Opchat News:

A look at the Covid 19 hiatus that the Optical Sector is currently bearing by the PHN Editor.

There is a network of underground shoots below the surface waiting to sprout, now is the time to prepare and plan for better days and support our sector

IACLE salutes the achievements of its 2020 Award winners

Contact lens educators from six countries – India, Malaysia, South Africa, the US, UK and Venezuela – are celebrating their success in the 2020 IACLE Awards. 

Protective Eyewear available the next day!

Norville is providing a next day delivery service – in many cases – for Rx protective eyewear.

Industry responds to call to arms to build British diagnostics industry at scale

Pharmaceutical giants and diagnostic companies join forces on plans to roll out millions of coronavirus (COVID-19) tests.

NHS works with tech firms to help care home residents and patients connect with loved ones

Thousands of isolated residents and patients will be able to connect with their family and friends with video call devices, the government has announced.

GOC erases Cardiff based optometrist

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

New series of ABDO Management & Leadership Courses available during Lockdown

Optical professionals who want to boost their career in management are encouraged to apply now for the new Management & Leadership Diploma and Management Essentials Certificate from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

AAOpt and ASCO Establish Virtual Clinical Training Program to Keep Optometry Students on Graduation Track

With COVID-19 leaving students unable to see patients in person, the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) is establishing an unprecedented virtual clinical training program to help the nation’s 1,800 4th year prospective Doctors of Optometry accumulate the 350 clinical observation hours they need to graduate.

Optical Workers’ Benevolent fund to support technicians

Lab technicians working in manufacturing optics may be eligible for a grant from The Optical Workers’ Benevolent Fund during these difficult times.

COVID19 Eye Care Guide launched by Eye Health UK.

The charity Eye Health UK has published an essential guide to caring for your eyes during the coronavirus pandemic on its website

Free 1 point CET Webinar available on April 16th at 2pm

You are warmly invited to a free CET webinar which will bring the low vision patient voice into focus by Visualise Training and Consultancy.

Results of Annual GOS negotiations from OFNC.

The Optical sector has rejected for a fifth year of freeze in GOS fees The Government has announced that there will be no increase in GOS fees in England for a fifth successive year.

LOCSU announce 4-month pause in levy payments

While the measures to combat COVID-19 are in place, including the ceasing of routine eye examinations, very minimal income relating to sight examination will be generated by optical practices.

Updated guidance on PPE from College following Official Guidance

The College of Optometrists has updated its PPE guidance in response to this official guidance.

The Association of Optometrists warn gaps in aid for self-employed will have a devastating impact on eye health practitioners

The AOP has warned that gaps in the financial support the Government has offered to self-employed workers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic are having a devastating impact on eye health practitioners.

Could hydroxychloroquin possibly be an early answer in treatment and prevention in Covid 19 patients?

A new article in Cataract and Refractive Surgery Today (CRST) provides an in-depth examination of the use of hydroxychloroquine for both prophylaxis and therapeutic treatment of COVID-19.

MIDO 2020 Reset for February 2021

As you are aware, over the last few weeks, the COVID-19 public health crisis in Italy and around the world has continuously worsened. After the USA, Italy has been hardest hit and will soon be forced to come to grips with the colossal social and economic damage incurred.

Haag-Streit offers training videos during our hours of Isolation

Haag-Streit is proud to introduce this training video series which explains the slit lamp, its controls and operating elements, the functional principles and much more

OFNC evaluates and sets out the requirements and its understanding of NHS Englands Optical Letter

As set out in our statement of 1 April, this document addresses the main questions raised by our members so far about the NHS England optical letter of 1 April 2020. It is based on our understanding of the information NHS England has shared to date. 

£300 million announced for community pharmacies to support them during coronavirus outbreak

£300 million in funding will ensure community pharmacies can continue to carry out essential services during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

OFNC Statement: COVID-19 – NHS guidance for optical practices in England: A response to letter below

The Letter in the story below from NHS England includes details of support payments for practices which continue to provide essential care for patients during the COVID-19 crisis. These practices will be expected to follow guidance from the General Optical Council and the optical sector bodies on how to provide this care safely. The support payments will be based on average past General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) payments between March 2019 and February 2020.

Complete letter from Matt Neligan Director of Primary Care and System Transformation and Poonam Sharma Optometry Advisor NHS England

In light of the most recent public health control measures and in recognition of the difficulties that practices are facing including continuing concerns about staff safety, we are making a number of immediate changes to the delivery and operation of our optometry services.

"Contact lenses can be at the forefront of a new era in eye health’ - BCLA chief excited for the future

The new chief executive of the British Contact Lens Association will focus on the organisation’s “exemplary commitment to high standards and guidelines for practice” as part of a drive to ensure the brand is synonymous with career and professional development.

MEI srl donates 500 thousand euros for the Coronavirus emergency

To face the Coronavirus emergency MEI, the global leader in the production of lens edging machines, wanted to manifest its solidarity by contributing to the fundraising initiatives launched in the area of its Italian headquarters. Bergamo, Italy is one of the cities most affected by the Covid-19 outbreak in the world.

Norville to provide emergency replacement specs

Emergency specs are available from Norville, which is at the forefront of responding to the demands of COVID 19 by continuing to support High Street opticians, and hospital eye clinics around the UK.

AOP fee reduction for members amidst coronavirus crisis

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) Board announce a 20% reduction in membership fees for UK practising members, which is the equivalent of two monthly direct debit payments.

First new ventilators to roll off production line this weekend as industry answers call to step up manufacturing

The first devices from the Government’s ventilator challenge will roll off the production line this weekend, ahead of delivery to the NHS next week, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Michael Gove has announced today.

PHN creates permanent page to list 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.

Lens Companies still providing services during pandemic.

FMO provides a list of surfacing and glazing companies available to perform emergency glazing during the Covid Pandemic

Cantor & Nissel remain open to assist Practices in emergency work.

Cantor & Nissel remains open, albeit with reduced staff, to offer a service for those needing our extensive range of contact lenses, almost all Medical Devices.

Government launches new drive on coronavirus tests for frontline NHS staff

NHS staff will be first in line for a new coronavirus (COVID-19) testing programme being developed in collaboration with government and industry.

Insight Optical Training is relaunching their website as enrolment for the new level 2 qualifications

Insight Optical Training is delighted to announce that people can now enrol of its Level 2 optical assistant qualification, endorsed by the awarding body NCFE.

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