Search results for COVID-19

From the start of the first lockdown in March 2020, teaching in higher education saw a significant move to online learning. How has this impacted the postgraduate independent prescribing programme?

The College of Optometrists issues a statement on the amber guidance.

The College provides the latest news, research, advice and guidance on COVID-19, and all the key optical topics. These are regularly reviewed to ensure you are completely up-to-date with your practice.

Eye health issues that are making the news.

Reflecting on our experience over the summer of 2020 allowed us to scale up our programme delivery to address the education of our Stage 3 cohort.

Clinical files: Can I prescribe a prescription-only medicine based on my findings and working diagnosis from a remote consultation?

Eye health issues that are making the news.

COVID-19 and its impact on eyecare: a review

We have updated our Amber phase COVID-19 guidance to help practices across the UK deliver eye care safely and effectively at this stage of the pandemic.

Podcast: Martin talks to Professor John Lawrenson FCOptom about his OPO paper discussing the evidence relating to COVID-19 and the eye, methods of transmission and practice implications.

The College’s Clinical Editor on renewed excitement and optimism in the profession.

As our Editor in Chief steps into a new role, we look at how hospital clinics and practices coped with the pressures of the pandemic, and how we can provide services tailored to patients' needs.

Following the national lockdowns announced across the UK, some members have expressed concerns that their employers are not following Amber Phase guidance.

Our regularly updated clinical and professional guidance is cited by NHS England and all the UK health authorities, and has been developed to ensure that you can practise safely and effectively through all phases of the pandemic.

The antimalarial drug may be a glimmer of hope as coronavirus takes hold across the world, if the threat of retinopathy can be managed.

This article reviews the utility of telemedicine in community practice.

As of Monday 29 June 2020, all four UK nations are in the amber phase of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read on for the answers to your COVID-19 questions, covering a range of topics from driving and HES referrals to PPE and tonometry.

As the pandemic continues to affect people’s lives across the UK, interest in a viable vaccine is growing. The College's Director of Research, Michael Bowen looks at what guidance optometrists can offer patients on potential COVID-19 vaccines.

As society continues to open up, the Optometry in Practice editorial board thought it opportune to reflect on the experiences of the pandemic to date and assess the impact on both eyecare professionals and our patients.

Watch our video and read our FAQs for more information on eye care provision under the new national restrictions.

Throughout the pandemic we’ve been producing videos, podcasts, webinars and journal articles to keep you informed, entertained and help support you through the lockdown. We’ve also developed new learning materials to help you adapt your practice – and gain CPD points.

Three optometrists – hospital-based, in the community and newly qualified – on how they have fought back against the pandemic over the past 12 months.

This article describes an audit to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic affected hospital contact lens services.

Asymptomatic testing for COVID-19 to pause from 31 August 2022.

We provide a range of resources for optometrists to use in practice or remotely, including template forms, posters and downloads, and a visual acuity chart and other resources for remote consultations. Some of these have been developed exclusively for our members.

Léa Surugue looks at how to carry out effective virtual consultations in a time of social distancing and discusses the clinical and legal pitfalls.

This study investigates the opinions of contact lens practitioners at the end of lockdown about the changes they implemented.

Join Nicola and Oliver Gatehouse, owners of Ball & Gatehouse Opticians, as they update you on the challenges they have faced in their practice since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since our first update on 20 March 2020, right at the start of lockdown, we’ve been providing timely, relevant news, information and guidance that you can trust.

Lockdowns led to cancelled operations and check-ups. Becky McCall looks at the legacy of the pandemic for eye disease and sight loss, and the lessons that have been learned.

This paper describes how viruses infect, reproduce and damage cells. Knowing this process is critical for understanding how to treat ocular viral infections.

UKHSA confirms that changes to the self-isolation period following Covid exposure applies to healthcare workers

We’ve been working with governments and eye health organisations across the UK to ensure that you have the all the latest news, information and regulations relating to optometry and COVID-19 in your nation.

Emma Bennett explores the link between a rise in screen time during the pandemic and increasing levels of myopia in children. 

