Optometry Today (OT) homepage | Optometry news from across the sector

OT focuses on…Going virtual

From key questions on COVID-19 to marketing training, suppliers created numerous virtual learning opportunities for eye care professionals during the lockdown

Equipment and suppliers | by Kimberley Young

School provides visors to every optometry practice in Wales

Croesyceiliog School in Cwmbran has been producing 300 plastic face visors each week

Boots proposes practice closures in the wake of COVID-19

Up to 48 Boots Opticians stores could close as the company launches a consultation for a transformation plan in response to the impact of coronavirus

High Street | by Kimberley Young

Coronavirus: on the ground in Marylebone

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Susan Sarangapani on starting a new job the week before lockdown and spotting eyelid cancer by video consultation

Practitioner stories | by Susan Sarangapani

Coronavirus: on the ground in Gateshead

Low vision optometrist Stephanie Cairns on supporting those with sight loss during the pandemic

Practitioner stories | by Stephanie Cairns

Science & vision

Corneal dystrophy: scientists discover molecular changes occur decades before symptoms

Research from the US could lead to the development of new screening procedures for the disease

UK researchers use mini retinas to test gene therapy for RP

Scientists report promising results from a study that aims to develop a new approach to treating the most common inherited eye condition

Synthetic eyeball helps to test virtual reality applications

Researchers have developed an optically clear, standardised eyeball that ensures consistency when testing virtual and augmented reality systems

Technology | by Selina Powell

Study suggests exercise can help to ward off macular degeneration

Experiments in mice found that exercise reduced the harmful growth of blood vessels in the eye by 45%

A ‘filling’ for the eye: UK scientists use synthetic gel to repair holes in the cornea

Researchers from Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology are developing an alternative to corneal transplantation

Industry

David Clulow is donating £10 for each frame sale to the NHS

The ‘Eye for Care’ campaign aims to show gratitude to frontline workers

Eyewear and lenses | by Kimberley Young

Menicon launch virtual toric calculator

Designed to help eye care professionals select their initial lens choices for a fitting, the toric calculator launches in the UK this week

Contact lenses | by Kimberley Young

OT focuses on…Going virtual

From key questions on COVID-19 to marketing training, suppliers created numerous virtual learning opportunities for eye care professionals during the lockdown

Equipment and suppliers | by Kimberley Young

Boots proposes practice closures in the wake of COVID-19

Up to 48 Boots Opticians stores could close as the company launches a consultation for a transformation plan in response to the impact of coronavirus

High Street | by Kimberley Young

Professional support

Private eye care provider fined £1.2m for price-fixing

Seven consultant ophthalmologists at Spire Healthcare’s Regency Hospital in Macclesfield agreed to fix fees for initial private consultations

Clinical and regulatory | by Selina Powell

School provides visors to every optometry practice in Wales

Croesyceiliog School in Cwmbran has been producing 300 plastic face visors each week

Funding discussions continue with NHS England

No agreement has been reached around further financial support for practices after temporary funding measures ceased at the end of June

Reuniting the industry

Following the disruption and challenges brought by the COVID-19 outbreak, event organisers are preparing to safely bring the profession together

Optical organisations | by Kimberley Young

Optical services in Leicester restricted to urgent and essential care

Leicester optometrists will provide a more limited range of services than the rest of England after a local lockdown was enforced

In practice

“We’re prepared for new ways of working”

The outbreak of COVID-19 brought rapid changes to the ophthalmology and optometry teams at the Royal Free Hospital in London. Safina Rashid, head for orthoptist and optometry services, and highly specialised optometrist, Sheena Patel, share what they learned

Practitioner stories | by Kimberley Young

Coronavirus: on the ground in Marylebone

Consultant ophthalmic surgeon Susan Sarangapani on starting a new job the week before lockdown and spotting eyelid cancer by video consultation

Practitioner stories | by Susan Sarangapani

Coronavirus: on the ground in Gateshead

Low vision optometrist Stephanie Cairns on supporting those with sight loss during the pandemic

Practitioner stories | by Stephanie Cairns

Figures show a rise in the number of students planning to start university this autumn

As UCAS figures show a rise in the number of students holding firm offers this year and fewer applicants opting to defer, optometry courses are preparing to host their new intakes

Career development | by Kimberley Young

Optometry jobs

Featured job

Optometrist | DH Thomas Opticians

Location:

Cambridge

Closing:

30 July 2020

Specialist Optometrist - Trainee Contact Lens Practitioner | St Helens Hospital

Location:

St. Helens

Closing:

15 July 2020

Eye Health Clinic Manager | University of Central Lancashire

Location:

Preston, Lancashire

Closing:

16 July 2020

Lecturer in Optometry | University of Plymouth

Location:

Plymouth

Closing:

26 July 2020

CET