Search results for 2024

Thank you to all our members who completed this year's Member Satisfaction Survey.

Clinical files: What impact should a patient's home genetics test have on my clinical decision-making?

The Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning has called for the development of a coordinated approach to eyecare in its response to NHS England’s 10-Year Health Plan.

Clinical files: How do I improve my conversion rate in clinic as a locum?

Voting opens on 25 January for The College of Optometrists' Council election.

Clinical files: I disagree with my senior colleague about prescribing a paediatric patient I saw in clinic. What should I do?

The guidance on mpox (previously known as monkeypox) is to ensure clinicians are aware of signs, symptoms and how to manage possible cases.

Clinical files: Do I have to refer an asymptomatic patient with a small pigment epithelial detachment (PED)?

The College of Optometrists offers support to hay fever sufferers on managing their symptoms.

Clinical files: What clinical waste bins do I need to comply with the regulations while recycling as much as possible?

We have responded to the Professional Standards Authority (PSA) consultation on two draft guidance documents.

Clinical files: Is a child who is not a resident of the UK eligible for an NHS-funded sight test?

Shadow Health Minister, Karin Smyth MP, has outlined Labour’s plans to support improved eye care services.

Clinical files: Can I prescribe medicines for intravitreal injection for the management of wet AMD patients?

We have responded to the General Optical Council (GOC) consultation on revised Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students and Standards for Optical Businesses.

Prioritising your health is incredibly important while studying. Find out how student, Rahul Verma, strikes a healthy balance between study and relaxation.

The College joined the biggest national conversation about the NHS in England in order to keep eye health high on the agenda.

Clinical files: Is it possible to offer myopia management to myopic patients who attend my practice using their external prescription for dispensing?

The College of Optometrists is calling on the next Westminster government to establish optometrists as the first port of call for anyone with an eye care issue.

Clinical files: I am a locum optometrist who has been working at a practice while the resident is on holiday. It is my last day at the practice, and I have a patient who needs a repeat visual fields test but declined to complete it on the same day. What should I do?

The College is urging parents to begin taking their children to see an optometrist before school age, especially if they or their parents require glasses with a strong prescription or there is any family history of eye problems.

Clinical files: A patient has declined to consent to parts of an eye examination after reading information online. What should I do?

As we head towards Halloween, we are warning against the use of novelty cosmetic contact lenses, unless supplied by an optometrist.

Clinical files: I have detected a typical choroidal naevus during a sight test on a new patient at my practice. Should I refer?

The College has offered its congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer and the Labour Party on their success in the General Election and on forming the next UK government.

In this blog post, College student rep Aneeka details what it's like to work in practice as an Optical Assistant alongside her studies

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced a £22.6bn increase in the day-to-day health budget, and a £3.1bn increase in the capital budget – the largest increase in spending outside of COVID-19 since 2010.

In this blog post, Jack talks about his time in practice and starting his career as a DO.

The College held two Diploma Ceremonies at Central Hall, Westminster on Tuesday 12 November.

Today the Prime Minister has responded to the Darzi Review - a rapid review to diagnose the problems in the NHS which sets out themes for the Government to incorporate into their 10-year plan for reforming the NHS in England.

Tell us your views in the Voice of the Eyecare Provider 2024 survey, before 18 October.

With less than three months until the end of the current CPD cycle here are a selection of CPD resources to help you complete your Interactive CPD domain.

With less than five months until the end of the current CPD cycle we've provided a selection of CPD resources to help you complete your leadership and accountability domain.

There is now less than two weeks before the end of the current CPD cycle. Please make sure to complete your CPD requirements before the end of the year.

We're now less than four months until the end of the current CPD cycle. Here are a selection of CPD resources to help you complete your Professionalism and Specialty CPD (AS/SP/IP) domain.

Take a look at our handy checklist to make sure you're on track to complete your CPD requirements before the end of the current cycle.

Docet (Directorate for Optometric Continuing Education and Training) provides free online CPD courses for GOC registered optometrists.

There is still time to register for the College of Optometrists’ flagship event, Optometry Tomorrow.

We are saddened to report the death of Frank Barraclough FCOptom on 31 January 2024.

Deborah Bott is the first author of the winning entry of the 2024 College of Optometrists Early Career Researchers Poster Competition.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved the fifth output of the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE).

The General Optical Council (GOC) has launched its consultation on revised Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians, Standards for Optical Students and Standards for Optical Businesses.

