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The IRIS, the new centralised area within Optrafair 20/20 promises to be the font of all learning.

The dedicated area will be the place to attend over each lunch hour with the world's leading experts in Vision both demonstrating and discussing with you new concepts in vision care. It will also be the place to network with your friends and colleagues, chew over what hints and new ideas you have discovered both at the IRIS and throughout the action-packed show.

Presidents’ address and Optical Question Time at Optrafair 20/20

Optrafair 20/20 offers world class presentations and debate from industry experts covering the issues and concerns facing the optical industry, as well as providing suggested solutions.

ABDO launch new training courses at 100% Optical today, Saturday 25th January.

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) is launching a new series of training courses and qualifications in association with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) who also assess and award the qualification.

FUTURISSILMO! Dates to save in 2020

New year means new SILMO Paris edition which means a new visual identity. Discover now the colours of SILMO Paris 2020.

Make a visit to Grafton at 100% in order to benefit your patients.

Your patients deserve the gold standard in tonometry care – book to find out more about the Reichert ORA® G3 and the 7CR at 100% Optical on Grafton Optical stand M16. The time for change is now.

Applications for the John Horder Prizes are now invited by the RSM General Practice with Primary Healthcare Section and CAIPE.

The annual award was established in memory of Dr John Horder by the General Practice and Primary Healthcare Section of the Royal Society of Medicine and the Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education (CAIPE)

CMO for England statement on the Wuhan novel coronavirus

Statement from the Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, on Wuhan novel coronavirus.
Published 24 January 2020

Opchat News reader has sent us his thanks and some useful tips for those experiencing gradual sight loss

Elmer George from Elderville.org a resource for all Elders writes saying, "I want to thank you for making it easy for those of us with a visual impairment to find information that makes life a little easier. You’ve shared so much wonderful info on your site, and I especially like.........

College AGM date announced, have your say.

The College's AGM will take place on Monday 24 February during Optometry Tomorrow 2020. You can download the annual report and annual accounts

Plans are well underway for NHS testing and specs for Special Schools in 2020

As a result of SeeAbility’s campaigning, NHS England are planning for a new national programme of sight tests and glasses dispensing in England’s special schools from 2020.

Stepper steps up for VCHP 2020 clinic

STEPPER Eyewear is marking its 50th anniversary in 2020 with a generous donation to Vision Care for Homeless People.

The WCSM Education Trust grant

The 2019/20 Travel Award Scheme for ophthalmologists in training is now open for applications.

This year's Optrafair 20/20 guarantees Inspiring Seminars

This year the Optrafair 20/20 programme has been put together by a specialised and experienced advisory board to bring you the best education possible.

GOC withdrawers approval for Portsmouth Masters Degree

GOC issues withdrawal notice to University of Portsmouth Master of Optometry programme

The International Opticians Association (IOA) has opened applications for 2020.

The IOA Silmo International Optician of the Year Award recognises the importance of the optician in the optical business and their role in the choice of the optimum products for their clientele.

ISCC 2020 welcomes overseas interested scleral fitters

The International Cogress of Scelral Contacts congress starts July 24th to 25th 2020in Fort Lauderdale FL USA

Fight for Sight convenes leading ophthalmologists for urgent action on the '1 to 20' funding gap

Fight for Sight has convened the UK’s leading ophthalmologists and researchers to draw attention to the ‘1 to 20' funding gap in eye research.

Two services face axe from embattled PCNs contract

The Health Service Journal reports that following criticism by GPs and others, the Primary Care Networks (PCNs) contract specifications are overly prescriptive and not properly resourced.

STP’s. Now seven CCGs to become three in Sussex

NHS England has approved the merger of seven clinical commissioning groups in Sussex, that are currently in a sustainability and transformation partnership (STP), into three. 

Webinar will discuss putting the skill back into soft lens fitting

The latest BCLA webinar will discuss the topic of soft lenses, examining drop-out rates and putting forward suggestions for how eye care practitioners can ‘get control’ over their fitting.

Tickets now available for the NCC event in March!

Following on from the success at the NCC events in 2016 & 2018, the NCC continues its scientific collaboration with the BCLA. Dr. Carolina Kunnen from the NCC together with Professor James Wolffsohn of Aston University and the BCLA’s academic team hosted the NCC/BCLA abstract submissions program.

MONDOTTICA INTERNATIONAL announces management changes

Mondottica International announces that its Founder and CEO Michael Jardine has stepped down from his CEO role effective January 1st 2020.

PSA reports on GOC improving triage process

The Professional Standards Authority (PSA) has produced a short report showing how its work contributes to protecting the public, and provides a narrative informed by the various statistics produced as part of the Authority’s processes.

Scotland 2020 GOS Mandatory Training for Optometrists/OMPs

As part of The National Health Service (General Ophthalmic Services) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2018, there is an annual requirement for all Optometrists and OMPs working under GOS in Scotland

Domiciliary Providers asked to provide answers to anomymous questionaire

Domiciliary Eye Care Committee safety questionnaire

Spectacle Makers Society announces a fun evening at the Barbican

The Society invites you to join members of the Society at the Thistle City Barbican, Shoreditch,120 Central Street, Clerkenwell, London EC1V 8DS for a lecture by Professor Joanna Bourke, Gresham Professor of Rhetoric, exploring the politics of scientific theories about eyes.

Optometrist Apprenticeships- A variance of opinion

If you were one of a large group who voted with your finger on the keyboard in response to the Apprenticeship of Optoms you might want to read and reflect on the submissions of the bodies you financially support.

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