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Sight test fee frozen
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CONTENTS
http://twitter.com/OptometryToday
July 1 2011 vol 51:13
16 31 37
News
5 Sight test fee frozen
Confirmation that the £20.70 GOS fee will
remain in place until March 2012 at the earliest
– but other payments are up by 5%
6 Vision strategy applauded
Health minister Lord Howe tells the Vision UK
conference that the sector’s vision strategy is
just the sort of scheme the Government wants
7 Uplift-ing message
Birmingham-based business Uplift aims to
become a household name for eye surgery and
wants independents to join in its success
8 Comment
OT’s Editor-in-Chief David Challinor explains
why the first LOCSU professional roundtable
was so valuable
10 Deadline nears for students
Student optometrists and DOs need to renew
their GOC registration soon before the July 15
deadline
12 Letters
OT readers throw down a challenge over frames
fashion and also offer cash help on specific
legal action against PCTs
Cover story
37-40 CET: Vision standards
for driving
Sharifa Hirani looks at the evidence base
for this topical issue, discussing whether
current legal vision standards are sufficient,
how these could be improved and how
practitioners can advise their patients when
asked about whether their vision is good
enough for driving
Products
16-17 Industry News
New launches from BBGR, Bausch & Lomb,
No7 Contact Lenses, and Johnson & Johnson
Vision Care, plus an Olympic boost for Zoobug
and a prize promotion from Rodenstock
News Extras
21 Boots’ 500 practice milestone
The multiple’s rebranding of Dollond &
Aitchison continues apace
22 GP/Optom roundtable
An LOCSU and GP magazine debate points the
way forward
Events
30-31 Independents Day 2011
Preview of the expanded exhibition
at Monday’s event, which is aimed at
independent practitioners
Features/interviews
20 Q&A
Spotlight on a Newcastle independent
23 Bookshop boost
Historic retailing name joins forces with OT
Regulars
14 Spectator
Why the profession needs to have more
dialogue with GPs
25 Crossword
This month’s prize competition
26 Diary dates
All the latest optical events
27 Student news
AOP student conference booking opens plus
good news for Cardiff University
Clinical
28-29 VRICS: Ocular therapeutics
and disease Part 1
Our latest VRICS looks at the management of
common ocular diseases, with an emphasis on
the increased role of therapeutically-trained
practitioners
32-36 CET: Referral refinement
Part 7 Visual impairment support
Our series continues by describing how
optometrists and dispensing opticians can
ensure that their patients with low vision have
access to help and support from a variety of
disciplines, including rehabilitation workers,
counsellors, social workers, teachers of the
visually impaired and ophthalmologists, by
discussing the referral pathways available
Classified
42-46 Jobs
All the latest vacancies with opportunities in
Australia and New Zealand
47-50 Marketplace
Arrow Auctions has a public tender sale of
optometry equipment
Feature is online
Video is online
www.optometry.co.uk

new collection coMinG Soon
continental eyewear
0151 426 3907

NEWS
Rejected sight test fee
freeze is imposed
EFFORTS to improve the level of
the GOS sight test fee for eye care
professionals have been dashed
by the Government.
Michael Bateman (pictured),
the chairman of the negotiating
committee representing the
profession, said a freeze on the
£20.70 fee was imposed by the
minister – Lord Howe – on the
advice of his officials. This figure
will now stay in place until March
2012.
However, Mr Bateman and his
colleagues from the Optometric
Fees Review Committee were
pleased to announce that the
grant for supervising pre-
registration trainees have both
increased by 5%.
Announcing the news on the
GOS freeze first, Mr Bateman said:
“We made clear in the strongest
possible terms that the proposed
freeze was unacceptable to the
profession, especially at a time of
rising domestic inflation which
is pushing up practice running
costs and international inflation
which is increasing the cost of
spectacles and lenses.
“These are significant pressures
on the profession, and freezing
the sight test fee will have a real
impact on the optical frontline
and on the ability of the
Milestone reached
profession to deliver the sight
testing service.”
Mr Bateman said that over
several years the OFRC has
delivered significant efficiency
savings to the Government.
“Not least,” he said, “in the level
of diagnostic equipment now
common in optometric practices,
increased levels of regulation, and
the documented increase in time
taken to conduct a GOS sight test.
“We have made very clear
to departmental officials
and minsters that we will
not undervalue the services
optometrists and OMPs provide,
and there is absolutely no
flexibility in the £20.70 sight test
fee for any ‘good will’ work.
“We rejected the offer on
fees and it was imposed by the
minster on the advice of his
officials.”
The 5% increase in the CET
payment takes it to £491, and the
supervisors of pre-registration
optometrists grant rose to £3,166.
Optical negotiators expressed the
opinion that the CET payment
remained inadequate which did
not cover the cost of achieving
the necessary credits, and that
the supervisors grant was ‘still
way out of line’ with the levels
of grant for the other contractor
professions.
The increase on gross fees for
GPs and community dentists
was 0.25%. Taken together,
the increase in the two grants
for optometry amounts to a
0.1% increase on gross fees but
without a requirement to achieve
additional efficiency gains which
the Department has negotiated
with the other professions.
A meeting is being arranged
with the minister, and the
negotiators will soon start
discussions about the 2012 fees
negotiation round.
5
01/07/11 NEWS
Marokey Camara (pictured)
is the eight millionth
patient to benefit from
optical charity OneSight
since it was founded in
1988. She received vision
care during OneSight’s
first clinic in The Gambia,
West Africa conducted in
partnership with fellow
charity Sightsavers. “We’ll
never forget the expression
on Marokey’s face when she
received her new glasses,”
said David Berumen,
OneSight clinic manager.
“The fact that we are sharing
this significant patient care
milestone with our partners
from Sightsavers makes
it even more special.” The
Gambia Clinic is the first in
a three-year partnership
between Sightsavers and
OneSight, the latter being a
Luxottica foundation.

optometrytoday
JULY 1 2011
VOLUME 51:13
ISSN 0268-5485
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AN OPTOMETRIST accused of
misconduct has been found not
guilty by a fitness to practise
committee of the GOC.
Northamptonshire-based
Jonathan Pointer faced seven
allegations in the hearing which
took place on June 16. They
included that he failed to use
a suitable test for the age of a
three-year-old female patient
who was assessed in 2009, in
that he undertook a Sheridan
Gardiner single letter test. He
was further accused that he
incorrectly concluded that
a visual acuity of 3/9, which
was claimed to be recorded as
‘approximately equivalent to
6/18’, was an acceptable visual
acuity for the patient. It was also
claimed that the optometrist
did not undertake retinoscopy
with a cycloplegic agent in
circumstances where the
examination indicated a visual
acuity of 3/9, stereo acuity was
200 seconds of arc, there was
NEWS
Optom found not guilty
limited cooperation from the
child patient, and the reason for
the examination was she had
been squinting and closing her
eyes when watching television.
However, at the conclusion
of the evidence called, Ian Stern
QC, on behalf of the optometrist
submitted there was no evidence
to support these allegations,
which the committee accepted.
However, in further accusations,
in which the optometrist was
said to have advised the patient’s
mother her daughter was
‘squinting out of habit and there
was no problem with her eyes’,
and that she should attend a
return appointment in 12 months’
time in circumstances where he
had not undertaken a complete
examination, the committee
found this matter proven. It
also found that the practitioner
had not referred the patient for
specialist examination by the
hospital eye service, or asked for
her return in the near future to
complete his examination.
In determining whether these
facts amounted to misconduct,
the committee was referred to
the case of Calhaem v the General
Medical Council.
Corinna Kershaw, chair of
the committee, concluded:
“Applying the test in Calhaem,
and in particular what Mr
Justice Jackson said at
paragraph 30(2) that a single
act or omission is less likely
to cross the threshold of
‘misconduct’ than multiple acts
of omissions, the committee
found that the acts and
omissions did not, in this case,
amount to misconduct.”
Vision Strategy applauded
COLLABORATIVE WORKING
like that of the UK Vision
Strategy will be key to the
new NHS, delegates at Vision
UK 2011 were told.
Speaking at last month’s
event, Lord Howe (pictured),
Parliamentary under secretary
of state for quality with
responsibility for eye care,
explained the relevance
of prime minster David
Cameron’s ‘Big Society’
idea in eye care services. He
explained how the UK Vision
Strategy was an excellent
example of the Government’s
initiative to get all sectors
working together to get better
value in healthcare.
“The development of the
Vision Strategy and the work
to take its aims forward
provide an outstanding
example of the Big Society in
action,” he said. “We believe
that locally-led, clinically-led,
patient focused collaborative
working is the way forward.
It’s the best way to improve
services to patients and
support people who have lost
their sight.
“Cross sector planning and
collaboration is key. What
are the things we should be
looking for from collaborative
working? Well, professional
collaboration is vital when
looking to design and develop
local care pathways, achieving
more integrated care and
improving service quality
in providing a better patient
experience and achieving a
more efficient use of available
resources.
“Better integration across
primary, secondary and social
care, public health and the
voluntary sector is key in
increasing value.”
Comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk

Ambitious network
targets 250 practices
UPLIFT, the network of optical
surgeons and optometrists, is
aiming to have 250 independent
practices involved in its business
by 2013.
The Birmingham-based
company, which offers
optometrists involvement in
referrals for cosmetic eyelid
surgery and other types of optical
procedures, is preparing for a
‘significant marketing campaign’
later this year in the first stage of
an ambition to make its name
a household brand for optical
surgical treatment, including laser
eye surgery.
Omar Durrani (pictured),
himself a specialist in cosmetic
eye surgery, who helped found
the company, told OT that Uplift
has expansive plans to involve
optometrists from independent
practices in the network.
“We hope to have100 optical
outlets involved by the year-end”,
he said, “and by 2013 we’re aiming
Glaucoma test named
in top UK research list
New computer-based
technology which provides a
simple and effective test for
glaucoma has been selected
as ‘one of the most important
research projects taking place
in the uK’ at the moment.
Developed by experts at
moorfields eye Hospital, the
ucL Institute of ophthalmology
and city university,
the moorfields motion
Displacement test (mmDt) was
named in this year’s ‘Big Ideas
for the Future’ report.
to have 250 in the network.
“We’re really going to push
this [brand]. One of our main
business plans is to make Uplift a
household name, associated with
quality eye care.”
Mr Durrani said the company
grew from discussions with fellow
optical professionals dissatisfied
with the current model of facial
and eye surgery in the UK.
“The major clinics are only in
the major cities, and there is a lack
of continuity of care,” he claimed.
“We hope to bring a truly local
service to patients, and also find
the annual report, jointly
published by the research
councils uK and universities
uK, looks at research in a variety
of fields including science,
social sciences, engineering and
humanities.
Dr Gay Verdon-roe, senior
the best surgeon for their needs.”
Uplift is involving independent
opticians in the referral process
for those who require eyelid
surgery as well as cataract and
laser eye treatment.
“The optometrist puts the
patient in touch with a surgeon
following a diagnosis guide,” said
Mr Durrani, “and one of the key
things is that there is no selling
surgery at that point, simply
a discussion about seeing a
surgeon for potential treatment.”
He said he expects most of
Uplift’s patients to be generated
by its website which states
that ‘only leading, national or
internationally recognised,
reputable NHS accredited
consultants are invited to join the
company’.
The website will also feature
the optical practices involved,
and will benefit the practitioners,
in part via Uplift’s growing
reputation, said Mr Durrani.
research fellow to the mmDt
project, said: “the mmDt is a
good example of translational
research, where universities
work together to improve the
standard of care to patients.”
the tool, which researchers
began developing in 1999,
tests a patient’s field of vision
and has been designed to
run on a standard computer,
allowing the technology to
offer an affordable and portable
method for detecting glaucoma
in the community.
News updated regularly at www.optometry.co.uk
BRIEFING
New optical leads
arrive at LOCSU
TWO new optical leads have been
appointed by the LOCSU (Local
Optical Committee Support Unit) to
work with senior commissioners.
Experienced clinician and chair
of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey
LOC, Sue Leighter, has been tasked
by LOCSU with raising the profile
of community optometry within
London. Joan Myhill, who is
administrator and liaison officer
for Cambridgeshire LOC, has been
appointed as optical lead for East of
England. She has much ophthalmic
experience, combined with
business experience of the utilities
software sector for three global
companies.
Katrina Venerus, LOCSU’s director
of operations and commissioning,
said: “The appointment of a
further two optical leads, means
that every region in England now
has an optical lead to help LOCs
influence senior current and future
commissioners and maximise
opportunities for our professions.
“From engaging with GPs
through our stand and event at the
recent Commissioning
2011 conference,
we know that many
are keen to involve
representative groups
so that NHS makes the
best use of resources to
put the right care in the
right place at the right time.”
In addition Steve Mayer
(pictured) has been appointed
as a LOCSU board member
following the departure of Rena
Souten. Currently the chair of
West Pennine LOC, he has his own
practice in the north west.
Welcoming his appointment,
chair of LOCSU Alan Tinger said:
“We are delighted that Steve will be
taking up the mantle for LOCs in the
north and ensuring that their voices
are heard at the highest level. His
experience of leading an LOC will
help ensure that LOCSU’s board
strategies become realities for
optical committee members.”
7
01/07/11 NEWS