This article summarises the key findings of a survey taken by members of the College of Optometrists investigating changes in clinical optometric practice in the UK as a result of the pandemic including the challenges and benefits identified.

The vision sets out three key principles and recommendations for the development and governance of high quality eye care service.

The College, alongside representatives from ABDO, AOP, FODO and GOC, have answered your questions on delivering eyecare during the Amber phase.

How the pandemic has created new trends in contact lens wear and compliance.

This article reviews the research into digital technology innovation and home monitoring in the management of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

We've issued advice to help the general public look after their eyes during lockdown.

Dr Simon Frackiewicz MCOptom covers some practical advice for optometrists to help regain confidence in binocular vision, which may have been affected by the altered ways of working during the pandemic.

With COVID-19 affecting so many areas of our lives, Helen Gilbert looks at the impact the pandemic is having on optometric and ophthalmological research.

For the very last issue of Optometry in Practice, Professor Jonathan Jackson MCOptom reflects on the past two decades of the journal and its contribution to our learning.

Department of Health and Social Care has not taken on board the advice of The College of Optometrists in their decision to press ahead with mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

The College of Optometrists’ member app helps support members in providing the best possible patient care.

It is rare for respiratory viruses to cause eye infections, writes Kim Thomas, but they may use the eye as a portal of entry. And what is the mechanism behind their travel to the respiratory system?

We have reviewed and updated our Guidance for Professional Practice to ensure it aligns with each Nation’s public health advice, including the recommended respiratory infection prevention and controls to minimise risk of transmission.

Clinical files: The local glaucoma service called the practice and requested a patient’s historic intraocular pressure results. Can I give these out over the phone?

From vaccine hesitancy to blue-light filters, Steve Smethurst looks at the erroneous but unbudgeable beliefs that should be buried for good.

We are aware of a petition regarding examination testing times during the pandemic. Read our statement.

The College of Optometrists' and ABDO's joint position on mandatory vaccinations.

Sophie Goodchild examines the success of online learning for providers and practitioners, and what the future holds.

Clinical files: A patient refuses to wear a face covering when attending a primary care practice for a sight test. What should I do?

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom, Clinical Adviser for the College, on the vital importance of professional judgement.

The College has written to the GOC in support of an extension to the temporary changes made to the Optometry Handbook and Supervision policy by the GOC in August 2020.

We've written guidance for optometry practices on screening and managing patients with symptoms of respiratory infection.

Optometrists are taking part in one of the biggest medical breakthroughs in decades, learning new skills, boosting their confidence and expanding the profession’s scope of practice. Radhika Holmström reports.

In the letter, we highlight the importance of vaccination against transmissible diseases, and the responsibilities our professionals have.

Clinical files: Do I need to wear a face mask in the staff room?

Online eyewear sales surged during Covid-19. With many patients still opting to buy online, says Helen Bird, how can optometrists reassert their value and help to drive dispensing back in store?

The College responded to a DSHC consultation to support the extension of provision of free PPE to the health and care sector, including optometrists, after 31 March.

Clinical Files: What steps should I take to ensure my practice remains open to provide eye care safely and protect my staff, while we are in the green phase?

A message from Colin Davidson, College President.

Survey published as optometric services expand across England to offer wider care to patients

Podcast: Professor Leon Davies FCOptom, Editor of OiP, and Professor Shahina Pardhan MCOptom, Director of Vision and Eye Research Institute at ARU, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on eye health and eyecare.

Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, Clinical Adviser for the College, on why PPE should remain on the front line of optometric practice.

College of Optometrists encourages the public to seek eye care if they have concerns about their vision or eye health.

Use our online resources and materials to support your continuing professional development and earn essential CPD points.

A message from Colin Davidson, College President.

MILLIONS of Brits could be suffering from eye problems dubbed ‘coronavision’ after feeling that their sight deteriorated during lockdown, according to a study for the College of Optometrists.

Podcast: In this episode, Daniel has a fascinating conversation with Professor Jose-Luis Jimenez, aerosol expert and fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado Boulder, USA.

Here we summarise three research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

Find out what our Clinical Adviser has to say about a study published by the University of Hong Kong linking COVID-19 restrictions, screen time and myopia in children.

