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The College of Optometrists Chair of the Board of Trustees has written an open letter to Simon Stevens and Matthew Swindells at NHS England about IT connectivity for primary optical care.

This guidance is to enable high-quality care for glaucoma patients, using the wide range of professional skills available.

What the NHS 10-Year Health Plan means for optometry in England

By Professor Irene Ctori FCOptom, Vice-President of The College of Optometrists

This member briefing outlines our views on the UK Government’s 10 Year Health Plan for England, detailing how the NHS will be reformed.

Evelyn Mensah, Consultant Ophthalmologist, talks about the steps she is taking to encourage equality.

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

Member briefing: We make recommendations on how falls teams could be supported in checking patients’ vision, and how we could support and encourage better connections between them and local optometrists.

Olivier Denève, College Head of Policy & Public Affairs, heralds a new era in UK politics and calls for action to end the eye care crisis.

We have responded to a Health Education England call for evidence making the case for greater investment in the optometry workforce to support better integrated eye care now and in the future.

New technologies mean that with the guidance of eye health professionals, prevention, promotion and treatment can be embedded in the local community, but this needs to be prepared for.

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

This week, the Department of Health and Social Care published details of its confirmed NHS sight test fee and NHS domiciliary fees from 1 April 2025, continuing professional development payments for 2024, and clinical placement training payments from 1 April 2025.

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

The four UK nations’ scopes of practice, pathways and eyecare initiatives are changing. Here’s how.

The Health Bill is part of the government's modernisation agenda to improve patient care in England.

Member briefing: The NICE guideline on the diagnosis and management on AMD includes recommendations for testing, and a comprehensive list of classifications to aid referral.

Research, including work carried out in high-street optometry practices, is driving innovation in clinical practice and at a policy level, writes Mark Gould.

College President Professor Leon Davies FCOptom represented the College at the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Eye Health and Visual Impairment this week.

Member briefing: A new NICE cataracts guideline came into effect on 25 October 2017. It is primarily for clinical treatments and surgery at ophthalmology level. However, there are implications for optometrists considering referral and in postoperative patient assessment.

As the demand for ophthalmology services among new and existing patients mounts, Sophie Goodchild explores a pathway to support people on NHS lists at every stage of their eye care journey.

The College has reviewed the evidence on the potential risks of using chloramphenicol POM eye drops for children less than 2 years old.

Member briefing: The revised NICE guideline Glaucoma: diagnosis and management came into effect on 1 November 2017. The member briefing below summarises the main points and outlines how it will affect you in practice.

Claire Moulds examines the impact of a power of attorney on the patient relationship.

We've responded to a consultation on the development of a new Integrated Care System model in Northern Ireland.

Podcast: College Clinical Advisers Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss the highlights of 2025 and what to expect in 2026.

A message from Professor Leon Davies FCOptom, College President.

We have submitted our response to the All Wales Common Ailments Service formulary consultation

Recommendations to discharge patients following routine uncomplicated cataract surgery.

A message from Leon Davies, College President

We have responded to the Home Office call for evidence on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

Member briefing: On 29 September 2016, the College hosted a landmark roundtable event in London, involving all the key optical sector organisations, to gather ideas for preparing for an uncertain future.

Independent MP – and independent optometrist – Shockat Adam talks about his first six months in Parliament and how he is bringing eye health care to the national stage.

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

This brief presents key findings from the latest evidence and offers recommendations to expand and fully integrate optometry-led urgent eye care services across England.

Gillian Rudduck MCOptom says we need to stick together.

We have responded to the Hewitt review: call for evidence on ICSs in England, to help inform a new way of working.

The College is committed to reducing vision-related falls. By working with UK falls services we can identify and support patients with failing vision. There are plenty of opportunities for members to get involved.

Clinical Adviser for the College Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom on how to ensure a sustainable optometry workforce.

We have responded to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on 'Regulating anaesthesia associates and physician associates.'

Podcast: College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, and Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, about their work in Parliament advocating for eye care professionals.

Contract reform is an important step forward for NHS Wales eye care, says Kellie Smith.

We have submitted our response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's cataract surgery standards scoping consultation.

A response from the College regarding concerns about the integrity of optometrists referring cataract patients to independent sector providers.

The aim of this consultation is to deliver a regulatory health and care system that is responsive, flexible, and resilient.

The Opticians Act 1989 underpins the General Optical Council’s regulatory work. Sophie Goodchild looks at why a review was needed, the response from stakeholders, and the next steps.

We have responded to the General Optical Council (GOC) consultation on regulation of optical businesses.

Where do you start when writing a clinical case study? We summarise the steps with advice from College Director of Knowledge and Research Mike Bowen.

We've issued a statement in response to the GOC's call for evidence to review the Opticians Act (1989).