neWS
comment
8
01/07/11 NEWS
Cataract thresholds
are ‘false economy’
ARBITRARY THRESHOLDS
for cataract treatment
being initiated by some
PCTs are a ‘false economy’,
and will reduce the
quality of life for older
people, an RNIB report has
concluded.
Following a Freedom of
Information Act request
to all English PCTs for
relevant data, the charity
found that 53% of those
who responded had an
acuity threshold in place for treatment, with
some trusts falling short of Department of Health
guidance.
Action on Cataracts, the DoH’s best practice
document on the subject, sets out three criteria
which should be met for an operation to be
performed, without setting an acuity threshold:
‘The cataract must affects the individual’s sight,
the reduction in the patient’s sight has to have a
negative impact on their quality of life and that
the patient understands the risks and agrees to
having surgery.’
The RNIB’s eye health campaigns manager,
Barbara McLaughlan (pictured), told OT: “It is clear
that some PCTs are introducing policies which
force patients in need of cataract operations to
live with unnecessary sight
loss and a reduced quality of
life. Yet, cataract surgery is safe
and has been shown to be
cost and clinically effective.
“Introducing arbitrary
visual acuity thresholds and
delaying cataract operations
is a false economy. A patient
whose sight is restricted by
a cataract will at some stage
absolutely need surgery.
“Delays can stop a patient
from reading, driving or living
an independent life. But this short-term saving
could also lead to older people having falls and
expensive hip replacement surgery, potentially
increasing NHS costs in the longer term.”
The new report, released this week, also
includes information from a Royal College of
Ophthalmologists’ online survey of members
where 38% said they had encountered situations
where a patient had been disadvantaged
because of restrictions on cataract surgery.
The report emerged as OT is receiving
reports from concerned practitioners who
believe financial cutbacks by some PCTs are
creating a ‘postcode lottery’ in cataract surgery,
and treatment in being provided only when a
patient’s condition becomes severe.
Carrots in warm-up
The sighT of
carrots doing
press-ups
on London’s
Millennium Bridge
to highlight
eye care issues
was greeted
by commuters
and tourists last
month. Organised by optical charity Fight
for sight, the warm-up routine marked
the launch of fundraising for its inaugural
15-mile ‘Carrots Nightwalk’ which will
see volunteers
walking around
some of London’s
famous attractions
dressed in carrotsbranded
T-shirts
on september 23.
Registration for the
main event is £25
with a suggested
minimum sponsorship level of £150.
Visit www.fightforsight.org.uk/carrotsnight-walk-london
for more details and
to register to take part.
From little
acorns grow…
IT WAS good to attend the first LOCSU
professional roundtable last month (see
page 22). The London event, organised
with GP magazine, brought together a
number of General Practitioners and
optometrists for a discussion on how to
improve eye care services.
What was admirable, and inspiring for
both sides, was the levels of agreement
that optometrists are ready to get
involved in a wider level of care, and at
times the GPs candid acknowledgement
that they were simply agreeing to
referrals the optoms passed on.
It wasn’t the biggest roundtable I have
attended, but as a first – the LOCSU
intends to have more of this type of
meeting – it was a success, and it is
featured on our website as a broadcast.
Elsewhere I was struck by the passion
and commitment of ophthalmologist
Omar Durrani who I met last week (see
page 7) – who has launched a business
to provide a network of surgeons and
optometrists to deliver a variety of
optical-linked surgery. Birminghambased
Uplift wants to work solely with
independent opticians to help patients
who require cosmetic eyelid and request
laser eye surgery.
The company currently has around
two dozen practices involved, but Mr
Durrani has expansive ambitions, with
the hope that 250 outlets will be part of
the network by 2013.
In an economic environment which
is not conducive to major new plans,
Uplift’s aim to expand the business of
those smaller practices who join the
network – and help their involvement
with patients who require optical surgery
– is as refreshing as it is rare.
David challinor, editor-in-chief ot
comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk

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NEWS
10
01/07/11 NEWS
BRIEFING
Fitness to practise
was ‘not impaired’
AN OPTOMETRIST has been found not
guilty of misconduct by a fitness to
practise committee of the GOC.
It heard allegations against
Rotherham-based Robert King that
emerged from a 2009 consultation.
It was claimed that the
practitioner did not adequately
investigate the patient’s history,
or ask the patient about the type
of visual aura experienced after
she complained of a ‘grey area’ in
her vision. It was alleged that the
optometrist failed to perform tests
required to investigate her complaint
adequately, or refer her on to another
appropriate health care professional.
It was also claimed that he did not
conduct an appropriate visual field
test such as the confrontation test,
and that he did not take account of
the patient’s myopia, gender and a
nasal visual field defect.
The committee was concerned
at the quality of the evidence given
by a doctor called as an expert for
the Council who gave six risk factors
which could detect the presence of
retinal detachment, but in the case
of the patient in question conceded
that only one, myopia, was present.
It was also concerned with the
patient’s evidence and that it could
not ‘safely place reliance on her
evidence as to what she had told the
registrant at the consultation’.
Gerda Goldinger, AOP director of
legal services, said: “ The striking
feature about this case is that each
of the allegations was considered by
the FTP committee. The committee
members listened to the evidence
put forward on behalf of the GOC
which included expert evidence
and, without having to consider
our member’s response to the
allegations, found that Mr King
was not guilty of misconduct and
that his fitness to practise is not
impaired. Our member’s long and
unblemished career remains intact.
It is difficult to fathom why the GOC
could not have reached this decision
much sooner, given that the facts
were first raised with it in 2009.”
Public health roundtable
emphasises strategy need
REPRESENTATIVES FROM
across optics joined with public
health specialists to discuss the
opportunities and challenges of
advancing ophthalmic public
health at a specially convened
roundtable event hosted by
the College of Optometrists last
month. The meeting earmarked
the need for an ophthalmic
public health strategy.
Settiing the scene City
University’s Professor John
Lawrenson (pictured) presented
an evidence-based view of
eye care and public health,
followed by Professor Darren
Shickle (Leeds University) who
gave participants an overview
of public health policy and
questioned whether primary
care optometry is “up for the
challenge” of public health.
Leaders of the optometric
THE DEADLINE for student
optometrists and DOs to
renew their GOC registration
is now just two weeks’ away.
In total 2,034 students on
GOC-regulated courses are
yet to apply to renew their
registration, and they must
do so by July 15 if they wish
to continue their studies
next year. Failure to apply
on time will mean having to
pay an additional £10 late
application fee on top of the
standard £20 fee.
For the first time this year,
students can apply to renew
their registration online.
This should take less than 10
minutes, the Council claims,
bodies in the UK’s devolved
administrations, LOCSU for
England, and the RNIB, responded
by outlining the levels of public
health activities taking place.
Dr Cindy Tromans, president
of the College of Optometrists
and chair of the roundtable
said: “Prompted by the current
government health reforms, this
was the first time that the sector
has come together to debate the
issue of ophthalmic public health.
Although not an easy topic to
tackle, all participants agreed
that action was needed now to
resolve the main issues.”
It was agreed that the College
and the Optical Confederation
will discuss how best to draw
up an ophthalmic public health
strategy for consultation.
A spokesperson for the
Optical Confederation said:
“If we succeed in advancing
ophthalmic public health,
our efforts will lead to better
health outcomes, but also to
full utilisation of clinical training
for practitioners and more
investment in the optical sector
which in turn will lead to better
population outcomes – this is a
‘win-win’. The challenge is how
we, as a sector offer leadership
and make that happen, as noone
else will. Watch this space.”
Deadline approaches soon
for student GOC retention
via the GOC’s website at
www.optical.org
GOC registrar and chief
executive, Samantha Peters
(pictured) said: “I would
encourage everyone to apply
by July 15 to save money
and potential problems with
continuing their studies.
“Maintaining GOC
registration is an important
part of studying optometry or
dispensing optics – students
who allow their registration
to lapse could find
themselves excluded from
exams and clinical training.”
Those students who
apply after the deadline and
between July 16 and August
31 will need to pay the extra
late application charge
Those who also miss the
August 31 deadline will be
removed from the registers
in September, and they will
then have to restore to the
registers at a cost of £40.

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LETTERS
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responsible for their own costs.
requirements, and did they want
they will be less prepared to try
screeners as a result of pressure
I took my LHB to court for the
me to do it. They replied they did
and bully us in the future.
from a PCT take legal action (OT,
return of the difference between
and I complied and sent them
I am prepared to put my
June 17).
the NHS fee and the private fee
a bill for doing so. They initially
money where my mouth is and
One against a PCT and one
that they withheld from me
refused, but when I threatened
offer £100 each towards the
12
against an individual who
signed a letter telling them
after a private patient submitted
an HC1 and got full help. I lost.
them with the small claims court
they paid up because they knew
costs of the first two people to
take a PCT or an individual from
to purchase a field screener
However, when they told us
it was not an idle threat.
a PCT to court.
or lose their contract. In the
we had to fill out reasons why
Let them walk all over you and
Peter Harrop, Caernarfon
01/07/11 LETTERS
Throwing down a frames gauntlet
I work in a small city
centre practice whose
business is fairly
evenly split between
contact lenses and
spectacles. We have been
attempting to re-stock
our spectacle frames
with a good variety of
frame models but to
no avail. Over the past
few years a few larger
frame suppliers (two
firms based in London,
one in Yorkshire) have
unceremoniously closed
our accounts – even
though every monthly
statement was paid
immediately. We can only
assume that we are being
punished for not stocking
“x-dozen” premium
priced frames from their
homogeneous ‘designer’
ranges.
This has reduced the
number of our potential
suppliers, also our frames
variety considerably. It is
fair to say that many contact
lens wearers don’t like
‘heavy’ spectacles. With
the current vogue for thick
rimsy/trims and larger eye
sizes it can be seen that
many contact lens wearers
are drifting even further
away from spectacles wear.
It is these patients who are
being poorly served by the
current (none) variety in
frame choice.
It seems every new
catalogue has the same
style of heavy/rectangular
styles. Every batch of each
collection has no variety
contained therein. We also
find many of these modern
frames are very hard to
adjust correctly due to thick,
wide sides, long trims or
overly stiff materials.
We are definitely seeking
a few finer, lighter styles
along the lines of the (older)
Jeff Banks 453, Ferruci 192,
Luxottica 1501/2/3.T – i.e.
46+50 eyes, sensible colours
e.g light bronze, almond
with shallow oval/barrel
shapes – do any OT readers
know of any suppliers of
such frames? Are there
any brave manufacturers/
suppliers out there who are
wishing to supply frames
that will be dependable
sellers, but fly in the face of
current fashion? We await
the industry response with
interest!
G J White, FBDO,
Sedgebrook,
Lincolnshire.
Come along to our induction days
The flurry of political activity over the past week following the NHS
‘listening exercise’ means that the commissioning landscape is
changing rapidly. Members of Local Optical Committees have a great
opportunity to use the good relationships many already have developed
with their local GPs to get more enhanced services in their region.
However, we all know that in some areas it is not as easy as that,
particularly when the nuts and bolts of how the reforms will actually
work are yet to emerge. I would urge LOC members, both new and
not so new, to come along to either of LOCSU’s two induction days,
July 13 (London) and July 18 (Leeds), which will provide the latest
information and news on what the commissioning reforms will mean
for them. For any LOC that has struggled with a difficult combination
of local personalities and complex commissioning arrangements, these
events offer members the chance to look afresh at how they can use
the opportunity of the NHS changes to raise the profile of community
optometry in their region.
For more details about the courses, please contact Jacque Hudson,
LOCSU office manager on 020 7202 8156 or jacquehudson@locsu.co.uk
Katrina Venerus
LOCSU director of operations and commissioning
OT Letters, 61 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HL E: davidchallinor@optometry.co.uk The Editor reserves the right to edit letters and points out that the views expressed may not be those of the journal.

