4 December 2025

#TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from April to June 2025

From boosting children’s eye health awareness to celebrating our first OptPE affix and refreshing member learning - here’s how we shaped the profession in early 2025.

As part of #TheCollegeWrapped, we’re highlighting our work from April to June 2025, a period focused on advancing children’s eye health, supporting lifelong learning, and celebrating milestones in professional development. Here’s what we achieved from April to June. 

Clearer guidance for children’s eye health

Our 2025 research revealed that one in ten parents or carers will only take their child for their first visit to the optometrist if and when an eye health or vision issue arises, with around one in 12 going straight to their GP instead.

These findings highlighted the need for clear guidance and better signposting, helping families make informed choices and ensuring children get the right care promptly. Our work throughout 2025 has focused on raising awareness and supporting parents with reliable, accessible information.

Topic updates get a refresh

We relaunched our topic updates podcast series for members, offering bite-sized insights into the latest research and professional developments.

The refreshed format makes it easier for busy optometrists to stay informed and confident, keeping the profession at the forefront of clinical excellence. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to lifelong learning and professional development.

Celebrating our first OptPE affix for supervisors

In April, we marked a milestone at our AGM by launching the Optometric Practice Educator (OptPE) affix.

This award recognises supervisors who complete enhanced training, reflective practice, and peer review. The first recipients exemplify dedication to mentoring and nurturing the next generation of optometrists, reinforcing a culture of excellence and professional growth.

Welcoming new voices to the College Council

At the 2025 AGM, we welcomed two new Council members: Reena Rani Anand MCOptom (East Midlands) and Hafsah Raja MCOptom (South East).

Their appointments strengthen regional representation, bring fresh perspectives to leadership, and help guide the College’s strategic direction for the benefit of all members.

Training assessors and shaping the future

We completed our annual programme of assessor and examiner training for those working with us to deliver the Scheme for Registration. We also trained the first group of CLiP assessors, who are now delivering the first assessments on the programme. Our comprehensive training and standardisation processes ensure that all who qualify have met the same rigorous standards, consistently and fairly applied.

From improving children’s eye health guidance to celebrating leadership and innovation in professional development, the second quarter of 2025 demonstrates our ongoing dedication to supporting optometrists and advancing the profession. Stay tuned for more highlights as part of #TheCollegeWrapped

Related further reading

As we leave summer behind and head towards winter, growing demands on the NHS will no doubt fill news headlines.

The clinical figures that count.

Kellie Smith looks at how much parents know about eye exams for children and whether it’s an opportunity for optometrists to specialise the care they provide.