Despite compulsory safeguarding training every two years, optometrists can still feel unsure of their duties. Kathy Oxtoby looks at what to do if you suspect a patient requires safeguarding.

Prime Minister has set out plans to end NHS England waiting list backlogs. Under the Elective Reform Plan, millions of patients will be able to access more appointments closer to home and get the treatment they need faster.

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

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.

Read our response to the GOC's draft Speaking Up guidance.

The government has progressed its commitment to moving more care from hospitals to communities.

The consultation seeks views on extending the range of medicines available to optometrists and contact lens opticians.

We respond to the Health and Social Care Committee inquiry into Ophthalmology Services in Wales.

We respond to UK Government’s proposals to regulate NHS managers in England.

This consultation is to agree on an approved list of eye preparations for inclusion in the Wales General Ophthalmic Services signed order formulary.

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

The main purpose of the bill is to abolish NHS England and centralise its services, creating single patient records where patient health information is available in one place.

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.

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

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.

As part of its 10-Year Health Plan, the government is proposing to extend the range of prescription-only medicines available for optometrists to supply under the medicines exemptions legislation.

A bill introduced by Shockat Adam MP proposes a nationally consistent, optometry-led glaucoma testing service in England to shift care from hospitals to community practices.

The College of Optometrists has welcomed the new appointments across the Department of Health and Social Care.

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.

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.

The College of Optometrists welcomes Healthwatch England’s recommendations to commission more optometry services within primary care to reduce hospital waiting times and improve patient outcomes.

The new NHS funding package aims to deliver an additional 20,000 cataract surgeries.

Following feedback from members we have finalised our response to the consultation on an optometrist apprenticeship standard, and our open letter to the Trailblazer Group.

The College has responded to a consultation on whether health and social care staff had the right skills and training to provide effective care to people with a learning disability or autism.

The College proposes 13 key changes to help minimise the risk of healthcare-associated infections and ensure the guidance remains aligned with the four Nations' public health advice.

Read our response to a consultation on the way the Northern Ireland Diabetic Eye Screening Programme is provided.

Our response to a recent contact lens promotion aimed at NHS workers

The purpose of this survey is to establish Council's views on the principal issues raised by the GOC consultation on proposed changes to its statement on testing of sight and supervision and delegation standards. These views will be used to inform the College's consultation response.

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.

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.

We responded to the Department of Health and Social Care’s consultation on Regulating healthcare professionals, protecting the public.

We have become aware of a temporary shortage of cyclopentolate minims.

We've issued a joint statement to tackle pressures on hospital eye departments.

The College has responded to a consultation on disclosing confidential information about patients.

We have responded to a consultation on the General Optical Council's (GOC) draft strategic plan 2020-27.

We responded to the GOC's consultation on its new draft Speaking Up guidance.

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.

The GOC has launched consultations on its remote hearings protocols, service of statutory notices and its hearings and indicative sanctions guidance.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has presented a draft response to its call for evidence on the need for change to the Opticians Act (1989) and the consultation on associated GOC policies to its Council.

The College broadly welcomes the General Optical Council’s (GOC) proposed changes to its optical business regulation framework following the regulatory body’s consultation with the sector earlier this year. 

The College helps clarify whether registrants can use CE-marked lissamine green ophthalmic strips.

We have responded to the GOC's consultation on whether, in some circumstances, it would be more appropriate to use email rather than post to deliver statutory notices.

We've responded to the GOC's hearings and indicative sanctions guidance consultation.

We have responded to the GOC's remote hearings protocol to support the fitness to practise process with the administration and progression of hearings as restrictive lockdown measures continue to ease.

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.

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.

The GOC is consulting on an update to its 2013 Statement on the testing of sight, alongside proposed changes to the Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and the Standards for Optical Students.

Members have been invited to have their say on the Guidance for Professional Practice - updated once every three years.

The College of Optometrists and the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) call on the government to make a long-term commitment to primary eye care in its NHS 10-Year Health Plan as part of the shift from hospital to community.

We all have the opportunity to ensure the 10 Year Health Plan for the NHS recognises the central role optometrists play in leading and delivering new models of care to improve patient outcomes.

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

We have responded to an NHS consultation on proposals for changing legislation.

The College of Optometrists has responded to the Department of Health Northern Ireland consultation on improving access to Help with Health Costs for those receiving Universal Credit.

Eye Care Services are experiencing increasing pressure due to greater patient need. This can lead to delayed treatment for patients who need hospital care.

The College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists have welcomed the move that will be the most significant shake-up of driving laws in a decade.

Read our position statement on a degree apprenticeship in optometry

Following feedback from members we have finalised our response to the consultation on an optometrist apprenticeship standard, and our open letter to the Trailblazer Group.

The MHRA has issued an alert to warn medical practitioners that Minims phenylephrine 2.5% eye drops. Read our advice

Thank you to all our members who have fed back on an optometrist degree apprenticeship consultation.