Clinical files: How can I safely use a visual field machine during the recovery phase of the pandemic?

Daniel Hardiman-McCartney on harnessing the momentum generated in response to the pandemic.

The optical sector has confirmed that frontline healthcare workers throughout the UK will be offered the COVID-19 booster vaccination this autumn. This includes optical staff working in primary eye care settings.

Podcast: In the first of a series of 'takeover' episodes, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom talks to Kush Mandavia MCOptom about how to take care of our own wellbeing.

Does vitamin D play a role in reducing the risk of COVID-19 infection, and what does this mean to the UK’s BAME communities? Mike Bowen, Director of Research at the College of Optometrists, considers the evidence.

Join Faye McDearmid MCOptom, optometrist at Campbell & McDearmid in Redcar, as she updates us on her week at work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Podcast: In this episode, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom talks to Maninder Gudray MCOptom Dip TP(IP) about the impact of COVID-19 on optical practices and what practice owners could be doing to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their practice.

Becky McCall asks how shifts in working practices caused by the COVID-19 pandemic might change the ophthalmic services workforce.

The College, ABDO, the AOP and FODO have issued guidelines on appropriate infection prevention and control measures following recent government announcements.

Podcast: College Council member and optometrist, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom, takes over our airwaves for the final time in with his third COVID-themed podcast.

Non-medical contact lens fitting can now take place during the amber phase of the pandemic.

Podcast: Daniel talks to Dr Melanie Hingorani FRCOphth, Clinical Lead for Eye Care Restoration and Transformation at NHS England, about the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on referrals.

This outlines a COVID-19 Urgent Eyecare Service delivered from a network of optical practices, acting as urgent eye care hubs, to support the immediate and recovery phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

Podcast: The College hosted a webinar in January 2021 with a panel of representatives from The College, ABDO,AOP, FODO and GOC, answering questions from practitioners on the national lockdown.

The College has been involved in discussions with NHSE to ensure optometrists are given access to COVID-19 vaccinations as early as possible.

Our advice on eye protection when working in the home or garden.

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Northern Ireland will affect optometrists.

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Scotland will affect optometrists.

We are pleased to announce that each nation's health system has confirmed that they support a move to the ‘Green’ phase on Tuesday 10 May 2022. From then, the College’s COVID-19 Amber phase guidance will no longer apply in all UK nations.

We explain how the easing of restrictions in Wales will affect optometrists.

We explain how the additional restrictions announced in Wales will affect optometrists.

The fourth and final part of Dr Deacon Harle's experiences of providing urgent and essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr Deacon Harle FCOptom, Optometrist and Director at Osborne Harle in Kent, records his experiences of working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The third part of Dr Deacon Harle's experiences of providing urgent and essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The second part of Dr Deacon Harle's experiences of providing urgent and essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Update on optometric practice following the Government's announcement of new national restrictions in England

Due to the increasing case prevalence of COVID-19, some local public health authorities are now asking practices to review their mask-wearing guidance.

Join Rosie Gavzey MCOptom as she takes you through her experience of volunteering at London’s NHS Nightingale Hospital.

The Secretary of State for Health has announced stricter lockdown measures in Leicester for a two week period due to a rise in COVID-19 cases in the city.

We explain how additional restrictions will affect optometrists working in Tier 4 areas.

Join David Cummins MCOptom, Optometrist and Partner at PLM Optometrists in Scotland, as he takes you through a series of real-life cases, managed at his practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our growing range of resources will ensure that you can provide the best possible patient care during these uncertain times. 

From today, optometrists in the whole of the UK will return to the Green phase as we stand down the Amber phase COVID-19 guidance.

The Westminster government has announced the easing of lockdown measures, including the opening of non-essential shops, from 15 June.

Due to the increase in COVID-19 cases, regional NHS bodies in England are asking practices to review their mask-wearing guidance.

The Scottish government recommends the continuation of universal masking in optometry practices.

We outline COVID-19 testing information for optometrists in all four UK nations.

Mark Drakeford, First Minister for Wales, has announced additional restrictions from 6pm on Friday 23 October 2020 for two weeks.