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SPECTATOR
We need to have more
dialogue with the GPs
14
01/07/11 SPECTATOR
WE ARE now in the ‘post-pause’ era – and the pace of
proposed changes to the NHS appears to be continuing
largely unabated. Recent weeks have seen an upsurge in
the number of ‘commissioning’ conferences and events as
the convention industry cashes in on an identified market
need – provision of ‘how-to’ learning events for a target
audience of GPs, NHS managers and service providers
to support the roll-out of the Government’s planned
reforms for the NHS. The topic of commissioning has
figured in this column previously, largely as a reflection
of the frustration which exists across the profession that
our current and potential contribution is either taken for
granted or simply over-looked. But maybe this is about to
change.
In the margins of one such commissioning event
“Commissioning 2011” the LOC Support Unit co-hosted
a roundtable discussion between optometrists and GPs
(pictured) about improving eye care services through
commissioning. Reported in last week’s GP magazine,
among the many positive aspects to emerge from the
discussion was the comment by GP and government
adviser Dr James Kingsland who acknowledged that there
was a ‘huge repository’ of largely untapped knowledge in
optometry.
GPs are probably the key audience our profession
needs to educate during the run-up to full-blown
commissioning, and LOCSU should be congratulated for
creating this opportunity for us to be heard. More of the
same please.
Earlier in the month, various research reports highlighting
eye care related issues were released in time to coincide
with National Eye Health Week. A recurring theme among
these were the particular problems encountered by older
people.
Last week saw the publication of the joint College
of Optometrists and British Geriatrics Society review
on the importance of vision in preventing falls and at
the beginning of this week, Age UK published its own
study which indicates likely cuts in older people’s social
care of 8.4% this year. Many of these cuts will be as a
result of local authorities striving to protect front-line
services – but by making savings in areas such as social
care provision, domiciliary care packages and reducing
the number of placements in care homes. Age UK’s
report estimates that the number of older people in need
of social care, who do not receive any formal support
from either state or private sector agencies will rise from
800,000 to well over one million over the next four years
as a result of these cuts. Optometrists and dispensing
opticians have an important role to play here – and an
important responsibility to meet. Provision of domiciliary
eye care is an area of practice that many practitioners elect
not to become involved in, leaving this provision to the
various national domiciliary companies.
However, in England, the Department of Health’s own
data shows that the take-up of domiciliary eye care is
lower than would be expected for the population and this
means that there is certainly unmet demand.
We must take individual responsibility for ensuring the
needs of this particularly vulnerable patient group are met.
Now is the time we should be considering how, rather than
if, we should get involved in delivering this service.
Those practitioners with school age children will have
had their week disrupted one way or another by teachers’
industrial action. Meanwhile, another group of public
employees – namely the doctors – who are facing the
same proposed changes to their pension age, have made
it clear that they will not take industrial action. With few
exceptions, optometrists and dispensing opticians are not
public employees and hence have never had the option
of a public sector pension. While there will be a range
of views about the fairness of these proposed changes
(particularly for those who are close to retirement) it is
probably fair to say that on this topic the doctors have
judged the public mood better than some other groups of
public employees. We are all having to negotiate our way
through the current tough times and, while we recognise
the need for individual groups to be able to protect their
own positions, please do not make the rest of us suffer
more in the process.
For more comment visit www.optometry.co.uk

CL UpDaTe
INDUSTRYNEWS
16
01/07/11 INDUSTRY NEWS
New launches
Bausch & LomB has launched new packaging
for its full range of gas permeable lenses.
Borrowing technology from its soft lens
packaging, the company is now providing gas
permeable contact lenses pre-soaked in blisters,
(pictured) meaning that practitioners or patients
will no longer need to soak them when they first
receive them.
Each lens, which is made to measure to an
individual’s prescription, is now provided in a
blister containing Boston advance conditioning
solution with the label indicating the lens design
and prescription. also indicated is the 28-day
expiry date for the solution.
“From talking to our customers, we became
aware that some patients may not be soaking
their GP lenses sufficiently before they inserted
them for the first time, resulting in discomfort,”
said technical support manager, steve Williams.
“as we already provide our soft lenses in blisters
and solution, we were able to study the process
and apply it to our GP lenses, allowing patients
to have an even more positive first experience of
their GP lenses.”
Johnson & Johnson Vision care is encouraging
contact lens wearers to be more compliant by
signing up to its improved acuminder service,
after research showed patients are 91%
more likely to change their lenses within the
recommended period when reminded. Reusable
contact lens wearers can sign-up to receive free
reminders via text or email to keep track of all
their contact lens needs, including when they
need to schedule an eye examination, by logging
on to www.acuminder.co.uk.
“although past research in the uK has
shown that wearers of monthly and twoweekly
replacement lenses have equal states
of compliance, it can always be improved,”
said David Ruston, professional affairs director,
western region at Johnson & Johnson Vision
care. “This great service aims to make wearing
reusable contact lenses as simple as possible.
It’s just another way that practitioners can
encourage their patients to take a more
personal role in looking after their own eye
health, for free.”
UK Indian lens first
BBGR has introduced anateo Jeevan, the UK’s first progressive lens designed for
presbyopes from the Indian subcontinent. Jeevan means “life” in hindi.
Using data from a year-long survey conducted among 37,000 patients
in Chennai and Bangalore, BBGR has adapted the award-winning anateo
design to satisfy three key visual requirements of presbyopes from the
Indian subcontinent – eye anatomy, facial anatomy and ergonomics.
The survey concluded that, compared to European and North
american wearers, significant differences were recorded in
average PD, eye length, rotational axis, BVD and wrap angle.
also noted was the higher degree of head movement
exercised by typical Indian presbyopes and a tendency to
hold objects closer when reading.
BBGR’s business development director, Nick Browning
said: “Our survey clearly illustrated that the design
should be optimised for the very different parameters
found in wearers from the Indian subcontinent.
These differences may explain why opticians often
comment that non-tolerance rates in Indian, Pakistani
and Bangladeshi patients are higher than found in other
population groups.”
anateo Jeevan is offered in a full range of materials and
indices, including Transitions, with Neva Max available on
all lens combinations.
& 0844 880 1349

Dreaming
up better
Ortho-K
No7 CoNtaCt Lenses has launched
EyeDream, a re-branding of its popular
ortho-K lenses, which now have over
3,500 wearers across 200 proactive
centres and growing.
No7 felt that it needed to support
practitioners further by offering
marketing materials for the practice to
personalise to drive patient awareness.
Commercial director, Maxine Green,
said: “the materials provide a host
of compelling reasons for patients to
consider EyeDream over other forms
of vision correction.”
the new initiatives can be
personalised with practice details. they
include an interactive patient website,
window displays and patient leaflets.
there is also a patient presentation
which can be displayed on a practice PC
or linked to the practice website.
& 01424 850620
Celebrating
glory days
Norville has released the new Best
Under the sun collection from Polaroid
eyewear which celebrates the history of
Polaroid sunglasses. The heritage range
re-creates some of Polaroid’s most iconic
designs from the 1930s to the 1980s,
but made from the latest lightweight
materials and featuring Polaroid’s
Ultrasight lenses. each design has been
selected to reflect the keynote fashions
of a particular decade.
“This is the first time our retail
partners will have the opportunity to
show the complete history of Polaroid
sunglasses in a single attractive window
display.” said Polaroid eyewear’s UK
and ireland sales manager, rebecca
harwood lincoln.
& 01452 510321
olympic frames boost
ZOOBUG has been
chosen to produce the
Official London 2012
sunglass Collection
for children, which
will be launched in
the UK this month
following the signing of a
licence between the children’s
eyewear specialist and the London
Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic
Games (LOCOG). The sunglass collection will be
manufactured under licence by Zoobug in celebration
of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games
and will be available to UK opticians for delivery before
Christmas.
“Zoobug is honoured to be involved in the Olympics, having been chosen to produce their
official sunglasses for children,” said company founder, Dr Julie Diem Le. “The London 2012
Games is the biggest organised event in the world. This is huge and will make for such an
exciting retail and marketing opportunity for all UK opticians in the run up to, and during,
the Games.”
Each sunglass style will boast a new flexible hinge design and adjustable rubber end
tips for “high-level comfort”, plus 100% UV protective lenses. The frames are designed in
popular shapes using the bright colour palette of London 2012. They are designed to be safe,
comfortable and durable, for children of all ages.
Decorative elements will include the Olympic and Paralympic mascots, Wenlock and
Mandeville, and the London 2012 Union Flag designs. The collection will also incorporate Team
GB designs, using the red, white and blue colour palette in support of the team, which will
compete at the Games. Each product will come with a London 2012 or Team GB sunglasses
pouch.
& 0207 251 8122
Anyone for prizes?
Rodenstock has launched a special prize promotion for all Wimbledon sunglass stockists
to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Wimbledon championships. Running until the end
of July, practices which promote the Wimbledon sunglass collection of frames can take
part in a special promotion for both the practice and the consumer – ‘125 years, 125 chances
to win’.
the consumer can enter the competition in practice for the chance to win one of 125
prizes ranging from a nintendo Wii with tennis pack, to Links of London Wimbledon lifestyle
accessories and assorted Wimbledon championship items.
Practices can gain by having striking point-of-sale material to entice potential customers
in and can benefit further as every 125th Wimbledon sunglass repeat order that Rodenstock
receives will be free of
charge so practices could
be credited for multiple
orders at the end of the
competition period.
the 2011 Wimbledon
sunglass collection
consists of 18 models for
women and men.
& 01474 325555
17
01/07/11 INDUSTRY NEWS

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N=174.2. JJVC data on fi le 2007: Equal comfort wearing ACUVUE ® OASYS ® in one eye and no lens in the other. Open label, 4 week study, 35 neophytes aged 40-60. Comfort assessed 1 & 4 weeks compared to baseline (no lens). 3. Parallel group,
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PROFILE
20 Questions: John Davidson
John Davidson, optometrist and owner of Querido & Davidson in Heaton, Newcastle, takes our Q&A
20
01/07/11 20 QUESTIONS
How are you?
I am happy, healthy and busy, so life is
great.
And how is business generally
right now?
Business is thriving. We grew 15% last year
and are looking for the same in 2011.
Have you had any promotions in
your outlet that were especially
successful?
We promote the practice primarily by word
of mouth, where satisfaction and attentive
service are often enough to keep new
clients joining the practice. Other than
that, our website is very efficient at driving
new business to the practice.
What do you like about working
in optics?
Optics is a great industry to be in. It’s small
enough to get to know so many people.
I have found people from all parts of the
industry to be friendly and always helpful.
What’s the best thing that’s
happened in the profession
during your time working in it?
I think the most recent national stance
on glaucoma referral refinement has, for
the first time, shown that we can act as a
united profession to show decision makers
what we can do and what we will do.
Who do you admire in optics?
Chris Steele from Sunderland Eye Infirmary
has been inspirational in changing my
perception of just how far optometrists
can go clinically. Nick Rumney inspires me
as an optometrist and practice owner, with
an immense wealth of knowledge.
Favourite places in the world
that optics has taken you?
The city of Prague at the Johnson &
Johnson Vision Care Institute.
Are you superstitious?
Not at all. I don’t think fate, or superstition
play any part in our existence. It’s all
about probability and circumstances.
If you were granted one wish
for the profession, what would
you wish for?
An end to the seemingly untenable NHS
funding issue. If our work is only funded
to 40% of its value, then we need to
move away from the system as soon as
possible. I applaud those involved in the
lobbying and political process of trying
to keep the momentum of change.
Do you have a favourite film?
Glengarry Glen Ross which has amazing
performances from Jack Lemmon, Al
Pacino and Kevin Spacey.
Outside of the profession,
what are your hobbies?
I am training for a cycling trip in
September, and run when I can, however,
my two young sons take up most of my
time outside of work.
Sum up your feelings for the
next 12 months in five words.
Optimistic opportunist optometrist
operating optimally.
Where do you go on holiday?
Mostly in the UK, but I am lucky to have a
brother in Denver so we go to the USA.
What are your favourite
products in the optical sector?
Lindberg and Paul Smith spectacle frames,
Maui Jim sunglasses. SO2Clear and
Ortho-K contact lenses.
If you weren’t in the profession
what would you be doing?
Possibly doing stand up comedy. …..or
kids’ entertainment at birthday parties.
Who’s your favourite singer?
Tim Minchin – absolutely hilarious.
What do you put down your
company’s success to?
Find your market, get to know your
market, stick to it and don’t deviate.
Favourite time of year?
Spring. That feeling of anticipation, and
renewed energy is great.
Your perfect day?
Watching rugby at Twickenham with
friends, followed by the resurrection of
Miles Davis for a final intimate concert of
his Kind of Blue album at the Blue Notes
in New York. Finally a nightcap watching
the sunset over Sydney Harbour with
Cameron Dias. Is this possible?
Any final thoughts?
A perfect marriage is one where you
can agree on an acceptable number of
cushions!

NEWS EXTRA
Boots’ 500 is up in
‘momentous year’
ALLIANCE BOOTS has announced that
its latest wave of rebranding Dollond &
Aitchison practices has resulted in the
500th Boots Opticians being opened.
The new-look outlet in Colchester was
officially re-opened by the town’s mayor,
Councillor Helen Chuah in June.
The roll-out of the rebranded practices
is a result of the merger between the two
companies in 2009, which made it the
second largest optical chain in the UK.
It includes both franchise and core practices, and together with
those that are still currently branded Dollond & Aitchison, there
are almost 700 practices across the entire chain.
Andy Ferguson, managing director, Boots Opticians, said:
“2011 is proving to be a momentous year for Boots Opticians.
Amongst other things, we had an amazing start to the year, being
ranked as the Sunday Times number one Best Big Company
to Work For in the UK 2011; we have also started the process
of moving to one supply chain, which will help make things
more efficient for both our teams and
our customers. These achievements
have been in the planning stages since
the merger, but to see them all come to
fruition is exceptionally rewarding. The
second half of this year will prove to be
no less exciting, with lots more initiatives
planned for the coming months.”
One of the latest to be rebranded was
the historic D&A store at 428 The Strand,
London, which was re-opened on June 24.
It was in nearby Vine Street that optical instrument maker Peter
Dollond opened his first optics business in 1750.
Andrew Chandler, retail director, Boots Opticians,
commented: “Since the merger of Boots Opticians with Dollond
& Aitchison, good progress has been made with the integration
of the two businesses. We have combined the best of both former
businesses to offer our customers an enhanced product offering.”
The rebrand roll-out programme by the company will
continue throughout 2011.
21
01/07/11 D&A RE-BRANDING

