Optometry Today

Easy access to ancient woodlands, being embedded as part of a close-knit local community, and the potential of higher day rates are just some of the factors that might lead locum optometrists to seek out clinic hours in the countryside. Here, OT speaks to three locum optometrists about positives, challenges, and what others might need to know if they’re looking to book shifts out of town.

Some patient complaints cannot be resolved at a local level and escalate to an investigatory body or become a civil claim for clinical negligence. In part three of this series on dealing with patient complaints, optometrist and AOP clinical adviser, Kevin Wallace, outlines the steps to take if a practitioners become the subject of a General Optical Council (GOC) investigation or medical malpractice claim.

Registration for the Macular Society’s annual conference has opened. The free Hope for the Future conference will take place online on Saturday 12 September, from 9am to 4pm. The conference will bring experts together to discuss the latest developments in macular disease research, including how cell replacement therapy has the potential to help treat age-related macular degeneration.

The AOP has launched four new roles on its Council to represent student and newly qualified optometrists throughout their journey into the profession. With changes to optometry education and training, the AOP noted that terminology of some of the previous roles on Council did not accurately reflect the experience of those studying and entering the profession.

Optometrists play an increasingly important role in supporting cataract patients, particularly those with comorbidities, more complex needs or higher expectations around visual outcomes. At Moorfields Private Eye Hospital, every cataract procedure is tailored to the individual. In this feature, Moorfields Private consultants explore some of the challenges cataract patients can face and how they provide personalised care to every patient to achieve the best possible outcome.

Whilst on a family holiday in Tenerife, Victoria Walsh noticed something that gave her pause. In the holiday snaps of her son, then not yet two years old, she could see a glow in one of his eyes. With her concern building, Walsh contacted family friend, Jo Baren – dispensing optician and owner of Jo Baren Eyewear. Baren discussed the concerns with practice optometrist, Dave Cross, who agreed that George needed to be seen urgently.

Optometrists and dispensing opticians who provide a low vision service within primary care optometry in England are invited to complete a short online survey.

A small brand focused on sustainable eyewear is hoping to make waves in independent practices in the UK. Father-and-son business, Reefyll, was built around the question of how plastic waste could be reduced around the home. Antony Haase, managing director of Reefyll, explained that this motivation to “make a difference” and offer sustainable products has always been at the heart of the business.

The College of Optometrists has updated its glaucoma higher qualifications to reflect changes in clinical practice and technology. This follows a review process in consultation with representatives from current course providers, subject matter experts, employers, qualification holders and other stakeholders to evaluate the curriculum and ensure the qualifications remain fit for purpose in and meet the needs of current clinical practice.

Newly-qualified optometrist, Eliza Jane McCall, has spoken to OT about her recent experience of the Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE), sharing her advice and tips. McCall sat and passed the OCSEs in July as the final step in her Scheme for Registration journey to qualification after sharing her pre-registration journey through OT. Discussing her experience of the final practical exam, McCall described: “You’ve got five minute stations, and you have to walk in, complete a task.