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Non-medical contact lens fitting can now take place during the amber phase of the pandemic.

Following on from consultation on our COVID-19 guidance, the College has updated it's advice on non-medical contact lens fitting.

B & L to segment eye business

Bausch Health Companies announced Thursday that it intends to spin off its eye health business from its core pharmaceutical business into an independent publicly traded entity called Bausch + Lomb – NewCo.

English practitioners are reminded that the CET claim window now open

The claims window for the CET grant for 2019 is now open.

At last, PPE Portal for England opens to GOS contractors

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) will be extending access to its PPE portal to GOS contractors throughout the week commencing Monday 17 August.

GOC toughens up on corporate bodies registration, using the rules that have always been in force

The GOC will be writing shortly to a small number of corporate body registrants to ensure that GOC registrants make up a simple majority of directors on the board (i.e. at least one more registrant than any other type of director).

COVID 19: Optometry Amber Phase Welsh Statement on Further Changes

The Welsh Government wrote to all optometry practices in July to provide additional guidance as we progress through the current Amber Phase.

Brian D Suttie Optician Case Study using Toucan Eco for Covid Cleansing

A fresh perspective: how one optician has introduced a sustainable cleaning system to help combat COVID-19

ABDO's considered views on the GOC ESR Consultation

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is concerned that proposals in the latest consultation from by the General Optical Council (GOC) as part of its Education Strategic Review (ESR) create a significant risk of inconsistent standards of education and lower standards of education.

The GLBL EYEWEAR Group sign leading specialist eyewear brand ZooBug

The GLBL EYEWEAR Group are proud to announce a long-term global licensing agreement with the world leading specialist children’s eyewear brand ZooBug

Successful ABDO Webinars

The ABDO Examinations Department has hosted a successful two day webinar on 29 and 30 July, free of charge to all final year students to help them prepare for summer session practical examinations.

IACLE introduces Online Student Trial Exam to support educators following the COVID-19 pandemic

The International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE) has launched an Online Student Trial Exam (STE) to support educators whose students are currently unable to attend their institutions in person or who want to assess students’ knowledge online.

LOOK-made in Italia Launches “OPERATION VISION CHECKUP”

The published video addresses Digital Visual Stress Disorder among Children and youngsters

New back to school lens promotion from Essilor

Essilor Ltd has enhanced its “Take Two” multipair promotion for ECPs to offer to families of children heading back to school.

New ECP Sports Day Promotion from Essilor

Essilor Ltd has launched a new sports day board game incentive for ECPs to play and claim rewards this summer.

LV Honours Course updated by ABDO

The Low Vision Honours course at ABDO College has been updated for 2020, with an earlier start date. Optometrists and opticians wanting to develop their expertise in this field are encouraged to apply now.

Roll-out of 2 new rapid coronavirus tests ahead of winter

Both tests will be able to detect COVID-19 and other winter viruses in just 90 minutes

Join Ocuco's next Clinical Lecture on Paediatric Optometry with Tania Constable

Ocuco hosts a Clinical Lecture on Paediatric Optometry presented by Tania Constable, a Paediatric Specialist Optometrist at Temple Street Children's University Hospital, Dublin, on Tuesday 25 August, at 18:00 GMT. Learn more and register here

Whilst NHS England procrastinate on Covid funding for England, LOCSU announces levy resumption today.

LOC levy payments to resume from August 1st.

GOC erases Scarborough based dispensing optician

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

OFNC July 31 UPDATE: COVID-19 Funding for Optical Practices in England

The OFNC is only too aware of the front-line pressures on the sector and we continue to express this urgency in negotiations with NHS England about COVID-19 funding for optical practices, following the end of the first phase funding on 30 June.

Isolation times just extended and more travel restrictions are imminent

As Government extends isolation times for the infected from 7 to 10 days and a crack down on further travel looks likely, we look at the figures.

Could you and your friends be up for a marathon to help RNIB?

Ever thought about doing a marathon to raise funds for a charity but been daunted by the distance? Now sight loss charity RNIB is inviting you to double up with a partner or friend and split the distance.

“It was a question of weeks or days, not months”

Holly Creighton, an eight-year-old girl from Leigh was unknowingly at risk from a potentially fatal brain tumour, after a trip to her local Specsavers revealed she was suffering from severe raised pressure in the brain.

GOC launches ESR consultation on updated education and training requirements

The General Optical Council (GOC) has today launched its Education Strategic Review (ESR) consultation on proposals to update its requirements for GOC approved qualifications leading to registration as a dispensing optician or an optometrist.

ABDO College has extended the deadline for applications to the Ophthalmic Dispensing and Contact Lens courses.

ABDO College is offering payment plans and advice on self-funding for those who are keen to take the course but don’t have support from an employer. Employers are also able to apply for a payment plan to make cash flow easier.

NHS encourages online registration and advises on change in GOS forms by October 1

The NHS has confirmed that current GOS forms will cease on 30 September 2020, with practices encouraged to submit claims online and those that cannot do so to complete new style paper forms from 1 October, designed to be scanned in on receipt by PCSE. .

‘The community speaks’ - first BCLA podcast goes live

The first-ever podcast produced by the BCLA is now live – giving listeners the chance to hear from experts about the impact of COVID-19 on the contact lens profession.

With under 24 hours notice Government excludes the mandatory use of masks in Optical Practices.

Difficult to provide any logical reason for this anomaly but these were the new rules released today.

October SILMO exhibition becomes another fatality in the expo season

The SILMO Executive Board met with its partner COMEXPOSIUM, and took the unfortunate decision to cancel the Silmo 2020 Paris event as it was planned to take place at Paris Nord Villepinte.

New novel features Vision Care for Homeless

Staring into the eyes of strangers is the leading thread in popular Australian/British author, Paige Toon’s latest book “The Minute I Saw You”.

WALDO announces diversification into further unspecified online eyecare following on from its online CL business.

Following an immensely successful three years since inception, more than £9 million in funds-raised and effective expansion into 27 countries, direct to consumer eye care brand, Waldo is diversifying its offering

News from The General Optical Council

The General Optical Council (GOC) held its second remote Council meeting on Wednesday 15 July which considered a review of the strategic plan, the Education Strategic Review (ESR), temporary changes to optometry education and training requirements, the GOC annual report and the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) Annual Report 2019-2020.

OFNC UPDATE: COVID-19 Funding for Optical Practices in England

The OFNC is still working with NHS England on potential further COVID-19 funding for optical practices, following the end of the first phase of funding on 30 June.

New BCLA President set to make a ‘lasting first impression’ with online audience at virtual address

The next President of the BCLA, Indie Grewal, will give his Presidential Address on Thursday, 10 September – with the event to be held ‘virtually’for the first time.

Non-UK optometrists and opticians eligible for Health and Care Visa

This week the Government launched a new Health and Care Visa so that UK health and care services can recruit qualified healthcare professionals from aboard.

CET claims – England, The How and The When.

PCSE has announced that this year the claims window for CET claims will be delayed because of Covid-19. This year, claims will all be managed online, and professionals are advised to:

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