NEWS EXTRA
GP/Optom roundtable
points the way forward
22 28
08/04/11 01/07/11 GP ROUNDTABLE
OPTOMETRISTS anD
General Practitioners
can work towards
improvements in eye care
services and more costeffective
working.
This was one of
the conclusions of
a roundtable debate
between optical
practitioners and GPs
which took place in
London on June 16, at the
Hilton Olympia hotel.
It was chaired by
Dr James Kirkland,
Merseyside GP and
president of the national
association of Primary
Care, and national PBC Clinical network lead. It was
organised by GP magazine and the Local Optical Committee
Support Unit (LOCSU), and is the first of a series of
roundtable events that LOCSU hopes to host.
One of the optometrists involved, Katrina Venerus, who
is also the Unit’s director of operations and commissioning,
commented: “James Kingsland did an excellent job as chair
and the other GPs who were present, who are involved
The panel discussed... new ways
of working to help take pressure
off hospital eye departments
in commissioning in various parts of England, were very
supportive of the case for getting eye health on a wider
agenda and redesigning eye care pathways to involve
community optical practices via LOCs.”
The panel discussed the ageing population and the need
of new ways of working to help take pressure off hospital
eye departments.
Optical practitioners
said they were ready
to take on extended
responsibilities
with their specialist
knowledge.
at one point in the
discussion the routine
referral process, in
which optometrists
have to refer to a
GP who then refers
to secondary care,
was criticised by
one of the General
Practitioners present
who admitted their
role as being ‘a very
expensive secretarial
service’.
Trevor Warburton,
the Stockport-based
optometrist and chair
of LOCSU’s clinical
advisory group,
agreed his profession
could bring more
expertise into eye
care services, and Specsavers’ director of professional services
Paul Carroll said that the business was intently focussed on
providing what patients want which could improve eye care
services.
Professor nick
Bosanquet’s report into
cooperative eye care,
which was released
at the end of last year,
was mentioned as a
basis for cooperation
and showed how the
skills of optometrists
can be used to provide
improved nHS eye care outcomes.
The GPs involved in the discussion said collaborative
working in various eye care schemes was going well, although
the point was raised that sometimes commercial pressures
had stopped optical outlets from being involved.
• The roundtable consisted of: Dr James Kingsland
(chairman), Katrina Venerus, Paul Carroll, Trevor
Warburton, Dr andrew Parson (GP lead at Bromley Clinical
Commissioning Consortium), Dr Rubin Minhas (Kent GP and
member of the nICE technology appraisal committee), Dr Raj
Thakkar (Buckinghamshire-based GP with a special interest in
cardiology) and Dr Tim Dukes (GP and clinical lead at Seisdon
Peninsula Locality Commissioning Group, Staffordshire).
The roundtable debate is available to watch on
www.optometry.co.uk.

BOOKSHOP
Historic retailing name
joins forces with OT
OT collaborates with Foyles in a new bookshop launched with up to 50%-off some publications
OT IS pleased to
announce that it
has launched its
new bookshop
in partnership
with Foyles. By
visiting www.
optometry.
co.uk/bookshop
you will have
two links to
choose from.
Either select to
view OT titles
sold directly via
the journal, or buy books from other publishers by clicking on
the relevant Foyles OT Bookshop link provided.
By using the link to the Foyles OT Bookshop, you will have
access to special discounts on ALL externally published titles,
with discounts ranging from 10% to more than 50%. Foyles’s
e-commerce manager, Becky Jones said: “Foyles is delighted
to be partnered with the industry leading Optometry Today
to provide books on all subjects at great prices. Whether it is
the latest book on optics or a new fiction bestseller you’ll find
them on our website.”
Use the search facility or browse the dedicated pages in
the ophthalmology or optometry pages. Alternatively, click
on the home button to look at other publications and still
take advantage of the discounts available. You can earn and
spend ‘Foyalty’ points too. All you need to do is sign up to
the scheme on the website which is free and easy to join – you
will need an email address and then you can start to earn
points every time you shop and redeem them whenever you
want. For every £1 you spend you will earn four ‘Foyalty’
points, each point worth 1p.
OT manager, Louise Walpole said: “I’m so pleased we
have this opportunity to provide discounted products to
our readership. With OT being the profession’s leading CET
provider, we must align ourselves with an equally prestigious
educational resource provider such as Foyles.”
In addition, you can order any of the OT published books
direct, again, just go to the bookshop website and click on the
relevant tab to view the fantastic offers available, including a
full collection of CET titles from just £10. Offers are subject
to change and are only available for a certain amount of time.
Visit the bookshop at www.optometry.co.uk/bookshop and to
see some of the fantastic offers available.
Book offer
To mark the introduction of the new OT
Bookshop we are offering readers the
opportunity to purchase OT’s Shared Care
Series of nine CET titles for only £10.
The package contains a wide variety of CETrelated
books, including titles: Cataract Referral
& Management; Clinical Decision Making & the
Management of Contact Lens Complications;
Systemic Pathology; Neurology & the Eye; Anterior Segment Eye
Disease; Ageing Eye; Ocular Therapeutics: Case Studies; Ocular
Disorders: A Series of Case Studies; and Silicone Hydrogel Contact
Lenses. The package is subject to a £3.50 postage and packaging
fee.
For more information visit www.optometry.co.uk/bookshop,
or to order directly contact charlotteverity@aop.org.uk/
020 7202 8163.
23
01/07/11 READER OFFER

THERE’S MORE TO EYE
HEALTH THAN CARROTS.
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Supplements may benefit those with nutritionally inadequate diets. †Tested formula, found in a placebo controlled trial to help maintain normal eye moisture and conjunctival health.

COMPETITIONS
July crossword
This issue we continue our monthly crossword series. So why
not enter our competition before the closure date, August 1. The
winner will receive £50 in Marks & Spencer vouchers.
Sign up
to Job
Alerts
To hear about the
lastest job
vacancies first
www.optometry.
co.uk
25
Boost your chances
of finding the
ideal candidate
for your vacancy
by advertising on
www.optometry.
co.uk or call
020 7878 2313
01/07/11 CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Large snake (6)
5. Fuel (8)
9. Excessive food served to one (8)
10. Twenty-fifth anniversary (6)
11. Chemical used to fight tooth decay (8)
12. Paint colour ‘Burnt ------‘ (6)
13. Not ‘Northern’ (8)
15. Short-legged terrier (4)
17. Jogging gait (4)
19. Watery Goddess (3,5)
20. Rascally servant (6)
21. Moved rapidly to keep warm (8)
22. Famous musical with a slippery feel (6)
23. Ampersand (8)
24. Positive assertion (8)
25. Bank messenger (6)
DOWN
2. Keeps the house secure (4,4)
3. Controlled environment for plants (3,5)
4. Total success (2,7)
5. Parting gift with the Midas touch (6,9)
6. Bound to make a personal view (7)
7. Original thinker devising new ideas (8)
8. Increase one’s wealth (4,1,3)
14. That which us left over (9)
15. Recovered (8)
16. One’s own reflection (8)
17. Intimidate (8)
18. Do it again (4,4)
19. Offspring, related by marriage (4-3)
Name:
Address:
Send entries to OT, July Crossword, 61 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HL to arrive by August 1,
2011. You can now enter the crossword competition online at www.optometry.co.uk.
Display Advertising:
Vanya Palczewski
T: 0207 878 2347
E: vanya.palczewski@
tenalps.com
Classified:
Haley Willmott
T: 0207 878 2313
E: haley.willmott@
tenalps.com
Sponsorship:
Sunil Singh
T: 0207 878 2327
E: sunil.singh@
tenalps.com

DIARYDATES
12 Downing College, University of Cambridge,
Cambridge, AMD for optometrists 2011
(www.amdforoptometrists.org)
NEW… 8 No7 Contact Lenses, venue TBC,
London, Beyond the limbus evening SEE
ABOVE
20 UltraVision, Head Office, Leighton
Buzzard, Bedfordshire, KeraSoft IC workshop
(workshop@ultravision.co.uk)
12 NES, Kingsmills Hotel, Culcabock Road,
Inverness, Developing optometric skills
SEE ABOVE
26
01/07/11 DIARY DATES
Culture and CET with AIO
Education, dancing and the opportunity for a fascinating historical
The famous setting of Aintree racecourse plays host to this year’s
College trip are of all Optometrists on offer at this conference, year’s Association see below for Independent
Optometry (AIO) conference this Autumn.
Tickets are now available for the October 7-9 event at Kilworth
House Hotel, close to Market Harborough, Leicestershire, which is
near to Bosworth Battlefield and the National Space Centre.
Delegates will be able to earn CET points from the event including
lectures by two ophthalmic surgeons. The Saturday night of the
event will also include a Ceilidh band to entertain late-night revelers.
Contact secretary@afio.co.uk for further details and to book.
JULY
4 Independents Day, National Motorcycle
Museum, Birmingham
(www.independentsday.co.uk)
NEW… 6 Optical Confederation, 199
Gloucester Terrace, London, W2, Optical sector
steering group training and apprenticeship
workshop (karensparrow@aop.org.uk)
NEW… 11 Hospital of St John and St
Elizabeth, 60 Grove End Road, London, All
things retinal lecture (kate.jaffe@hje.org.uk)
NEW… 12 No7 Contact Lenses,
Cambridge, Irregular cornea,
Free CET day, includes lab tour
(www.no7contactlenses.com)
12 NES, The Beardmore Hotel,
Clydebank, Glasgow, Developing optometric
skills (www.nes.replaylearning.com/
clinical-skills)
9 NES, The Marriott Hotel, 500 Argyle
Street, Glasgow, Developing optometric
skills SEE ABOVE
NEW… 25 No7 Contact Lenses, Manchester,
Speciality day SEE ABOVE
AUGUST
NEW… 4 No7 Contact Lenses, venue TBC,
London, Beyond the limbus evening
roadshow SEE ABOVE
17 UltraVision, Head Office, Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire, KeraSoft IC workshop and fitting
techniques SEE ABOVE
22, 23, 24, 25 J&J, The Vision Care Institute,
Pinewood, Wokingham, OSCE preparation
one-day courses (www.thevisioncareinstitute.
co.uk)
NEW… 23 No7 Contact Lenses, Cambridge,
Ortho-K and topography day SEE ABOVE
SEPTEMBER
1 NES, Ettrick Riverside, Dunsdale Road,
Selkirk, Developing optometric skills
SEE ABOVE
NEW… 5 No7 Contact Lenses, Manchester,
Irregular cornea day SEE ABOVE
7 The Scottish Optical Golfing Society,
Ladybank, Fife, final annual outing
(haddington@montgomeryoptometrists.
co.uk)
NEW… 4 No7 Contact Lenses, Cambridge,
Irregular cornea day Free CET day, includes
lab tour SEE ABOVE
14 BCLA, Royal Society of Medicine, London,
presidential address (events@bcla.org.uk)
NEW… 14-15 Aston University,
Birmingham, Bernfest including several
International speakers, limited availability
(www.aston.ac.uk/bernfest)
21 UltraVision, Head Office, Leighton
Buzzard, Bedfordshire, KeraSoft IC workshop
and fitting techniques SEE ABOVE
22-24 International Conference on
Ophthalmic Photography, Venue TBC, Oxford
(www.icopmeeting.org)
25-26 BABO, Oxford University, college TBC,
Oxfordshire, Annual conference and 20th
anniversary celebration (www.babo.co.uk)
29-2 (October) Silmo, Paris Nord Villepinte
exhibition center, Paris, France
(www.silmoparis.com)
OCTOBER
NEW… 7-9 Association for Independent
Optometry, Kilworth House Hotel,
Leicestershire (secretary@afio.co.uk)
*Up to £5k
trade-in for
your old
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30TH SEPT.
2011
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Comprehensive online
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See more events at www.optometry.co.uk/events

STUDENTNEWS
Sponsored by
Conference booking opens
This year’s
AOP student
conference
will take place
on November
25-27 at
Center Parcs
in Longleat.
The event
is returning
for a second
consecutive
year to the Wiltshire-based holiday resort,
and students are urged to book early to
avoid disappointment after last year’s
conference was a sell-out.
The annual three-day event focuses on
providing students with important career
advice and guidance on the pre-reg period.
Once again travel to and from each
university will be arranged, and after the
conference closes at lunchtime on Sunday
(November 27) students will have the
afternoon free to enjoy Center Parcs’
leisure facilities.
A draft programme, which is currently
subject to
change, is
available
to view on
the new
dedicated
Student AOP
website,
www.
studentaop.
org.uk/events
Popular
sessions expected to return from last year
include ‘Planning for your Pre-reg’ with Dr
Anna Kwartz and Professor Steve Parrish;
‘What you didn’t know you didn’t know about
how to get a Pre-reg’ by AOP education
adviser Karen Sparrow; and ‘Circuit Training’
with a variety of industry representatives.
Tickets cost £85. To book visit, https://
www.eiseverywhere.com/ehome/index.
php?eventid=24716&, or use the QR code
on the events poster which appears in
this edition of OT. Watch footage from last
year’s conference at www.optometry.co.uk/
multimedia/ view-video?id=713145297001
Research wins
£120K grant
Researchers at
Cardiff University
have received a
grant exceeding
£120,000 to help
fund its work into
glaucoma.
The funding,
given by Fight for
Sight, was awarded
for a project studying the sclera with Dr Craig
Boote and Professor Keith Meek (pictured).
The study aims to identify changes to the
sclera which may contribute to optic nerve
damage. Data gathered from motion capture
video technology allows the researchers
to accurately record the movement of
the eyeball surface as internal pressure
changes. Combined with data on the sclera’s
microscoptic structure, the information is used
to build computer models of the human eye
that could lead to the development of new
treatments.
The funding coincides with a £2,000
donation to the research project by
Specsavers.
27
01/07/11 STUDENT NEWS
Congratulations to all graduates
The AOP would like to congratulate all new
optometry graduates and Alison McClune,
chair of the AOP Membership Committee,
wishes them all the best as they embark on
their pre-reg period.
Ms McClune writes: “The next step
is going into practice and seeing “real”
patients – I remember the nervousness and
the excitement like it was yesterday. I also
remember how important it was to get on
well with the receptionists! It’s a rewarding job
and one with so many opportunities, both in
and out of practice. Enjoy your pre-registration
year – a year when you’ll be honing your
skills and learning new ones, learning to work
as part of a team, providing the public with
an amazing eye health service, and finding
yourself part of a proud profession. Work hard,
learn as much as you can and look forward to
the day that you are supervisor free…like taking
the L plates off.”
AOP chairman, David Shannon added:
“Congratulations on completing your
undergraduate training. The pre-reg period
is another step on the way to your career as
an optometrist. It may seem daunting at the
moment but it will be over before you know it.
“The profession of optometry is constantly
evolving and rest assured the AOP will be there
to support you in providing high quality eye
care with confidence from the start of your
career. Whether it is help or advice we are only
a phone call away. I hope I get to meet some
of you soon. Good luck.”
Optometry students can take advantage of
a range of pre-reg study aids in the new
Learning Zone on the Student AOP website,
www.studentaop.org.uk. Students are reminded
that they can renew their free AOP membership
for their pre-reg year and continue to gain full
advice and access to the discounts and benefits
needed. Call 020 7401 5311.