We would like your feedback on our draft response to the consultation on the optometrist degree apprenticeship standard.

The College has published a Q&A to address the most commonly asked questions from members on a degree apprenticeship in optometry.

With half the world's population estimated to be myopic by 2050, Olivier Denève, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, asks how we can explain the risks and benefits to patients.

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.

New cross-sector Eye Care Interoperability Steering Group has been formed to spearhead the development and implementation of common standards for eye care images in the UK.

Read our response to the consultation on conditions for which over the counter items should not be routinely prescribed in primary care.

Guidance published recommending NHS commissioners to make better use of expertise in primary eye care.

Read the College's response to the NICE consultation on its quality standard for dementia (February 2019).

Read our statement on recent press articles about people who have experienced deterioration in their vision related to a batch of intraocular lenses.

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

A joint statement has been issued on the General Optical Council’s proposed new framework for optometric education.

We have responded to the Department of Health and Social Care consultation on 'Healthcare regulation: deciding when statutory regulation is appropriate.'

The consultation covered OCT use in diabetic retinopathy referral, shared decision making for cataract surgery, and glaucoma referral criteria.

We have responded to the The Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch’s investigation on the “Lack of timely monitoring of patients with glaucoma”.

Next steps to building strong and effective integrated care systems across England.

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

Find out what the College has been doing to influence government eye care policy across the UK.

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

The General Optical Council (GOC) regulates optometrists and dispensing opticians, and some eye care practices. It sets standards for their performance and conduct. The GOC is consulting on proposed changes to the way NHS sight tests can be delivered.

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

National optical representative bodies [1] have welcomed the Fuller Stocktake report on integrating primary care in England.

The College, The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) back the Government’s commitment to put patients in the driving seat and give them more control and choice over their care.

The College of Optometrists has collaborated with the RAC on its latest research into the issue of headlight glare. Under-35s, and those in conventional height vehicles, are more likely to say headlights are too bright, though three-in-10 SUV drivers still say most are.

We've responded to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists' (RCOphth) consultation on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) Services.

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.

Twenty years on from the introduction of free NHS eye examinations for all, we are helping shape the future of eye care in Scotland.

The College of Optometrists and the Association of Optometrists say new research shows “current vision checks aren’t keeping pace with what’s needed to keep everyone safe on the road”

The College is inviting members to provide final comments on our draft response to the GOC's Speaking Up consultation.

The GOC has launched a consultation on its new draft Speaking Up guidance, designed to support registrants to speak up about concerns, particularly those affecting patient and public safety.

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.

The College of Optometrists responds to OFNC update on the delay in announcing GOS fees and grants 2025/26.

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.

We have issued a statement about the decision to end glaucoma and cataracts enhanced eye care services in Hampshire and Isle of Wight at the end of this month.

The College of Optometrists used this year’s major political party conferences to promote key messages about optometry and eye health to MPs and ministers, aligning discussions with the NHS 10-year health plan.

Next Scottish government urged to go even further to meet the growing need for community eye care services to prevent sight loss.

Welsh government urged to go even further to advance optometry services and meet the growing demand for community eye care.

This position statement outlines cross-sector support for safe, ethical and evidence-based adoption of AI.

Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, today announced he is bringing the management of the NHS back into democratic control by abolishing NHS England.

The College calls for funding for primary eye care services to be prioritised to address NHS ophthalmology backlog.

The review sets the day-to-day budgets of government departments over the next three years.

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 DHSC consultation on revoking vaccination as a condition of deployment across all health and social care.

We have responded to the GOC consultation on the illegal supply of eye care services and optical appliances.

In our response, we have highlighted the critical role of primary eye care and the optometric workforce in delivering integrated, cost-effective NHS services.

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

Read our response to GOC's call for evidence to review the Opticians Act (1989).

The new framework recognises primary eye care as fundamental to NHS provision and local leadership.

The report found some patients are voluntarily avoiding essential eye care due to rising costs and insufficient financial support.

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.*

College responds to UKNSC consultation on childhood vision screening.

There has been an update to the summary of product characteristics for the Prescription Only Medicine form of chloramphenicol 0.5% multi-dose eye drops.

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

Read our round-up of the College's latest policy, influencing and member engagement activities in Wales.

The College responds to DVLA's consultation on amending the Road Traffic Act 1988 to allow registered healthcare professionals to complete DVLA medical questionnaires.

The College of Optometrists has responded to General Optical Council (GOC) consultation on draft guidance on the care of patients in vulnerable circumstances and maintaining appropriate sexual boundaries.

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

The College of Optometrists has submitted written evidence to the Senedd’s Health and Social Care Committee with our views on the Welsh Government's priorities for health and social care.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan is a crucial chance to expand and strengthen primary eye care by cutting hospital pressure and tackling inequalities in access across England.