The College and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists has sent the following letter to Jo Churchill MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Prevention, Public Health and Primary Care.

Ensure your skills are up-to-date with our COVID-19 CET

Join Donya Gharanei MCOptom, Optometrist at Specsavers Opticians in Acocks Green, as she discusses the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together with ABDO we advise that practices should continue to operate in the amber phase and maintain high infection control standards this summer.

An update from ABDO and the College of Optometrists following the Governments' announcement on the easing of lockdown.

Eyecare provision as lockdown eases across the UK.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister and First Minister for Scotland announced new national restrictions to help tackle the rising number of coronavirus infections and ease pressure on NHS and related health

Five ways students can get the most out of studying from home in uncertain times

Join Gemma Hill MCOptom, Optometrist and Owner of Forde Opticians, as she takes you through her life as a ‘one-man band’ in her independent practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Gemma Hill MCOptom, Optometrist and Owner of Forde Opticians, as she updates us on her life in practice and search for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join optometrist, Furyal Mahmood MCOptom, as she reflects on her new 'normal’ after being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The GOC has approved an extension of temporary changes to their Optometry Handbook and Supervision policy

The Department of Health and Social Care is consulting on proposals for mandatory COVID-19 and flu vaccinations for all frontline health and social care workers in England.

Join optometrist, Hamza Mussa MCOptom, as he reflects on his experience being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Locum optometrist, Hassnain Safdar MCOptom, updates us on his experience as part of the Test and Trace team, and reflects on the current local lockdown in Leicester.

Healthcare organisations from across England have written a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson calling for face masks to be mandatory in healthcare settings.

Our resources to help you navigate the amber phase of the pandemic.

Insiyah Bharmal MCOptom, Optometrist at Vision Express in Nottingham, takes you through her journey of returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Jagdeep Singh MCOptom, Optometrist at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, as he takes you through his new routine, both inside and outside the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Jagdeep Singh MCOptom, Optometrist at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, for part two of his experience working in hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnathan Waugh MCOptom reflects on his time working in a COVID-19 Assessment Centre at the beginning of the pandemic in part one of his diaries.

Johnathan Waugh MCOptom reflects on his time testing for COVID-19 in care homes in part two of his diaries

How lockdown restriction easing will affect optical practices and guidance on the appropriate application of the self-isolation exemption in Scotland following recent government announcements.

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians and The College of Optometrists urge all employers to support their clinicians and their teams to maintain the high standards of infection control.

The College of Optometrists and The Royal College of Ophthalmologists have released a joint statement of our vision for safe and sustainable patient eye care services.

Join Josie Evans MCOptom, Optometrist at Linklater & Warren Opticians, as she reflects on her experiences and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sector bodies will come together on 14 January to answer your questions.

As lockdown eases, final year Plymouth student Luke McRoy-Jones reflects on his experience since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

College of Optometrists issues advice as part of National Eye Health Week

Matt Roney MCOptom, Specialist Optometrist at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, takes us through his new life in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today’s announcement will see more areas in England move to Tier 4 lockdown arrangements.

The College issues advice following the Prime Minister's announced that the UK would return to COVID Alert Level 4.

The UK‘s public health bodies and the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges have published new guidance about personal protective equipment (PPE).

Following the announcement by the Secretary for Health that the isolation period for people who test positive for COVID-19 will be cut to five full days in England, NHSE has confirmed this will apply in primary care settings.

Following on from the joint vision statement for England published in August 2020, both Colleges have reviewed and built on the learnings over the past year resulting in a joint statement for the UK.

Listen to the first in our short series of lockdown podcasts with Dr Parth Shah MCOptom.

We summarise the current evidence relating to the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 virus for optometrists.

The pandemic continues to affect the way primary and secondary eye care services are provided for patients in England.

The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously affected the provision of eye care in primary and secondary care.

Services expand as The College of Optometrists’ survey shows 22% of people noticed their vision get worse over the course of lockdown

In line with the government’s new national restrictions in England, we have advised members that all practices remain open to provide services.