VRICS
VISUAL RECOGNITION
AND IDENTIFICATION
OF CLINICAL SIGNS
Sponsored by
This FREE VRICS test should be completed online by clicking on the “VRICS Test” button at http://www.otcet.co.uk/
and answering the Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) using the associated images. Please note that there is only
one correct answer for each MCQ. The associated reading list provides useful help for completing the MCQS.
Successful completion will result in two CET points. VRICS regularly appears in Optometry Today.
28
OCULAR THERAPEUTICS & DISEASE PART 1
COURSE CODE: C-16565 O/AS/SP
Dr Mhairi Day, BSc (Hons), MCOptom, PhD,
Dr Douglas Lyall, MBChB MRCOphth
A
About the author
Dr Mhairi Day is an optometrist and lecturer at Glasgow Caledonian University. She is responsible
for the Introduction to Ocular Disease and Clinical Ophthalmology undergraduate modules and
co-ordinates training of UK optometrists in the postgraduate Ocular Therapeutics course.
Dr Douglas Lyall is a Specialty Registrar in the West of Scotland Deanery and is an Honorary Clinical
Research Fellow at NHS Ayrshire and Arran. The authors wish to thank Gartnavel General Hospital
Ophthalmology Department for providing images for this VRICS.
B
01/07/11 VRICS
1. A patient with the clinical information shown in Image A has
the anterior eye appearance shown in Image A. Which one of the
following does this patient have?
a) Pseudoexfoliation syndrome
b) Pigment dispersion syndrome
c) Iris cysts
d) Previous trabeculectomy
2. Which of the following is the MOST suitable course of action
for the patient in Image A?
a) Follow-up in 6 months time
b) Follow-up routinely in 2 years
c) Refer to the GP for glaucoma medications
d) Refer to an ophthalmologist for glaucoma medications
3. What is the MOST suitable first line treatment for the patient in
Image A, if they are diagnosed with early glaucoma?
a) Topical prostaglandin analogue
b) Topical beta-blocker
c) Topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitor
d) Laser trabeculoplasty
4. A 30-year-old male patient presents with bilateral painful and
itchy eyes. The clinical finding is shown in Image B. Which one of the
following is NOT associated with this condition?
a) Acne rosacea
b) Eczema
c) Hayfever
d) Keratoconus
5. The patient in Question 4 reports that he is taking systemic
medication for the condition shown in Image B, and he is
experiencing drowsiness. Which of the following medications is the
patient MOST likely to be taking?
a) Acrivastine
b) Cetirizine
c) Chlorphenamine
d) Loratadine
6. Regarding the appearance seen in front of the corneal surface of
Image B, as indicated by the arrows, which of the following ocular
therapeutic agents is MOST suitable for treatment of the condition
shown in Image B?
a) Antazoline sulphate
b) Chloramphenicol
c) Aciclovir
d) Acetylcysteine

Sponsored by
CONFUSED ABOUT CET REQUIREMENTS? www.cetoptics.com/cetusers/faqs/
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Under the new Vantage rules, all OT CET points awarded will be uploaded to its website by us.
All participants must confirm these results on www.cetoptics.com so that they can move their points from the “Pending Points record” into
their “Final CET points record”. Full instructions on how to do this are available on their website. The closing date for this examination is
September 2 2011. CET points for this exam will be uploaded to Vantage on September 12 2011.
2 FREE CET POINTS
Approved for Optometrists Approved for AS Approved for SP
Associated reading:
1. Kanski JJ (2011) Clinical Ophthalmology: A Systematic Approach: Expert Consult,
7th Edition Elsevier
2. Ehlers JP et al. (2008). The Wills Eye Manual: Office and Emergency Room Diagnosis and
Treatment of Eye Disease. 5th Edition Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
3. The College of Optometrists Clinical Management Guidelines (http://www.college-optometrists.
org/en/professional-standards/clinical_management_guidelines/index.cfm)
4. British National Formulary (BNF) (http://bnf.org/bnf/index.htm)
C
D
29
01/07/11 VRICS
7. A patient presents with irritated eyes, the appearance of which
is shown in Image C. Which of the following is NOT evident in Image
C?
a) Chalazion
b) Crusting of the lid margins
c) Lid margin swelling
d) Lid margin hyperaemia
8. Which of the following is NOT a first line treatment of the
condition shown in Image C?
a) Warm compresses
b) Lid hygiene with baby shampoo twice daily
c) Advice on the avoidance of ocular cosmetics
d) No treatment is required as this should resolve fully in 2 days
9. If the condition in Image C persists after suitable first line
treatment, which of the following is NOT suitable as a second line
treatment?
a) Topical artificial tears
b) Topical antibiotics
c) Systemic tetracycline
d) Systemic steroids
10. A 25-year-old female patient presents with a watery eye and
with the appearance shown in Image D. Which of the following
statements about the finding in Image D is TRUE?
a) The appearance is of follicles since there is a central vascular tuft on each
raised bump
b) The appearance is of follicles since there is pallor
c) The appearance is that of papillae since each raised bump is discrete
d) The appearance is that of papillae which are due to hyperplasia of
lymphoid tissue
11. Which of the following would NOT be a helpful test to facilitate
differential diagnosis of the condition shown in Image D?
a) Assessment of corneal sensitivity
b) Sodium fluorescein staining
c) Rose bengal staining
d) Intraocular pressure measurement
12. If no other abnormalities are found for the patient in Question
10 and with the condition in Image D, which one of the following
pharmacological treatments is MOST suitable?
a) No pharmacological treatment is required
b) Topical anti-viral agent
c) Topical anti-bacterial agent
d) Topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent

eVeNTS
Independents Day 2011
We preview next Monday’s event which is aimed at independent practitioners, and its exhibitors
designed to reduce spherical aberration, which can result in
halos and glare. This exceptionally thin, monthly lens offers
crisp, clear vision, even in low-light situations.
30 28
08/04/11 01/07/11 COVER ID ‘11 guIDE STORY
InDEpEnDEnTS Day has built up a reputation as one
of the key events in the optical calendar for independent
practitioners. as well as the symposium there is a large
exhibition with over 40 companies attending. Here we review
what’s on offer:
AEL Partners
aEL partners has provided specialist VaT and tax solutions
to independent practices in the UK since 1988. partner Marc
Bennett and VaT services manager andy Kontakkis will be
available to provide you with jargon free advice on issues
such as “What’s the best VaT method for my practice?”; “am
I paying too much tax?”; “Should I incorporate?” and “How
much is my practice worth?” you will also be able to pick up
a free copy of the updated aEL report on ‘practice valuation
and tax planning’.
Bausch & Lomb
The contact lens giant will be showcasing recent innovations
including Biotrue multi-purpose solution, which provides
‘exceptional’ disinfection, three bio-inspired innovations (pH
balanced to match healthy tears, utilising hyaluronan and
keeps certain beneficial tear proteins active) and helps keep
lenses moist for up to 20 hours; and pureVision2 with High
Definition Optics, a comfortable and healthy lens option,
Carl Zeiss
Carl Zeiss has been established as a world-leading company
in optometric equipment, from the gold standard Humphrey
Visual Field instruments, to the best selling Cirrus OCT.
adding to the range, Carl Zeiss now has the worlds first
objective, repeatable macular pigment density measurement
with the new Visucam 200. This technology can help educate
patients to the dangers of a low macular pigment density
and show them that by taking supplements they can protect
themselves against developing aMD. Visitors to the stand will
have the opportunity to check their macular pigment density.
CIBA Vision
Contact lens company CIBa Vision is committed to
supporting independent practitioners by providing
innovative business initiatives that help grow your practices,
it says. This includes the highly acclaimed Management and
Business academy (MBa), a series of intensive residential
business training programmes where practitioners learn
from leading business experts and network with like-minded
practitioners. Latest initiatives to support independent
practitioners include a series of web seminars focusing on
business growth.
Essilor
Lens manufacturer Essilor is proud to be title sponsors of
Independents Day for the fourth consecutive year meaning
that Varilux consultant opticians continue to get a discount
on their conference fees. The company’s CET workshop will
highlight techniques that can be used in practice to increase
the penetration of aR coated lenses to patients. Essilor will be
showcasing the latest range of lenses and coatings (including
the award winning Crizal lenses), as well as bringing the
‘ideal’ patient journey to life with Visioffice demonstrations.
Eyeplan
Eyeplan has been providing professional eye care plans for
independent professionals for 12 years. at its core are the
fundamental beliefs that independent practitioners should be
rewarded for the clinical excellence and care that they offer.
Eyeplan provides a fully managed direct debit and credit
card collection service, marketing, training and in practice
support. additionally with Eyeplan Connect, practices can
access the company’s marketing and design skills to create
a tailor made, targeted mailing service to help recruit new
patients and communicate with existing ones, including its
Eyeplan membership.

Hoya
Hoya, winner of the Optician Awards Optical Supplier
of the Year 2011, will be demonstrating its precision
measurement system with a difference, visuReal. Delegates
can experience the benefits for themselves by visiting the
Hoya stand for a free demonstration, including information
about all the marketing support tools available. The team
will be on hand to discuss its range of other products and
services which helped to secure their winning award.
Independent Practice Growth UK
Specialist optical growth company Independent Practice
Growth UK is offering every visitor to Independents Day
a free copy of a new paperback book on marketing and
growing your independent practice. It’s Time to Fight Back
has been written by the man behind the company, Richard
Pakey, and looks at how to beat the bad economy, the
multiples, and online glasses websites.
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson is very proud to be supporting
this year’s Independents Day. As part of its continual
commitment to independent eye care practitioners, the
company will have an exhibition stand enabling delegates
to learn all about Acuvue Oasys with Hydraclear Plus,
which has been shown to provide better overall and
end-of-day comfort, leaving patients feeling like they are
wearing no lens at all.
fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention
of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected
refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a
pair of glasses. Having disbursed $US4m to date, this has
translated to the funding of programs in 16 countries and the
screening of over 3.8 million people.
Seiko
This year Seiko celebrates its 130 th anniversary, and the 90 th
anniversary of its optical business. Being accredited as a
‘Seiko lens specialist’ makes a statement about a practice,
the company believes. Consumers associate the brand
with innovation, technology and style, precisely the types
of associations that many independent opticians wish to
nurture. This month the company will launch its latest
catalogue. Visitors to its stand will also get the chance to win
Seiko watches and clocks.
Shamir
For nearly three decades Shamir has been investing in
R&D and has developed, designed and patented innovative
Freeform lens design technologies. With lenses such as
Shamir Autograph FreeFrame, its latest introduction Shamir
Autograph Plus, Shamir Autograph and Shamir Autograph
Attitude, the business can support premium lens solution
requirements. Shamir also has advanced FreeForm Digressive
and Single Vision lenses, as well as the latest in broadband
coatings.
31
01/07/11 ID ‘11 guide
Kodak
Kodak Lens Vision Centre representatives will be present
at Independents Day to explain the Kodak model to all
practice and prospective practice owners. The company
says it offers operational support, national marketing and
bespoke local marketing, as well as a range of products
under “one of the world’s best known brands”. Its growth
programme is available to all Kodak Lens Vision Centres,
together with its training centre in Gloucester.
Optometry Giving Sight
Optical charity Optometry Giving Sight is grateful to
Independents Day organisers, PTR for once again providing
a stand space at the event’s exhibition. First launched in
the UK in 2003, Optometry Giving Sight is the only global
Topcon
Instrument company Topcon has launched more than 10 new
products this year and many of these will be showcased at
Independents Day. Some of the new items include Topcon’s
first practice management system, i-Clarity, which is billed to
revolutionise the optometric IT sector with its intuitive user
interface; and the latest 3D OCT-2000 scanner, capable of
capturing 50K scans per second. Approved by the ENSPDR,
this next generation fundus camera has more functions
designed for all levels of ophthalmic professionals.
• Independents Day will take place on Monday July 4 at
the National Motorcycle Museum, Birmingham. For more
information visit www.independentsday.co.uk

