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Abstracts from the online Women in Vision UK Annual Meeting 2022 are presented.

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

At the College, we champion optometry and the important role it plays in health care. We amplify the expert voice of optometrists and continuously strive to advance the profession.

Our aims are to ensure that optometrists' skills are constantly developed to meet new models of eye care and improve patient outcomes.

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

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

Our vision sets out how we will ensure that optometrists remain at the forefront of eye care provision.

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.

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

We launched our workforce vision for the UK in August 2022, here’s what we have achieved since.

Anuj Patel MCOptom discusses prevention of infectious diseases, patient pathways and the importance of communication.

The NICER study has led to the creation of a new digital health app, which helps predict the likelihood of myopia.

Our workforce vision sets out to keep optometrists at the forefront of eye care provision, and continue to be valued and recognised as key healthcare professionals.

Denise Voon MCOptom, Clinical Adviser for the College, on what to do when we lack confidence in our own abilities.

The College of Optometrists has joined senior leaders from the NHS, social care and the charity sectors, to unveil a new UK-wide Eye Care Support Pathway.

In this recorded webinar, Jeff Hogg explores the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what defines AI as a medical device (AIaMD).

In each issue, Acuity poses a topical question to a panel of members.

The College of Optometrists has launched a new vision which sets out its ambitions for the future of the profession, and its plans to put the optometric workforce at the forefront of eye care provision, education and research.

Podcast: This month we talk to the inspirational Professor Shahina Pardhan - the first female Professor of Optometry in the UK.

Three optometrists talk about the skills and experience needed to become an effective supervisor.

Professor Shahina Pardhan FCOptom, director of ARU’s Vision and Eye Research Institute, has received the honour for services to optometry and preventing blindness.

Podcast: College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Rebekah Stevens, Lead Assessor at the College, about what true equity should mean for women.

A message from Leon Davies, College President

College Clinical Adviser gives evidence to the House of Lords Integration of Primary and Community Care Committee.

Podcast: College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to the President and Vice President of the College about their journeys to leadership.

Kathy Oxtoby looks at the role of the Physician Associate – and why one might be contacting an optometrist soon.

The College has offered support in addressing some of the key challenges the NHS faces in delivering eye care services.

The College of Optometrists led stakeholders from across the sector to undertake a survey of the optical workforce.

Dr Gillian Rudduck MCOptom marks the launch of the UK Eye Care Data Hub.

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

Welcome to the UK's leading optometry conference - our flagship CPD event!

A message from Leon Davies, College President

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.

In this session, we will explore how to expand your scope of practice as an optometrist.

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.

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

Standards and guidance for non-medical eye healthcare professionals to deliver patient care in a multidisciplinary team setting.

How women are taking the lead In optometry and changing the face of the profession.

We welcome the publication of the House of Lords Committee inquiry report on integrating primary and community care and are pleased to see that the Committee has accepted our main recommendations.

The College of Optometrists is leading a sector-wide and UK-wide, multi-professional eye care workforce supply and demand data modelling project.

In the third part of our series on ageing, Anna Scott discovers how older populations with poor eye health affect supply and demand in the optometry profession.

The College of Optometrists issues statement regarding the government announcement that the Physician Associate (PA) role is to be regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Podcast: Dr Jeffry Hogg answers all those questions there wasn't time to cover during his webinar on AI and optometry.

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

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

A message from Leon Davies, College President

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.

We speak to Dr Aleksandra Mankowska MCOptom, Lecturer at the Bradford School of Optometry and Vision Science, College Treasurer and Council member, about delivering eye care services to those who need them most.

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.

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

The event, one of the highlights of the College’s annual calendar, took place at Central Hall, Westminster on Tuesday 7 November.

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.

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 NHS Long Term Workforce Plan recognises the knowledge and skills of eye care providers in alleviating the pressures in the eye care service.

We had a fantastic three days at 100% Optical 2025, connecting with optical professionals, showcasing exciting learning opportunities, and championing the role of optometrists in eye health care.

With the Diploma Ceremony taking place on 18 November 2025, we’re celebrating this special milestone with stories of your special day.

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 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.

During a busy September, the College travelled around the UK to meet excited first-year optometry students as part of its 2025 student roadshows.

We are looking to commission a suitable organisation or individual to conduct a sector-wide and UK-wide, multi-professional eye care workforce supply and demand data modelling project.

Taking place between 1 and 3 March at London’s Excel, 100% Optical is now in its 11th year and attracts over 10,700 global optical professionals.

The College of Optometrists calls for vital community minor and urgent eye care services to be universally commissioned in England

The College welcomed two new Council members at its AGM, held in Birmingham on Tuesday 29 April 2025.

The College is set to award the Optometric Practice Educator (OptPE) affix to a first group of optometrists at the AGM on Tuesday 29 April.

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 number of people with glaucoma, AMD and cataracts is set to increase over the next 10 years. This new online tool will be a critical planning resource for commissioners and providers of eye health care.

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’.

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.

The College of Optometrists has awarded three new Life Fellowships and two new Honorary Fellowships in 2023 to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the profession or to the College.

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

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved the third specialist qualifications output of the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE), entitled "Enhancing the scope of practice in optical professionals".

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 has awarded the first OptPE affix, its first-ever educational affix, to the inaugural group of optometrists who have completed the College’s enhanced training for supervisors.

The College partners with Springer Nature to take OPO into its second century.

Expanded Optometry Tomorrow 2024 offers a bumper weekend of lectures and hands-on workshops for eye care professionals.

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.

College welcomes the GOC’s thematic review on commercial practices and patient safety.

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

The College highlights how eye care is already well-placed to meet aims.

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

Welsh Government agrees additional financial support for optometry services, with new research centre to be established.