OT on the go

Our movements over the past 60 days

We take a look at the movements of the OT team across June and July

1 min read

Blackfin

11 August 2024

From Edinburgh to London and across to Geneva, over the past two months the OT team has been out and about attending a number of events. We have also met with optometrists via Teams to capture education and discuss our latest edition theme, Public perception. Here is a snapshot of what we have been up to in the past 60 days.

1

To Italy for eyewear

Factory tour

Our senior reporter, Kimberley Young, travelled to the Dolomite Mountains in Italy to visit eyewear brand Blackfin’s headquarters and took a tour of its Black Shelter Sustainable Factory. Read more about the trip.

2

Training for the whole practice team

Practice team training

Our clinical multimedia editor, Ceri Smith-Jaynes, and video production editor, Laurence Derbyshire, met via Zoom with Yasmin Whayeb to discuss how to communicate about myopia management for one of our latest Practice team training modules. Take a Practice team training modules.

3

Out-of-hours eye care

Focus group

Deputy editor Lucy Miller attended a Specsavers lived experience focus group in Bristol that explored the barriers to eye care for those experiencing homelessness as the multiple rolls out out-of-hours eye care in 44 of its practices. Read more.

4

Surviving CPD

Survival pack

Next month OT will release a CPD Survivial Pack in partnership with CooperVision. Designed to support practitioners during the final hurdle of the current CPD cycle, OT recently filmed the pack’s bespoke CPD Video with CooperVision’s Nicky Latham. Coming soon in September.

A man in a pastel purple shirt and tortoiseshell glasses smiles at the camera. He is wearing headphones with a microphone attached

5

Changing public perceptions

Our cover story

Features editor, Selina Powell, and video production editor, Laurence Derbyshire, met with IP optometrist Dr Grant Robinson over Teams to explore how the growth of independent prescribing and extended care schemes in the community has contributed the public’s changing attitudes about eye care. Watch our video, or read our cover feature.

6

A new range for Scope

Product launch

Kimberly Young and Laurence Derbyshire filmed at the launch of Optase Life Sensitive Eye Make-up Remover, and interviewed Dr Edel Duffy, head of medical at Scope Eyecare and Healthcare, about the science behind the brand’s new range. Watch our video.

Lucy Miller sitting down with Hannah Telfer, VCHP chief executive

7

First VCHP clinic opens in Scotland

Opening event

Lucy Miller sat down with Vision Care for Homeless People’s chief executive, Hannah Telfer, at the opening of the charity’s Edinburgh clinic in partnership with Specsavers – its first in Scotland. Read more.

8

APPG and eye care innovations

Parliament event

Selina Powell reports on the latest All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) meeting which explored developments in artificial intelligence, technology, and IT connectivity between High Street optometry and secondary care. Read more.

A man in a dark suit and mauve tie speaks into a microphone while leaning on a chair. Behind him is a large screen displaying the words ‘preservative hypersensitivity’ and a series of pictures of everted eyelids

Positive Impact

9

Solutions and education

Product launch

Selina Powell attended a CPD-accredited presentation by Professor Lyndon Jones, which explored the important role of solutions in contact lens safety and comfort that was delivered at the launch of the Cleadew range by UK distributor, Positive Impact. Read more.