CET CONTINUING
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
1 FREE CET POINT
Approved for: Optometrists 4 Dispensing Opticians 4
OT CET content supports Optometry Giving Sight
Having trouble signing in to take an exam?
View CET FAQ Go to www.optometry.co.uk
32
01/07/11 CET
Visual impairment
support
REFERRal REFINEmENT PaRT 7 COuRsE COdE: C-16469 O/d
dr michael Crossland Phd mCOptom FaaO
People with visual impairment may need help from many health and social care
disciplines, including optometrists, dispensing opticians, rehabilitation workers,
counsellors, social workers, teachers of those who are visually impaired, and
ophthalmologists. Optometrists and dispensing opticians are ideally placed
to ensure that their patients with low vision have been made aware of each
of these services, and to refer patients to different agencies as needed. This
article discusses the role of the different professions who work with people
with visual impairment, and the referral pathways available to practitioners.
low vision aids
Many optical low vision aids can be
effectively prescribed and managed by
community optometrists and dispensing
opticians. Most practices will have a
selection of simple hand and stand
magnifiers available for sale, and all
optometrists should be comfortable
with prescribing high near additions for
people with reduced near visual acuity
(VA). However, for more complex or
expensive devices, referral to a specialist
low vision clinic may be appropriate. In
most hospital low vision clinics, optical
Figure 1
Monomouse CCTV plugged into a standard
television (left) and Optelec ClearView+ (right)
aids are supplied on a permanent loan
system without cost to the patient. For
expensive devices such as monocular
telescopes (which cost around £150)
referral may be warranted so that patients
do not have to pay for these systems
themselves. Many hospital clinics now
employ Eye Clinic Liaison Officers
(ECLOs) to signpost and refer people
with visual impairment to other services.
In some parts of the country there are
primary care low vision services. Most
impressively, the Wales Low Vision
Scheme has accredited more than 170
optometrists and provides low vision
services in 183 practices in and around
Wales. Low vision aids are paid for by
the Primary Health Care division of the
Welsh Assembly and issued on loan
at no charge to the patient. Another
model is the South Essex scheme,
where the hospital eye service pays
local optometrists to perform low vision
assessments and supply low vision aids.
For more complex low vision aids
such as spectacle mounted telescopes
or prismatic field expanders, referral
For the latest CET visit www.optometry.co.uk/cet
to a specialist low vision clinic may
be useful. These clinics may be offered
through the hospital eye service, a local
university optometry department, or
a local community practitioner with
a specialist interest in low vision.
CCTVs and electronic low vision aids
It is not practical for most optometric
practices to have a large selection of
electronic low vision aids to demonstrate
to patients. Specialist low vision centres
will often only have one desktop CCTV,
one portable electronic magnifier, and
one television based magnifier (eg, the
Monomouse, on the left of Figure 1)
for demonstration. In order for people
with low vision to choose the most
suitable electronic magnifier for them,
practitioners should have details of the
local resource centre for demonstration
of many different electronic magnifiers.
Action for Blind People and Royal
National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
resource centres exist in several large
English cities and offer a variety of
electronic magnifiers and advice on other
assistive technology solutions such as
computer text enlargement software and
electronic readers. Similarly, there are
RNIB resource centres in Scotland and
Northern Ireland. Local charities, such
as the Cardiff Institute for the Blind and
Surrey Association for Visual Impairment,
also have resource centres that can
demonstrate low vision aids. Some device
manufacturers will also demonstrate
aids to people with visual impairment.
A further resource for people with
visual impairment is Sight Village. This
is a trade show that takes place in several
British cities where manufacturers
demonstrate the latest electronic low
vision aids. It is worth warning people that
these exhibitions can be extremely busy.
The Macular Disease Society
website and publications frequently
include details of second-hand

