Optoversity returns

Registration has opened for students to take part in next year’s Optoversity Challenge.

Organised by Out of the box optics, the annual cross-university competition will raise funds for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP).

Optometry schools across the UK are invited to enter a team per year, providing them with the opportunity to meet their student peers, as well as optical professionals from a range of companies, and gain an insight into the career paths that await them across optometry, both in paid employment and volunteering.

Over the past eight years, the fundraising and sponsorship of Optoversity Challenge has raised £42,000 for VCHP. This has helped the charity support its regional clinics to provide eye care and spectacles to homeless people.

VCHP fundraiser, Alison Gordon, said: “This is a fun event and draws on what students in the various year groups have already been learning.”

Optoversity Challenge 2025 will take place online on 16 February for first and second-year students, while in-person challenges will follow in Manchester and Bristol for third- and fourth-year students on 22 February.

Manchester’s event will be hosted by Optegra Eye Hospital, while the Bristol challenge will be hosted by Optical Express.

A spokesperson for Optegra said: “By hosting this event, we’re proud to contribute to a cause that brings positive change. We are also proud to be able to showcase our wonderful hospital and facilities to pre-reg optometrists and partners in the community.”

Support through sponsorship and prizes for Optoversity Challenge is provided by a range of industry companies, including the AOP, Ambri Eyewear, Bondeye Student Optical, the College of Optometrists, Heine, Keeler, Menicon, Mondottica, Norville, Optelec, SpaMedica, Specsavers, Thea, Tokai, Topcon, Wolf Eyewear, and 101 Optometry.

Gordon added: “The success of Optoversity Challenge rests very much on the generous support given by numerous companies in the optical community, with prizes awarded to the highest performing students in each year group and the top fundraisers. Last year’s student fundraising was the highest ever – with students raising £7000.”

Students can register via the VCHP website.