore adequate lacrimal drainage. Both external and endonasal (endoscopic) DCR approaches have evolved considerably over recent decades, with technological...
Researchers identify a novel genetic cause of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy
Researchers identify a novel genetic cause of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, offering new ways for future therapies to target this common, age-related cause of visual loss. In a landmark study, researchers supported by NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre, have identified...
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...
NHS Practitioner Health releases National Guide for Health and Care Professionals Affected by Suicide
To mark the second year of the UK’s National Suicide Memorial Day for Health and Care Workers, NHS Practitioner Health will launch a suicide prevention and postvention navigation guide for health and care professionals. The National Suicide Memorial Day for...
Introducing BEAMS: A new national society for medical retina specialists
The specialty of medical retina is evolving. Initially, limited to pattern recognition and in later times, laser treatment, the past 20 years has seen an explosion of intravitreal therapies and a very rich pipeline resulting in sight-saving outcomes and hope...
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...
The Royal College of Nursing: Advanced Level Practice for Ophthalmic Nursing
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) is delighted to let you know that the RCN Ophthalmic Nursing Forum have recently published their Advanced Level Practice for Ophthalmic Nursing competencies guidelines, which can be found here. "Ophthalmic nursing offers opportunities for...
Treatment for cause of sudden sight loss now available through the NHS in England
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has approved a treatment for Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), called Idebenone (Raxone), in those aged 12 and above who are affected by the condition. LHON is a rare mitochondrial genetic...
