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Registration opens for Optrafair 20/20, April 4th to April 5th at the NEC

As the UK's original flagship optical event, Optrafair has a history of bringing all areas of optics together to promote cohesion and collaboration. In 2020, Optrafair brings you a carefully curated programme of lectures, workshops and panels designed to inspire and support everyone in the field.

Sheffield independent reaches out to homeless

Sheffield independent, Victoria Smith, who has an eponymous practice on the outskirts of the city, says providing eyecare for homeless people “makes me appreciate how much I have”.

FDA approves first contact lens (MiSight soft contact lenses) indicated to slow the progression of nearsightedness in children

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first contact lens indicated to slow the progression of myopia (nearsightedness) in children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old at the initiation of treatment. 

Alcon sponsors National Ophthalmology Database (NOD)

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has welcomed a funding boost from industry which will help it run its National Ophthalmology Database (NOD) for cataract surgery after NHS England ceased funding the audit tool in April.

GOC Interim Director steps down.

Dr Subo Shanmuganathan steps down as Interim Director of Education

GOC suspends Hertfordshire based optometrist

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend a registered optometrist based in Hertfordshire, from its register for nine months.

GOC suspends Hertfordshire based dispensing optician

The General Optical Council (GOC), the UK regulator for optometrists and dispensing opticians, has decided to suspend a dispensing optician based in Hertfordshire, from its register for twelve months.

MHRA alert: Phenylephrine 2.5% supply disruption

Minims phenylephrine 2.5% eye drops will be out of stock from the end of November 2019 until early January 2020

Caledonian Optical celebrate SMC tech highest exam results

Caledonian Optical lab technician, Keith Milne, is celebrating being awarded the highest marks in the SMC Tech (Level 4) exams – the most challenging test of spectacle lens manufacturing.

Optometrist apprenticeship degree standard update, everyone is encouraged to read the full story.

In the government initiative to open up access to degree level qualifications in health and other high-skill sectors, a trail blazer group has been exploring with the Institute of Apprenticeships a four-year optometrist degree course based on the apprenticeship model. The Institute of Apprenticeships is now consulting on progress so far. The consultation is open until 9 December. The College is a member of the trailblazer group.

Almost 11000 signatures and rising has been achieved in a petition against a discussed apprenticeship scheme to create more optometrists

The petition aims to reach 15000 in number as many of the profession show their distaste at the mooted possibility of apprenticeship courses for optometrists in the UK.

The Late Michael Potter has his passion he demonstrated for Optics commemorated at ABDO College

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) commemorated former Head of Marketing Michael Potter in a short ceremony to unveil a new set of display cases at ABDO College in Godmersham last week.

ABDO Graduation day at Canterbury Cathedral

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) celebrated the graduation of 318 dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians last week at Canterbury Cathedral.

Full speed ahead for next year’s exciting and upgraded Optrafair 20/20 April 4th 2020

Led by FMO chair-elect, Stuart Burn, the event provided the perfect environment for companies old and new to Optrafair to discover what had been happening behind the scenes in preparation for 2020’s transformative event.

First look at the forthcoming educational line up for next year's big Optrafair 20/20 in April 2020

How AI is transforming the optical industry: Pearse Keane provides an update at Optrafair 20/20 ‘AI and its likely impact on optometry and ophthalmology

Just 10 days to make the most of Early Bird rates for the IOA Summit in Thailand in 2020

Would you like to spend a week in Thailand, taking part in education and informative debate about the world of optics. Now is your chance to join members of the International Opticians Association (IOA) for their biannual event.

New team of local leads to cover Wales for ABDO

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has a new team of local leads to cover Wales, allowing for representation of dispensing opticians (DOs) across all the regional optical committees (ROC).

AVA technology from Essilor offers ultimate high vision precision

Essilor Ltd has announced the launch of AVA (Advanced Vision Accuracy), an integrated solution made possible by the introduction of the Vision-R800 phoropter by Essilor instruments.

Ocuco’s eGOS Integration: Submit forms 1,3 and 5

The PCSE system allowing GOS claims to be submitted electronically through PMS is now operational.

News from The General Optical Council publshed on 13 November 2019

Education, Strategic Plan, Teeside University and more

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