CCTVs for sale. Such devices can
also occasionally be found available
on eBay and other internet sites.
Non-optical aids
A huge variety of non-optical aids are
available for people with sight difficulties.
These can help with many activities of
33
daily living and include talking watches,
large print diaries, speaking kitchen
scales, high contrast chopping boards,
large button telephones, and large print
Figure 2
The Low Vision Leaflet
Scrabble sets. Many local resource
centres will offer these devices for sale,
or they can be ordered through the RNIB
by telephone, mail or online. Local
social services also offer non-optical
aids to people who are referred to them.
Talking and large print books and
newspapers are available through local
libraries and bookshops, through the
Calibre audio library, and through
the RNIB library. People who are
registered as severely sight impaired
are able to obtain free postage on
large print books through the Royal
Mail Articles for the Blind scheme.
social support
Each local authority is obliged to offer
a support service for people with
disabilities, including those with visual
impairment. Depending on the borough
or county, these services may be provided
through the council social services
team or through a specialist sensory
whereas others will only discuss the use
of lighting and will not supply lamps.
If needed, people referred to local
sensory teams should receive a home
visit to enable discussion of lighting,
demonstration of non-optical aids,
mobility training, advice on benefits
and welfare rights, advice on computer
training, and emotional support.
Although some people may require
all of these services, at the time of
referral people with visual impairment
may not require any additional help.
Most local authorities will allow referral
to social services by many different routes,
including GP referral, self-referral, and
referral from friends or family members.
A method of ensuring that these services
are offered to people with visual problems
is the low vision leaflet (Figure 2). It is
recommended that practitioners obtain
details of the local sensory impairment
teams in the areas where they work.
Contact details can be obtained from
and mobility training is the sensory
impairment team at the local council.
Guide dogs can be suitable for
people with severe visual impairment
that makes travelling dangerous or
impossible. There is no minimum or
maximum age requirement for using a
guide dog and it is not necessary to be
registered as sight impaired or severely
sight impaired. People interested in
discussing whether a guide dog would
be suitable for them should contact the
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
People registered as sight impaired are
entitled to assistance with travel costs
such as the disabled person’s railcard
(which allows 1/3 off rail fares for the
holder and an accompanying person),
a local bus pass or Freedom Pass. Local
taxi costs or dial-a-ride schemes may
also be available. In Scotland the scheme
is more generous, with free train travel
offered to people who are registered.
01/07/11 CET
impairment team or visual impairment
the local council or the RNIB helpline.
leisure activities
team. Professionals who provide these
Audio-described theatre performances
assessments include specialist social
Orientation and mobility
are available in most large cities.
workers, rehabilitation workers, and
Visual impairment is strongly associated
The VocalEyes organisation provides
occupational therapists. Some areas
with a higher risk of falling. To overcome
details of performances that it audio-
have contracted these services to other
this, orientation and mobility training
describes
(www.vocaleyes.co.uk).
agencies such as charities. In the author’s
can be provided with and without aids
This organisation also performs
experience these services vary widely
such as a symbol cane, long cane or
audio description of museum
between different areas in terms of quality,
guide dog. Mobility training can also
exhibitions and other artistic events.
efficiency and scope of services offered. As
help with memorising routes, public
Films with audio description are
an example, some boroughs will provide
transport, and safe indoor navigation.
common and are listed on the website
task lighting for people with poor vision
A first point of contact for orientation
www.yourlocalcinema.com. In addition
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the Cinema Exhibitors Association offers
a card that entitles people with visual
impairment to take an accompanying
person free of charge, to act as a guide and
to audio describe scenes if needed. Many
theatres, concert venues and festivals may
allow a sighted guide to attend events free
of charge with a visually impaired person.
Many Premier League football
grounds and other sporting venues
provide seats specifically for visually
impaired supporters. These may
include headsets for audio commentary,
space for accompanying people, and
unobstructed views of the pitch.
Emotional support
Depression is more common amongst
people with visual impairment than in
the general population and optometrists
and dispensing opticians working in low
vision may find their patients request
advice over counselling services or other
support for depression. People may be
reluctant to volunteer that they are feeling
depressed, so provision of some leaflets
on counselling services where they
can be accessed by patients is advised.
Counselling services and emotional
support may be provided through the
local social services department, through
local charities for the visually impaired
and through national agencies. Both the
RNIB and Macular Disease Society offer
telephone counselling services to people
with visual impairment and people close
to them (see resources section below).
Local groups for people with visual
impairment may provide peer support
and emotional help. The website www.
visionary.org.uk identifies local groups.
Web forums such as those hosted by
the RNIB can also be a useful source of
support, especially for teenagers and
people of working age. Of course, if the
practitioner is seriously concerned that
any of their patients has severe mental
health needs then GP referral is indicated.
Educational support
Practitioners must not forget that
children and students could also suffer
from visual impairment and will require
educational support too. It is beyond
the scope of this article to discuss at
length the management of such patients,
but many professionals are involved
in supporting the education of people
of school age with visual impairment.
This includes Qualified Teachers of
the Visually Impaired, Peripatetic
Teachers, Learning Support Assistants
and Special Educational Needs Coordinators.
A comprehensive resource
for children with visual impairment
and their carers is the National
Blind Children’s Society website.
Many local and national charities
provide training for people with
visual impairment in computer
use and other tasks. In addition
the RNIB Loughborough College
provides further education and adult
education on a whole range of subjects.
Employment support
The government's “Access to Work”
scheme provides support for people with
sight impaired
Local travel benefits (eg. local bus pass,
London Freedom Pass, taxi cards)
Protection under the Disability
Discrimination Act
Disabled persons railcard
Help with telephone line rental costs
Cinema exhibitors association Ecard
Help for the digital TV switchover
Free BT directory enquiries
a disability who are in employment,
self-employed or about to start work and
who have difficulty in part of their job.
Depending on the size of the employer
and the length of time the employee has
been there, Access to Work may fund all
or part of the cost of adaptive technology
(such as screen reader software or larger
monitors), fares to and from work,
awareness training for work colleagues,
and support workers at work. The first
port of call for anyone requiring Access
to Work help is the local Jobcentre Plus.
Under the Equality Act 2010, the
employers of people who are (or could be)
registered as sight impaired or severely
sight impaired must make ‘reasonable
adjustments’ to help their employees.
These adjustments may include allowing
time off to attend hospital appointments,
re-allocating some duties to a colleague,
or providing a larger screen monitor. If
people feel that their employer does not
make reasonable adjustments, or that
they are being discriminated against at
work because of their visual impairment,
they can contact the Equality and
Human Rights Commission, the RNIB,
or a Citizens Advice Bureau. The RNIB
has a specialist employment helpline.
severely sight impaired
as sight impaired plus:
Blind person’s personal tax allowance
Blue badge for car parking
Half-price TV licence
Half-price TV licence
Table 1
Some benefits of registration as sight impaired and severely sight impaired
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Financial support
People who are registered as severely
sight impaired may be entitled to
various state benefits including
disability living allowance, attendance
allowance, carers allowance, tax credits,
pension credit, housing benefit and
council tax allowance. As entitlement
to benefits is complex (and applying for
one benefit may reduce the eligibility
for another benefit), specialist advice
is wise. Citizens Advice Bureau,
the RNIB, and local charities for
people with sight impairment are
suitable sources of information.
Some charities will also award grants
for equipment such as CCTVs or other
assistive devices that are not otherwise
paid for. Local charities such as Lions
and Rotary Clubs will occasionally
give funding to people with visual
impairment to buy equipment. On
occasion, optometrists may be asked to
write letters of support for these grants
and to give details about the nature of the
visual impairment. Of course, written
consent must be obtained from patients
before providing this information.
For people who were in the armed
forces, the St Dunstan’s charity
offers considerable help and will
frequently fund the cost of electronic
aids and other devices. They will also
provide low vision assessments and
rehabilitation work for eligible people.
medical support
The person with low vision may well
need further referral to ophthalmology
for registration as sight impaired,
assessment for new treatment, and/
or because of disease progression.
Optometrists may also realise that their
patient may require the input of other
medical services such as audiology,
paediatrics, care of the elderly, or
falls teams. Apart from in emergency
cases, a letter to the GP to suggest
Task Resource Provider and referral mechanism
Optical low
vision aids
Electronic low
vision aids
Non-optical
aids
Home
assessment
mobility
support
Hospital low vision clinic
Local specialist optometrist /primary
care low vision scheme
University low vision clinic
Action for Blind / RNIB resource centre
Other charity resource centre
Manufacturers
Sight village exhibition
Local resource centre
RNIB
Local social services
Local and national charities
Local social services
Mobility training
Guide dogs
GP referral
Varies
Varies
Self-referral
Varies
Self-referral
Self-referral
Self-referral
Phone
Catalogue
Online
Table 2
Resources and referral mechanisms for people with visual impairment
Low vision leaflet
CVI/RVI
Self-referral
Self-referral
Low vision leaflet
CVI/RVI
Self-referral
Local social services (Low vision leaflet;
CVI/RVI; Self-referral)
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
social support Reduced price cinema tickets Cinema Exhibitors Association
Emotional
support
Educational
support
Employment
support
Financial
support
medical support
Telephone counselling services
Peer support
Formal counselling services
Educational advice
Courses for people with visual
impairment
Access to Work scheme
Equality act protection
Benefits advice
Charitable grants
Ophthalmology, Care of the elderly
Paediatrics, Falls teams, Mental health
services
Macular disease society, RNIB
Local charities
Mental health services (GP referral)
National blind children’s society
RNIB College
Royal National College for the Blind,
Hereford
Jobcentre plus
Equality and human rights commission
Citizens Advice Bureaux, RNIB, Action for
Blind People
Local or national charities
GP referral
35
01/07/11 CET
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referral to such teams is often sufficient.
At present, registration as sight
impaired (formerly known as
partially sighted) or severely sight
impaired (previously called blind)
can only be performed by a consultant
ophthalmologist. Contrary to popular
belief amongst our profession, consultants
on the new consultant contract do not
receive any additional payment for this
work. Registration is performed using a
Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI).
Benefits of registration are summarised
in Table 1. It should be noted that
registration isn’t a requirement for
social services assessment, which can
be arranged through self-referral or the
low vision leaflet (Figure 2). The biggest
financial benefit of being registered
severely sight impaired is the blind
person’s personal tax allowance, which
is worth £1,890 and can be transferred to
a partner if the registered person does not
have sufficient income to benefit from
this allowance. Other important benefits
of registration are protection under the
equalities act, local travel benefits (such
as taxi cards and the Freedom Pass in
London), and a blue badge for parking
when driven in someone else’s car.
The low vision leaflet
For access to social services,
optometrists and dispensing opticians
can give people a low vision leaflet and
ask them to return this to their local
council (Figure 2). This leaflet can be
obtained from the local council offices
or downloaded from the Department of
Health website (http://www.dh.gov.uk/
en/Healthcare/Primarycare/Optical/
DH_4074843). An alternative referral
method for practitioners working
in hospital clinics is the Referral of
Vision Impairment form (RVI). This
is designed for people who require
intervention from social services but
who are not eligible for CVI registration,
or who choose not to be registered;
indeed, it should be remembered that
not all patients who have a visual
impairment need to register, with
this being a completely free choice.
Conclusions
People with visual impairment
may need referral to many different
professions and agencies. Table 2
summarises the various resources and
referral routes available to practitioners.
All optometrists and dispensing
opticians should have information
about their local sensory teams, details
of their local voluntary organisations for
the visually impaired and information
for national charities for people
with visual impairment such as the
Macular Disease Society and the RNIB.
about the author
Dr Michael Crossland is a specialist
optometrist at Moorfields Eye
Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and a
Research Fellow at the UCL Institute
of Ophthalmology. He qualified as an
optometrist in 1999 and was awarded a
PhD for work on the Preferred Retinal
Locus in Macular Disease in 2004. He
has published over 25 peer-reviewed
papers in the area of low vision and
vision rehabilitation. His current
research is funded by the National
Institute for Health Research. He thanks
his colleagues Caroline Beebee, Jay
Varia and Katy Barnard for advice and
helpful discussion regarding this paper.
Resources and references
See http://www.optometry.co.uk
clinical/index. Click on the article title
and then download "references".
module questions
Course code: C-16469 O/d
1. In hospital clinics, EClO stands for:
(a) Enhanced clinical liaison officer
(b) Eye clinic liaison officer
(c) Eye certification and licensing officer
(d) Eye council liaison officer
PlEasE NOTE There is only one correct answer. all CET is now FREE. Enter online. Please complete online by
midnight on July 29 2011 - You will be unable to submit exams after this date – answers to the module will be
published on www.optometry.co.uk. CET points for these exams will be uploaded to Vantage on august 8 2011.
4. Counselling for people with visual impairment is offered by:
(a) Local social services
(b) The RNIB
(c) The Macular Disease Society
(d) All of the above
2. attendance allowance may be claimed by people with visual
impairment:
(a) Regardless of their registration status
(b) If registered as severely sight impaired but not if registered as sight
impaired
(c) Only if registered as either severely sight impaired or sight impaired
(d) Only if they are registered as disabled
3. Which of the following statements about the monomouse is
TRuE?
(a) It is a computerised text enlargement system
(b) It is a portable text enlargement system
(c) It is a text enlargement system which plugs into a television
(d) It is an electronic text-to-speech reading device
5. Which of the following statements about the access to Work scheme is
FalsE?
(a) In some circumstances it will fund travel to and from work
(b) It is not available to people who are self-employed
(c) The local Jobcentre Plus is a point of contact for information
(d) It may pay towards the cost of a larger computer monitor
6. Which of the following statements about the low Vision leaflet is TRuE?
(a) It can only be completed for people registered as sight impaired or severely
sight impaired
(b) It is produced and distributed by the RNIB
(c) It can only be completed by a hospital optometrist
(d) It is sent to the local social services department
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Vision standards for driving
– the evidence base
COuRsE COdE C-16307 O/d
sharifa Hirani Bsc (Hons), Msc, MCOptom, RMN
The UK government stipulates that “before you start to learn to drive,
make sure you are aware of the eyesight requirements. If you need glasses
or corrective lenses to meet the requirements, it is a legal requirement
that you wear them every time you drive.” 1 Optometrists and dispensing
opticians are frequently asked by patients whether they need to wear
spectacles when driving. This article reviews the relevant research in this
area and aims to help eye care practitioners to answer these questions.
Current vision standards for
driving
Driving is recognised to be a visually
intensive task, which is set with
a minimum legal visual standard
requirement for all motorists. 2 Since
January 1983, the European Commission
has laid down the definitive visual
standards for driving licence holders
and this has been incorporated into
UK law. 3 The law states that for Group
1 drivers (car and other light vehicles),
the driver should be able to read in good
light (with the aid of glasses or contact
lenses if worn) a registration mark
fixed to a motor vehicle and containing
letters and figures 79mm wide at a
distance of 20.5m, or at a distance of
20m where the characters are 50mm
wide. If a licence holder or applicant
is suffering with a prescribed disability
and is unable to meet the eyesight
requirements, they must not drive. 3
The law also stipulates a minimum
standard for a second group of licences
incorporating large good vehicles (LGV)
and passenger carrying vehicles (PCV)
(including public service vehicles -
PSV). These Group 2 drivers are subject
to more stringent and specific monocular
visual acuity (VA) standards. 2 Since
1997, Group 2 drivers are required
to have an uncorrected VA of at least
3/60 in each eye and, with refractive
correction worn, at least 6/9 in their
better eye and 6/12 in their worse eye. 4
From January 2011, new legislation
was introduced in the European Union
(EU), which will come into full force
in all EU countries by 2013, requiring
driving licences to carry details of
drivers’ sight correction requirements. 5
Under this directive, drivers will
be categorised into two groups:
• Private licence holders with corrected
VA of at least 6/12 (0.5 decimal)
or 6/10 (0.6 decimal) if only one
eye is functioning, and horizontal
visual fields of a minimum 120°.
• Professional drivers with corrected
VA of at least 6/7 (0.86 decimal) with
binocular vision, and VA in the worst
eye of at least 6/12 (0.5). A restriction
will also apply if the refractive
correction exceeds -8.00DS (-8.75DS
spectacle refraction if contact lenses
are worn), and the uncorrected vision
must be at least 6/20 (0.3 decimal). 5
It is clear from this directive that
there will be an increased reliance on
VA as a measure of one’s visual ability
to drive, but do current optometric
practices make VA testing amenable
to visual standards for driving?
Evidence base for driving
vision standards
VA is perhaps the most commonly
tested visual function in relation to
driving. 6 Literature has shown that there
is a longstanding disparity between
VA measured in optometric practice
and the vision standard stipulated by
law, even though it is recognised that
the “number plate test” is absolute in
law and not open to interpretation. 4
It has been suggested that vision
comprises 90-95% of the sensory input
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to driving, without any direct evidence. 7
As driving is now an integral part of
daily activities and a key factor in
maintaining independence it is essential
that vision standards for driving be
justified to strong empirical evidence. 6
38
01/07/11 CET
Visual acuity
There is no precise critical Snellen
chart VA equivalent to the numberplate
standard. A popularly referenced
comparison of the British number plate
and Snellen vision/VA tests for car
drivers was conducted by Drasdo and
Haggerty. 8 Calculations based on a sample
of candidates who had failed the number
plate test suggest that a driving test
candidate with a Snellen decimal VA of
0.55, or approximately 6/12+2 in clinical
notation, has a 50% chance of passing
the number plate test. However, the level
of VA that would fail the same number
of candidates as the number plate test is
deduced from an approximate population
model to be 0.6 decimal or 6/9-2 Snellen.
Currie et al. 9 considered 50 people
with a Snellen binocular VA of 6/9 and
50 people with a Snellen binocular
VA of 6/12, all of whom could read a
number plate at 20.5 metres. All people
were recruited prospectively from
ophthalmology clinics as having some
form of eye disease and had a mean
age of 78 years, which is not unlike an
average patient seen in an everyday
optometric practice. Thirteen out of
the 50 participants with binocular VA
of 6/9 could not read the number plate
but 17 out of the 50 participants in the
group with VA of 6/12 could read the
number plate. Based on these results,
the authors felt that people with vision/
best-corrected VA of 6/9 or less should
be warned that they may fail to meet
the visual standard for driving but those
with vision/best-corrected VA of 6/12
should not be assumed to be below
the standard. They also recommended
that for people with binocular Snellen
VA of 6/9 or less inquiring about their
eligibility to drive, the only correct
response is “I don’t know” unless the
health professional tests their ability
to read an actual number plate outside.
Character composition
Kiel et al. 10 considered whether the
character composition of a number
plate and the background colour would
affect the ease with which they are read.
They found that there is a significant
difference based on variations in the
letter and numeral composition. In their
study of 210 subjects who achieved a
binocular Snellen VA of between 6/9
and 6/12, 92.3% could read all of the
number plates assessed in the study, at
the legal distance. Of the three number
plates that they assessed, 96.7 % could
read at least one number plate at the legal
distance whilst 3.3% of the test subjects
could not read any of the three number
plates, at the standard distance of 20.5
metres. The authors propose that a
possible explanation for the discrepancy
between Snellen VA and the calculated
theoretical level of acuity required may
relate to the fact that subjects reading a
number plate have a possible choice of
26 letters and 10 numbers (1-in-36 or
2.8%) chance of a correct guess, whereas
those reading a Snellen chart only have a
presumed choice of 26 letters (1-in-26 or
3.8%) chance ie, there is a greater chance
of correct guessing when measuring
Snellen acuity, which could actually
lead to an over-estimation of true VA.
Environmental factors
It has also been thought that VA
measurements in a consulting room
may not correspond to the ability of an
individual to read the standard vehicle
number plate at the roadside, due to
differing conditions of light, glare and
contrast, and may therefore be very
misleading. 8 The unreliability of Snellen
VA measurement in predicting the
outcome of the “number plate test” has
also been recognised and supported by
the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. 3
This is perhaps because Snellen VA
is measured with high contrast static
optotypes, very unlike natural conditions
of the “number plate test”, making Snellen
VA a poor predictor of a person’s ability
to meet the legal driving standard. 9 VA is
evaluated under high contrast and high
luminance conditions, whereas driving
encompasses wide ranging contrast and
luminance levels, 11 including overcast
cloudy days and night driving, as well
as the actual cleanliness of the car/plate.
Contrast sensitivity
McGwin et al. 12 showed that there is a
pattern of difficulty in high-risk driving
situations among those with decreased
VA and contrast sensitivity, even after
adjustments for age, gender, weekly
mileage, and cognitive impairment.
Although contrast sensitivity is not
assessed in determination of driving
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safely, it does bear strong relevance.
Studies of patients with cataracts have
shown that contrast sensitivity may be
significantly reduced with only a modest
accompanying reduction in VA and yet
no attempt has been made to measure the
contrast sensitivity function within the
current DVLA standards. 13,14 Freeman 15
suggests that research is needed to devise
criteria to establish guidelines correlated
to visual-related driving risk assessment.
Visual field
The UK’s Royal College of
Ophthalmologists 3 has recommended
that: “The minimum visual field for
safe driving is a field of vision of at
least 120° on the horizontal meridian
measured by Goldmann perimetry
using the III4e setting (or equivalent
perimetry). In addition there should
be no significant field defect in the
binocular field which encroaches
within 20° of fixation either above or
below the horizontal meridian. By these
means, homonymous or bi-temporal
defects that came close to fixation,
whether hemianopic or quadrantonopic,
are not accepted as safe for driving.
Isolated scotomata in the binocular
field near to the central fixation may
also be inconsistent with safe driving”.
The first large-scale population-based
assessment of visual field impairment
and driver safety was conducted by
Johnson and Keltner. 16 They reported
that drivers with severe binocular field
loss had significantly higher motor
vehicle collision and violation rates
compared to those without any field
loss. Drivers with monocular visual field
loss had similar rates of accidents and
driving convictions as compared to those
with full visual fields. In comparison,
those drivers with bilateral visual field
a study by Owsley et al. 17 which found
that the risk of having an injurious motor
vehicle collision was more than double
for drivers with visual field impairment.
In the UK, the visual field requirements
for driving are often assessed with the
Esterman program. The test generates
an overall score that is weighted
towards visual ability in the central and
inferior field. 2 As the test is binocular,
fixation cannot be monitored; in
recognition of this, the Royal College of
Ophthalmologists state that “a perimetrist
should be present with the patient at
all times during the test”. 3 Kotecha
et al. 2 noted well that in practice this
simply serves to emphasise the inherent
differences between the Esterman test
and the monocular visual field tests upon
which the evidence for impaired driving
ability is based. Case selection is also
raised as an issue since the Esterman test
is most often carried out at the request of
the DVLA following a driver declaration
of a pathology that may affect the visual
field, as opposed to a routine assessment
in the larger general population.
Steel et al. 18 suggested that when the
adequacy of a patient’s visual field is
being assessed, the standard does not
specify if spectacles should be worn
or not, and they felt that this was an
unrealistic situation because spectacles
are required to meet the VA requirement
and yet can restrict the peripheral field
of vision, based on frame style and
magnification effects. Indeed, spectacle
The future
The current visual standard for driving
is retained mainly because of the
practicality for roadside testing by the
driver him/herself or by the police. 1
Having said this, the majority of drivers
continue to have a poor appreciation
of the UK driving vision standard. 19 In
addition, healthcare professionals find
the criteria confusing. The level of VA
at which optometrists, opticians, and
ophthalmologists advise people against
driving ranges from 6/9-2 to less than
6/18. 9 In the short-term, the low cost,
widespread acceptance, and availability
of static VA and perimetric measures
justifies their use but other tests should
be developed to aid correct determination
of one’s visual ability to drive, so that
appropriate allocation of who can
retain their licences can be performed. 20
The importance of considering
contrast sensitivity as part of the
vision assessment for driving has been
mentioned earlier in this article. Indeed,
Owsley 11 reported that several studies
have established that older adults have
impaired contrast sensitivity under
photopic conditions at intermediate
and high spatial frequencies, with the
magnititude of deficit increasing with
increasing spatial frequency. Therefore,
could it be reasonable to expect differing
driving standards to be introduced
for differing stages of life (ie, varying
by age)? Renewal of driving licences
is currently conducted using a self
reporting scheme at the age of 70 years
and though research has shown that
aging affects vision, driving standards
are not adapted in accordance with this.
VA tests were originally designed for the
clinical diagnosis and monitoring of eye
disease and do not by themselves reflect
the complexity of the driving task. 11
39
01/07/11 CET
loss had twice the rate of accidents and
convictions compared to those with no
frames can, and frequently do, cause
visual field defects that may artificially
Conclusion
field loss. This finding was re-affirmed in
affect a driver’s fitness to drive. 18
The literature reviewed in this article
Find out when CET points will be uploaded to Vantage at www.optometry.co.uk/cet/vantage-dates