Headlight glare is a modern-day problem that results in many drivers, particularly older drivers, refraining from driving in the dark due to safety concerns.

Complete the College annual member survey by 30 July and you could win one of two £150 Amazon vouchers!

We are saddened to hear of the death of Helen Stanforth HonMCOptom in July 2023.

The Westminster government has launched a consultation on its 10 Year Health Plan to fix the NHS in England.

The College and Eye Research Group Oxford are collaborating to bring you a webinar on Monday 24 June, on how optometrists can get involved in research.

The October 2024 OSCE have now finished with 430 candidates completing their examinations.

National Eye Health Week runs from 23 to 29 September and is filled with activities that promote the importance of good eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all.

Judy Misra will be joining Optometry Wales as Chief Executive Officer on 1 April 2024.

The Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs) set out the evidence to inform your clinical practice and support professional judgement with respect to diagnosis and management.

The College welcomed a new President and seven new Council members at its AGM, held during the College’s conference, Optometry Tomorrow 2024 - now incorporating BCLA Focus - in Telford on 29 April.

This guidance supports members in preparing for and managing suspected or confirmed cases of measles.

A new standard clinical specification for community minor and urgent eye care, which aims to assure, support and enhance access to minor and urgent eye care locally across England, has been published today.

The new community feature will foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among eye care professionals

We have partnered with Ulster University to develop a series of learning modules to support optometrists who want to undertake research, from developing their understanding of research to acquiring the necessary skills.

The College’s Research Excellence Awards recognise achievements in optometric research, and the way in which they enrich the whole profession.

David O'Sullivan MCOptom, the Welsh Government's Chief Optometric Adviser, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) ‘for services to eye care in Wales’.

The College welcomed 364 visitors to its iconic headquarters, as part of this year’s Open House London and Heritage Open Days event on 15 September.

Our vision for better integrated eye care services

The College of Optometrists and BCLA (British Contact Lens Association) welcomed around 900 attendees at Optometry Tomorrow 24 - now incorporating BCLA Focus on 28-29 April.

Due to the increasing case prevalence of seasonal flu, COVID-19 and respiratory illness, it is vital that practices maintain high standards of infection protection and controls, and stay vigilant to local public health advice.

They are also calling for urgent implementation in Phase One of the 10 Year Plan.

He will take on the role following the College AGM in April, replacing Dr Mary-Ann Sherratt (Mas).

Becoming a College Council member is a great opportunity to represent your colleagues, promote your profession, and help shape the future of optometry.

We are saddened to report the death of Richard Pearson FCOptom, who died on 11 August 2024 at the age of 87.

The College has provided key information to help you identify cases and guidance on managing circumstances that are relevant to optometry practices.

The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) has launched a new framework to support low vision clinics.

We'll be putting together a regular list of CPD resources to help you meet your requirements. This month, we're covering the Communication and Clinical Practice domains.

Coinciding with National Eye Health Week this year, Party Conference season is an opportunity to raise the profile of eye health with MPs and ministers.

These are designed to support providers in developing qualifications to meet the GOC’s Education and Training Requirements for therapeutic prescribing contact lens specialisms.

The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) has published the output of its fourth project.

As the schools break up for the summer holidays, and many look forward to spending more time outside in the sunshine, the College has issued tips to support the public in protecting their eyes from the sun.

RAC research shows as many as eight in 10 drivers are affected.

Taking place between 24–26 February at London’s Excel, 100% Optical is now in its 10th year and attracts over 10,000 global optical professionals.

The College of Optometrists presented the annual Research Excellence Awards to 2024’s winners at its prestigious annual Diploma and Awards Ceremony on 12 November, held at Central Hall in Westminster, London.

The College of Optometrists was invited to provide evidence at the parliamentary hearing on The Safer Phones Bill, a private member’s bill aimed at protecting children’s rights and well-being in the digital age.

We have responded to the General Optical Council (GOC) consultation on its new strategy for 2025-2030.

Undergraduate optometry students are starting master's degrees with an integrated work-based placement known as CLiP.

The College awarded new Fellowships at the annual Diploma Ceremonies in Westminster in November 2024

We answer key questions from members about the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Personal Independence Payments (PIP) conditions coding list.

The College of Optometrists will be opening its doors to visitors once again for a College Open Day, organised jointly as part of the Open House London Festival and Heritage Open Days event on Sunday 15 September.

Patients will be paid £25 per session and all travel expenses will be reimbursed.

Taking place on Thursday 10 October, this year's World Sight Day campaign focuses on children's eye health.