Our response to the Royal College of Ophthalmologist's guidance on reopening and redeveloping services after COVID-19

Join Paddy Gunn MCOptom, Principle Optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, as he reflects on the challenges faced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Participate in the government-funded UK-REACH study to help understand why people from certain ethnic minorities are more likely to have severe COVID-19.

Our guidance is aimed to help keep optometrists and their patients safe.

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.

In light of measures being introduced by the government across the UK, here is our guidance on dealing with local lockdown measures.

Join Seraphina Yap, pre-reg trainee at PLM Optometrists in Scotland, as she navigates her new life on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic with her supervisor David Cummins MCOptom DipTP (IP).

Join Seraphina Yap, pre-reg trainee at PLM Optometrists in Scotland, as she reflects on her life as a pre-reg during the start of the pandemic with her supervisor David Cummins MCOptom DipTP (IP).

Our latest position statement on seeing patients in primary care during COVID-19.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has published the results of its 2021 public perceptions research.

Optometrist, Reiss Jhamat MCOptom, recounts his experience working during the pandemic, and the introduction of the local Leicester lockdown.

These temporary guidelines have been written to help optometrists who are conducting remote telephone/video consultations with patients.

We've issued advice, jointly with ABDO, following the Prime Minister's announcement that England would be removing all remaining COVID-19 legal restrictions from 24 February 2022.

We've responded to a consultation by the Department of Health and Social Care on making vaccination a condition of deployment in the health and wider social care sector.

Grant applications must be received by 31 March 2022.

Physical distancing in health and care settings (including community optometry practices) may be reduced in some areas.

There will be some changes to the guidance on the wearing of face masks for clinicians in Scotland.

Sector bodies advise that optical practices should continue to follow Amber guidance, and self-isolation exemptions in England are unlikely to apply in primary eye care settings.

Updated infection prevention and control guidance and manual have been published by the UK Health Security Agency for England.

We believe that vaccine uptake will be maximised when staff are supported to make their own decisions, having been provided with clear, evidence-based information on the benefit and value of vaccinations.

COVID-19: Electronic review forms now available

Optical bodies have grouped together to recognise the efforts of the optical profession to provide the best possible care for patients throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Hassnain Safdar MCOptom, a Locum based in the East Midlands, as he navigates through his new 'normal' during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join optometrist, Tina Chudasama MCOptom, as she reflects on being furloughed while between jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In conjunction with each UK Nation’s health system and government public health bodies, optometry practices are expected to move to “Green” phase in early May 2022.

Research optometrist, Tulsi Parekh MCOptom, reflects on the ups and downs of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clarification on the UKHSA statement on changes to physical distancing, patient COVID-19 testing and cleaning procedures.

Did you know the College has a full online events programme available just for members? Book your space now!

The Department of Health and Social Care has recently issued updated guidance on mask wearing in care homes in England.

There have been some changes to the guidance on managing healthcare staff with symptoms of a respiratory infection or a positive COVID-19 test result.

We have updated our Amber phase COVID-19 guidance and COVID-19 FAQs.

This guidance has been developed by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) and the College of Optometrists (CoO) in response to the pandemic and may be subject to change.

Many of you have been in touch to ask about the Covid-19 vaccination programme. All UK representative bodies are working together and will keep the sector up to date with developments.

If you are a locum or non-NHS provider practice staff, LOCSU has created a vaccine portal to ensure you are registered locally to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

A joint statement from The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and College of Optometrists

This week, the GOC agreed to the College’s proposal for a more flexible approach to meeting logbook requirements for optometrists training to be independent prescribers.

The General Optical Council (GOC) sought views on how they can continue to support registrants and the optical sector throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

Updates to Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) classification and the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on eye strain and dry- eye-related symptoms

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stepped down its infection prevention and control measures for seasonal respiratory infection in health and care settings (including SARS-CoV-2) in England.

The College, in collaboration with FODO, ABDO and AOP, has developed a COVID-19 workforce risk assessment for primary eye care practices.

Join optometrist, Yasmine Sahraie MCOptom, as she gives us an insight into the Emergency Eye Care Treatment team in Grampian, Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.