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New PCA and road map for Scotland as Lockdown set to ease

The Scottish government has published a new PCA, which includes an update on continued financial support for community optometry. PCA's and Roadmaps

A better way to test eyesight than 60 minutes of trial driving exists! Plus PM at 55, discovers presbyopia!

ABDO President Jo Holmes FBDO says, "During this pandemic, essential/urgent/emergency eye care is still being provided throughout the UK and if you feel that your eyesight is compromised, due to any sudden visual changes or illness, stay safe and book an appointment

LOOK – made in Italia, look not for " price but values"

In a video message from LOOK's CEO Vittore Tormen, discusses globilisation

University of Kent’s Applied Optics Group launches Marie Curie Doctoral School

The University of Kent’s Applied Optics Group is co-ordinating the launch of a doctoral school to deliver research and training in the design and build of the next generation of tunable lasers for optical coherence tomography (OCT).

IACLE reports an exceptional year as membership grows

More contact lens educators worldwide are enjoying the valuable benefits of belonging to the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE).

Avizor’s £9,000 eye drop donation will help ‘the heroes of the NHS’

Frontline staff at a number of hospital trusts around the UK have benefitted from the donation of hundreds of bottles of eye drops from Avizor.

Operational and fully mobilised Oko by Oko supports its partner opticians.

The situation we have just gone through is unprecedented, and government decisions have more than upset the daily lives and professional activities of our optician clients.(OKO)

Blackfin CEO talks about Re-Starting in available video

“In this particular moment, that has no precedent in our recent history, we had time to think about ourselves again, to strengthen the foundations of that awareness that allowed us, more than ten years ago, to give shape to the Blackfin dream.

GOC suspends Hampshire based optometrist

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

3706073 daily contributors' data is helping beat COVID-19, are you taking part?

The Covid Symptom Study has been developed by Health Science Company ZOE. Endorsed by the Welsh Government, NHS Wales, Scottish Government and NHS Scotland; it shares its data with King's College London. Learn how to register free.

Vaccines and tests, a snapshot of news from the USA.

Early Data Show Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine Generates Immune Responses and Roche announced its Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody test 

BCLA produces "Contact Lens Wear and Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance" for practitioners and wearers,

In response COVID-19, public health organisations and government health officials are putting in place plans to ensure that people receive the right advice, care and support and that you have the best information, environment and equipment to do your job.  Read new advice on restarting services.

Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will launch online on 26 May.

The scheme will enable employers with fewer than 250 employees to claim coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). Tax agents will also be able to make claims on behalf of employers.

Registered with GOC or have worked as clinician then: Join the Virtual Frontline as a Clinical Contact Caseworker

Why not use your clinical skills and expertise in order to help support the NHS – and all from your own home. By working as a Clinical Contact Caseworker, you will be responsible for liaising over the phone with Covid-19 patients

New video game for the Visually Impaired

A final-year student at the University of Abertay in Dundee has developed a video game that people who are blind and partially sighted can play.

Everyone in the United Kingdom with symptoms now eligible for coronavirus tests including all four Countries

Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough; high temperature; and now also a loss of or change in your normal sense of smell or taste can book a test by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

First COVID-19 Vaccine Tested In the US Shows Promise in Data From Eight People

Moderna Inc’s (MRNA.O) experimental COVID-19 vaccine, the first to be tested in the United States, produced protective antibodies in a small group of healthy volunteers, according to very early data released by the biotech company this week.

Ireland gets started for all services today.May 18th.

Optometrists to re-open (Monday 18th) and encourage people with eye-care needs to attend in Ireland

Nystagmus Network CET Webinars announced.

The Nystagmus Network is delighted to host a series of webinars all about nystagmus for eyecare professionals. Each Webinar will provide 1 CET point.

‘No evidence’ to suggest any contact lens concerns during COVID-19 outbreak

The chief executive of the British Contact Lens Association has reiterated that contact lenses are safe to wear during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AbbVie Completes Acquisition of Allergan

AbbVie announced that it has completed its acquisition of Allergan after receiving regulatory approval from all government authorities required by the transaction agreement and approval by the Irish High Court.

News from The General Council 13 May 2020

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its first remote Council meeting which considered the Education Strategic Review (ESR), fitness to practise (FTP) performance, new guidance on holding remote hearings, and its response to COVID-19.

Specsavers lockdown learning proves popular with practitioners

Optical practitioners from multiples and independents alike have been busy earning CET points during lockdown, according to Specsavers, one of the UK’s largest CET providers.

Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland emphasises the Safeguarding of Sight.

From parents who've had their eyes poked by over-excited little ones, to DIY enthusiasts who’ve injured their eyes doing projects around the home, Scotland's opticians are dealing with a rise in lockdown incidents by phone and video, while providing emergency and essential eyecare.

Give eyes essential care advise optometrists as lockdown takes its toll

Why making time for eyecare has never been more important

Routine sight testing in the UK – statement from the OFNC, Optometry Northern Ireland, Optometry Scotland and Optometry Wales

 Routine sight testing currently remains suspended across the UK.

Ocuco Extends Online Learning Programme

Ocuco's online learning schedule 'LOCKDOWN YOUR LEARNINGS', has been designed to help practices navigate the evolving Coronavirus situation. Due to popular demand

The UK Government’s COVID-19 recovery strategy published and updated 12 May 2020

The 60 page document describes the current situation at the end of Phase 1 and the adjustments required at the beginning of Phase2.

Government expands expert team to rapidly roll out coronavirus test and trace programme

FODO responds to the Health and Social Care Select Committee

FODO responds to the Health and Social Care Select Committee’s inquiry into ‘Delivering core NHS and care services during the pandemic and beyond’.

LOCSU announces "Maculopathy Referral Filtering and Monitoring Pathway"

The Maculopathy Referral Filtering and Monitoring Pathway is an end-to-end service pathway which aims to improve the efficiency and accuracy of case-finding for AMD, for both new and review patients, to improve the speed at which people are diagnosed and treated within the hospital eye service (HES), to help prevent loss of sight.

IPRO for audiologists boosts practice efficiency

Private hearing aid sales growth of around 7%* per annum, and significant advances over NHS options, are ensuring that audiology is on a very healthy trajectory for businesses looking to diversify alongside optometry.

Otley woman’s life saved following visit to local opticians

A law student underwent potentially life and sight-saving surgery after an optometrist at Specsavers Otley detected signs of a serious condition.

FDA Approves Quidel’s Sofia 2, First Antigen Test to Help in the Rapid Detection of COVID-19

Quidel, which makes diagnostic tests for a variety of conditions including acute conjunctivitis and dry eye disease, announced that it has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the FDA to market its Sofia 2 SARS Antigen FIA, a rapid point-of-care test for the detection of COVID-19.

PHN permanent page listing all Optical Companies providing emergency supplies and services to practices during pandemic.

During the Pandemic you will be able to find a list of all suppliers and their contact details who at the time of publishing are available to provide goods, services or verbal help to practices requiring help during emergency provision.

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