CET CONTINUING
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
1 FREE CET POINT
Approved for: Optometrists 4 Dispensing opticians 4
OT CET content supports Optometry Giving Sight
For the latest CET visit www.optometry.co.uk/cet
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View CET FAQ Go to www.optometry.co.uk
40
suggests that VA standards for driving
are inconclusive, and therefore
optometrists ought to advise patients
that they are obliged to follow the
guidelines of the DVLA. 4 Future
EU directives will make vision
standards clearer and collaboration
between the Department of Transport
and the College of Optometrists
for a larger scale quantitative study
that leads to thorough evidencebased
guidelines for optometrists
to use in practice will be welcome.
About the author
Sharifa Hirani is an optometrist at
Brown and Wenman Ltd, in Dunstable
and a clinic supervisor at Anglia Ruskin
University. She is also a registered
nurse with a MSc in Neuroscience
and currently is in her second year
of the Doctorate of Optometry.
References
See http://www.optometry.co.uk
clinical/index. Click on the article title
and then download “references”.
Module questions
Course code: C-16307 O/d
01/07/11 CET
1. Which of the following statements about the legal visual
standards for driving licence holders is TRuE?
(a) UK law stipulated the definitive maximum standards in January 1983
(b) The European Commission stipulated definitive minimum standards in
January 1983
(c) The DVLA stipulated definitive minimum standards in January 1983
(d) UK law stipulated definitive minimum standards in January 1997
2. For Group 1 licence holders, drivers should be able to read (with
glasses or contact lenses if worn):
(a) Characters 79mm wide at a distance of 20.5m or 50mm wide at a
distance of 20m
(b) Characters 79mm wide at a distance of 20m or 50mm wide at a distance
of 20.5m
(c) Characters 25mm wide at a distance of 20m
(d) Characters 7.9mm wide at a distance of 20.5 m or 5.0mm wide at a
distance of 20m
3. Which of the following is the CORRECT VA standard for Group 2
licence holders?
(a) Uncorrected vision at least 3/60 in each eye, corrected VA at least 6/9 in
the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye
(b) Uncorrected vision at least 6/60 in each eye, corrected VA at least 6/9 in
the better eye and 6/12 in the worse eye
(c) Uncorrected vision at least 3/60 in each eye, corrected VA at least 6/9 in
the better eye and 6/12 in the worse eye
(d) Uncorrected vision at least 1/60 in each eye, corrected VA at least 6/9 in
the better eye and 6/18 in the worse eye
4. drasdo and Haggerty suggested that a driver with snellen VA of
approximately 6/12+2 has:
(a) 50% chance of passing the number plate test
(b) 60% chance of failing the number plate test
(c) 60% chance of passing the number plate test
(d) 58% chance of failing the number plate test
5. Currie et al. found that of 50 patients with 6/9 vision:
(a) 26% failed the number plate test
(b) 34% failed the number plate test
(c) 26% passed the number plate test
(d) 34% passed the number plate test
6. Compared to drivers with monocular visual field loss, drivers with
severe binocular visual field loss were reported to have:
(a) Significantly higher motor vehicle collision and violation rates
(b) Significantly lower motor vehicle collision and violation rates
(c) Only slightly higher motor vehicle collision and violation rates
(d) The same number of motor vehicle collision and violation rates
PLEAsE NOTE There is only one correct answer. All CET is now FREE. Enter online.
Please complete online by midnight on July 29 2011 - You will be unable to
submit exams after this date – answers to the module will be published on www.
optometry.co.uk. CET points for these exams will be uploaded to Vantage on
August 8 2011.
For the latest CET visit www.optometry.co.uk/cet

JOBS
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For more details contact Jim
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TECHNICAL
ADVISOR/SUPPORT
DISPENSING OPTICIAN
Head Office, Wiltshire
OPTICAL ASSISTANTS &
DISPENSING OPTICIANS
Nationwide including
Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds
42 50
Optometrist Project Manager
17/09/10 01/07/11 RECRUITMENT
JOBS
KTP Associate with BBR Optometry Limited
£25,000 to £31,000 (dependent on experience) plus
£6,000 individual training budget and opportunity
to study for a PhD
3 year fixed term contract
BBR Optometry is an independent privately owned primary care optometry
practice. They have partnered with Aston University on this project to develop
a business model based on patient pathways and outcomes for enhanced
primary ophthalmic care provision and revenue streams in commercial
optical practices.
This project is an exciting opportunity for you to develop and hone clinical
competences that might take the average optometrist many years to develop.
You should have a minimum 2:1 BSc (Hons) degree in Optometry and be a
General Optical Council registered UK Optometrist, ideally with clinical
experience post registration.
You should be confident, persuasive and a good communicator at all levels.
You will be employed by Aston University but will be based at BBR Optometry
in Hereford. Please note the successful applicant will be required to undertake
a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) disclosure.
Please visit our website http://www.aston.ac.uk/jobs for further
information and to apply online. If you do not have access to the
internet telephone 0121-359-0870 quoting reference number:
R110227
Closing date: Midnight GMT 17th July 2011.
Interview date: 18th August 2011.
‘Quality and Equality’
www.aston.ac.uk
Optometrist
Full Time
Suit Newly Qualified
London E5
rob@roseopticians.com
07900552511
Specsavers Opticians
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Contact Michael or John on 028 3835 0400
Optometrist - Cardiff
(1 permanent post; also some
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DO/Trainee DO; Optical Assistants
Required for new independent practice in
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Flexible working hours can be considered.
Please apply in confidence by email to
cardiffoptician@hotmail.co.uk

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How D.O. You Measure Up??
Are you passionate about your job?
Do you work well in a team environment?
Do you care about the patients behind the sales figures?
Are you nevertheless commercially aware?
Do you want a satisfying job where your voice matters?
Do you want a job that can develop as you do?
Do you like to learn new skills and help with staff training?
If so, why not see how we measure up?
We are looking for an enthusiastic experienced DO with
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Andrew Matheson DipTp(SP & IP) DipOC FCOptom FAAO
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01962 736693(weekdays) 01962 771301 (eves) 01962 736877 (fax)
www.matheson-optometrists.com
We often have places for pre-reg optometrists/DOs available

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PRE-REGISTRATION OPTOMETRIST AMAR-KAASH GANDECHA DIAGNOSED
A MACULAR HOLE AND ALSO HELPED TO IMPROVE THE EDUCATION OF AN
EIGHT YEAR OLD, BUT FOR HIM IT’S ALL IN A DAY’S WORK AT OPTICAL EXPRESS
INSPIRED by his optometrist aunt,
Amar-Kaash knew from a young
age that he wanted to become an
optometrist. His favourite subjects
at school were Maths and Science,
and after gaining three A’s at
A-Level, Amar-Kaash went on to
gain a BSc (Hons) Optometry from
Aston University. Now Amar-Kaash
(22) is a pre-registration optometrist
with Optical Express in Leicester.
Here he describes his current
working life:
What does your day involve?
The great thing about my role is that
I never know what challenges I can
expect for the coming day. Every
morning before we open the store,
opticalexpress.com
we have a team meeting in which
we all discuss how the previous day
went and how we can improve to
make today an even better one.
As a pre-registration optometrist,
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glasses dispensing. Every day my
duties are varied, which I find
exciting. Patient appointments are
based around my clinic diary, which
has been specifically designed to
allow me a reasonable amount of
time to carry out tasks based on
my modest level of experience.
The extra time in the diary has
helped to build my clinical
knowledge and skills.
What’s your favourite part of
your role?
Meeting new, interesting people
daily keeps my role varied and
exciting. Everyone needs an eye
test. I’ve carried out eye
examinations for actors, teachers
and plumbers to name a few.
My confidence has grown through
interacting with and advising
different people.
What do you think differentiates
Optical Express from other
optical providers?
The amount of support I have
received from the staff members at
my store, and also colleagues in
senior roles within the company

JOBS
have been amazing. The company is
large, yet through training courses,
discussing complex cases and
receiving new marketing materials
for the store I feel I know many
people who work throughout the
UK for Optical Express. The training
I have been given has helped me to
do well in all my assessments, and
the support of an excellent
Optical Express supervisor stands
me in good stead to become an
excellent optometrist.
As Optical Express is the UK’s
largest provider of laser eye
surgery I have the option of further
training, once I’ve qualified, to
become involved with laser eye
surgery and enhance my
knowledge in the largest growing
area of the optical sector.
To place an advertisement call 020 7878 2313
or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
explained to me how her daughter’s
school work had shown a significant
improvement since she had started
wearing glasses. To know I have
positively contributed to a child’s
education makes me feel proud.
What advice would you give to
someone considering a career
in optometry?
Get some experience within the
field, it’s the best way to see if it’s
something you’ll enjoy doing
every day.
Advertisement Feature
I was lucky to have my optometrist
aunt who advised me on career
options. It was great being able to
speak with a professional about my
ambitions and hopes for the future.
Make sure you find a good
employer, someone who will
support you every step of the way
and help to keep things exciting
and varied, with the option of
progression up the career ladder.
I have found all of these qualities at
Optical Express.
53
What motivates you on a
daily basis?
Providing optometric services to the
public is a great responsibility and
makes a positive difference in an
individual’s life. From detecting
pathology to providing patients
with glasses and contact lenses,
our team has the capability to make
someone’s life more enjoyable on
a daily basis.
What qualities should you
possess to do your role?
The pre-registration period can
be a difficult time for any recently
graduated student, each individual
must be motivated to self prepare
for quarterly College of Optometrist
assessments and the final OSCE
examinations. It also helps to be
adaptable, as how you advise each
patient varies from one to another.
What do you find most
challenging about your day
to day role?
I am currently in a transition phase,
I find it challenging to implement my
knowledge of theory related
concepts to my practical sight tests.
After each sight test I perform, I
discuss the advice and management
of the patient with my supervisor
and he helps me to see where I can
improve my service to the patient.
Describe one career highlight
to date
After providing glasses to an eight
year old child, her mother came in
to thank me for my help, and
At Optical Express, our unique
approach to optical and refractive
solutions offers a challenging and
structured career pathway for our
optometrists.
Through continuous training and
development, Optical Express
optometrists are given the
opportunity to advance their
clinical skill level and broaden
their knowledge.
If you are committed to clinical
excellence, training and education
and/or commercial optometry,
we offer an opportunity, which
will satisfy all of your career
requirements.
As the only provider of the
complete range of optical solutions;
glasses, contact lenses, laser
eye surgery and intraocular lenses,
NAME
AGE 22
TITLE
LOCATION
DEGREE
FAVOURITE
EYE MYTH
AMAR-KAASH GANDECHA
PRE-REGISTRATION
OPTOMETRIST
LEICESTER
BSC (HONS) OPTOMETRY,
ASTON UNIVERSITY
EATING CARROTS MAKES YOU
SEE IN THE DARK
BEST DIAGNOSIS MACULAR HOLE,
TO DATE FEMALE (48)
Optical Express optometrists are
uniquely positioned to meet the
needs of each and every patient.
We are looking to recruit newly
qualified and experienced Optical
and Refractive Optometrists in the
following areas: Southampton,
Bournemouth, Harlow and Plymouth.
Optical Express is a global
organisation and unique in our
approach, offering very competitive
salaries and great benefits based on
location and experience.
For the first step on your new
journey, and a full list of our
vacancies please visit our website
at opticalexpress.com/careers
or contact
Edward Sweeting on
07917 350293 or email
edwardsweeting@opticalexpress.com
17/06/11 JOBS

JOBS
To place an advertisement call 020 7878 2313
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46
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01/07/11 JOBS
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