Sold-out success for Huddersfield optical conference

The University of Huddersfield Annual Optical Conference, held in partnership with University Valli Opticians, attracted more than 100 delegates for a day of CPD

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People are seated at circle tables watching a presentation

University Valli Opticians

Kimberley Young

15 September 2026

The University of Huddersfield Annual Optical Conference drew together more than 100 optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians for a full day of continuing professional education (CPD).

The fourth year of the conference was hosted on 6 September at the University of Huddersfield, in partnership with University Valli Opticians.

Through the event, delegates could earn up to 12 CPD points across three education tracks with a mixture of clinical, practice and professional topics.

New for 2026 was a hands-on practical track which covered Goldmann applanation tonometry and optic disc assessment using a bio-headset.

The session was designed and delivered by Rachel Dixon, senior practitioner in optometry, and the teaching team from the University of Huddersfield. The practical ran twice with small groups of 24 in the university’s optometry clinic and skills suite.

A further eight CPD sessions ran across two lecture tracks with topics covering clinical decision making, independent prescribing and ophthalmology referral, contact lens and dispensing practice, imaging and patient communication.

Moin Valli, CEO of Valli Optometry and Audiology, commented: “Delegates want CPD that changes what they do on Monday morning. The practical workshop was the clearest example of that, taught in small groups by the university’s own clinical team in a working clinic. That is something a commercial CPD day cannot easily offer, and it is the reason the partnership with the university works.”

The event was supported by six sponsors: Optegra, Hoya Lens UK, Topcon, Bausch + Lomb, EyeDoctor, and FODO.

A dedicated Exhibitor Session was introduced for 2026, providing exhibitors 45 minutes of time with the full delegate audience.

The conference will return on 12 September 2027 with programme details and ticket information to be released in the new year.

The conference sold out for 2026, with Valli sharing: “The question for 2027 is how much further we can take the event without losing the quality that made it work.”