CooperVision welcomes students for manufacturing facility visit

CooperVision has welcomed optometry students from the University of Manchester on a tour of its manufacturing facility for the first time since COVID-19.

The contact lens manufacturer offered regular manufacturing tours to students on the university’s MSci Optometry course until the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

On the recent tour, 16 students from the optometry course visited CooperVision’s main UK manufacturing facility in Hamble on 23 March.

Professor Philip Morgan, head of optometry and director of Eurolens Research at the University of Manchester, led the group of guests, and commented: “I feel that our students really benefit from seeing the manufacturing process for contact lenses.

“The chance to see the impressive, automated processes of modern contact lens manufacture has great educational benefit and helps inform students about issues related to lens fitting and ongoing patient management. I am grateful that CooperVision has once again hosted our group from Manchester,” he added.

The tour began with a lunch where students could meet CooperVision representatives, followed by behind-the-scenes access to the manufacturing process for the Biofinity contact lenses.

Students learnt how quality assurance is embedded in manufacturing medical devices, as well as how the process is being made more sustainable.

Abdullah Alomran, a PhD student at the University of Manchester, commented on the experience: “I was impressed with the automation of the CooperVision manufacturing process, and our visit has helped me gain a better understanding of contact lenses more generally.”

Professional affairs consultant, Neil Harvey, hosted the CooperVision tour. He said: “It is an absolute pleasure to welcome the students and staff of the University of Manchester back to the CooperVision manufacturing facility here in the UK.”

“Allowing the eye care professionals of the future to see this process will help with a better understanding of the lenses when they see them on their patients’ eyes in practice,” he added.

CooperVision provides support to optometry students through educational workshops and clinical fitting sessions.

The OptiStudent app also offers a library of educational content for students, along with information about the annual OptiStudent Awards.