Dispensing Optics

The General Optical Council (GOC) has reported improved patient satisfaction with its 2026 public perceptions research, but inequalities remain. This year’s findings show improved public confidence and satisfaction with eyecare services, with 94 per cent of respondents said they were confident they would receive a high standard of care from an opticians/optometrist practice, up from 93 per cent in 2025.

EssilorLuxottica is launching a new programme of live, interactive CPD sessions on its online learning platform, Leonardo, designed to help strengthen patient communication and enhance essential people skills. The first live session will take place on 9 July at 7pm, when optometrist, key opinion leader and accredited coach, Peter Greedy, will present: ‘What do they want? Patient communication mastery’.

Celebration with patients, staff and colleagues Mackie Opticians of Bothwell, Scotland, celebrated its 30th anniversary with patients and colleagues during a special event held on Saturday 20 June. This month, the practice will also achieve another milestone as it hands over to new owner, Neil Gray, and independent prescriber-qualified optometrist, as part of the Hakim Group. Dr Scott Mackie said: “Opening from scratch, we have built up a great following and won some awards along the way.

The General Optical Council (GOC) has approved a consultation on a draft updated statement on the testing of sight, and draft revisions to the supervision/delegation standard in the Standards of Practice for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians and the Standards for Optical Students.

EyecareFAQ will be focusing on dry eye through July to coincide with Dry Eye Month. This is great opportunity to educate your patients on this condition and how dispensing opticians can help them. We will also be covering thyroid eye disease and red eye. EyecareFAQ offers resources to help you to engage with your patients with mix of frequently asked questions, engaging graphics and simple jargon busters to ensure information is easy to understand and accessible to everyone.

It’s worth asking suppliers directly what their material story actually is In this month’s How to be a Great DO, Rebecca Thompson explores how to make sustainability in practice more than just a marketing slogan… The majority of patients don’t walk in asking for the sustainable option (yet). What patients respond to is confidence, and a recommendation that feels considered.

With the school holidays fast approaching, your ABDO membership offers a valuable way to make family time go further. Members can access hundreds of discounts on family days out, attractions and holiday extras – helping reduce the cost of keeping everyone entertained over the summer months. From discounted tickets for popular UK attractions and experiences to savings on travel add ons, the discounts are designed to support both everyday spending and unforgettable family moments.

Figure 1. Hormones play a central role in maintaining ocular surface health In Dry Eye Corner Part 7, Keith Tempany explores the role of hormones and gender in dry eye disease… As we all know, dry eye disease (DED) is a multifactorial condition that affects millions of people worldwide, with a striking and well-documented difference in prevalence between sexes*.

Daniel with Rachel after graduation Spring was an incredibly busy and positive period across the North West region, with plenty happening within dispensing optics education, professional development and workforce progression. One of the most rewarding parts of being an ABDO regional lead is seeing and supporting members as they invest in their careers and the profession – and recent months have certainly provided plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about the future.

A special day for the Class of 2026 This year’s ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony, which took place on 12 May at Canterbury Cathedral, was a magical experience for everyone involved. It was a special privilege to attend and be part of our graduands’ special day in such amazing surroundings, and particularly during this centenary year for the dispensing optics profession.