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February 11 2011 vol 51:3
optometrytoday
18
Comment
Westward Ho!
Editor-in-chief David Challinor reflects on
hopes to establish an optometry course in
the south west
News
News
Driving concern voiced
The sector has fears that proposals will lead
to more poorly sighted people on the road
Profile
Richard Petrie
Q&A with the optometrist and practice
owner
8
Launch for teen scheme
Efforts to start a scheme which highlights
optometry as a future career to 14-17 year
olds take shape 6
8
16
Interview
Professor Graham Sewell
The Plymouth University associate dean
discusses the university’s optometry aims
Industry
New collections and ranges
J K London’s new collection, plus
launches from other companies
Competitions
Crossword, and Mystery Year
Take part in our latest prize
competitions
Business profile
Chandlers Opticians
Chris Donkin profiles the south
east business
20
18
20-21
24, 26
28,30
Cover story
VRICS
8
Shades for sale
We highlight the latest sunglasses
for spring and summer stock 34-35
Contact lens aftercare and
complications
Take our latest picture quiz 38-39
Free CET
Vision dysfunction in Alzheimer’s
disease
Geoff Shayler discusses this
condition in relation to
ageing vision 41-45
Visit www.optometry.co.uk today

0151 426 3907
MIDO, Milan,
4th - 6th March,
Stand No. P21, R22,
Hall 15

NEWS
Call for Lansley meeting
OPTICAL LEADERS have
sent an open letter to
health secretary Andrew
Lansley expressing
their concerns that
the Government’s two
white papers on health
did not address eye
health or sight loss
needs.
The joint letter, signed
by the chief executives
of the College of Optometrists,
the Optical Confederation, the
RNIB and the Royal College of
Ophthalmologists, explains that
they believe optical health may
have been missed out because
of the absence of an eye health
professional on the chief medical
officer’s advisory committee
which developed the white
papers, Equity and Excellence:
Liberating the NHS and Healthy
Lives, Healthy People.
Although they fully endorse
the priorities of putting patients
first and continuously improving
healthcare outcomes as outlined,
the four chief executives point out
the cost to patients and the nation
if eye care is not addressed, and
they ask for a meeting with Mr
Lansley or public health minister
Anne Milton to discuss the
importance of bringing
eye health ‘within the
public health agenda’.
The letter states: ‘80%
of sight loss is found in
those over-60 so, given
current demographic
predictions, this figure
will only get worse over
the coming years. We
believe that the creation
of a Public Health Service
with strong links to the NHS
and Local Authorities provides
a substantial opportunity to
address the challenge to the
nation’s health that avoidable
sight loss poses.
‘If this is not a major public
health challenge for England
– and for every Health and
Wellbeing Board in the country –
it is difficult to know what is.’
Scottish roadshows launched
ROADSHOW EVENTS are being
organised to take place in
Scotland to launch the AOPauthored
document, Making
Accurate Claims in Scotland.
The booklet explains what is
required of practitioners by the
new GOS regulations.
It is written by AOP Scotland
councillor, Kevin Wallace, who
is also optometric advisor
for NHS Lothian and Borders
and chair of the Lothian Area
Optical Committee. He said:
“Practitioners will find the clear
and concise information very
helpful to allow them to use
GOS appropriately to provide
the best care for their patients.”
AOP director of legal services
Gerda Goldinger will answer
questions from delegates and
the AOP’s Scottish solicitors,
Brodies will give a presentation
on the legislative environment
in Scotland. The meetings will
be held in Perth (March 7),
Edinburgh (March 8), Aberdeen
(March 9) and Glasgow (March
10). See www.aop.org.uk
BRIEFING
Opticians asked
to help in No
Smoking Day
A campaign which highlights the
dangers of smoking has turned to the
optical sector for its support.
The No Smoking Day charity is
emphasising the health concerns to
smokers and those who come into
contact with smoking.
A spokesman for the group told OT:
“Smoking doubles the risk of sight loss
but if people quit the risk decreases
over time. One-in-five people in the
UK smokes – 63% want to quit and
No Smoking Day, which takes place on
March 9, aims to help them as with
the right NHS support people are four
times more likely to succeed.”
The charity asks optical
professionals to help by ordering a
free campaign pack which includes a
poster to place in your practice, or by
ordering leaflets and other resources
at www.nosmokingday.org.uk
Also the campaigners hope
practitioners can highlight the
damage smoking can do to sight,
and add that practices may wish to
offer promotions, such as discounted
eye examinations for patients, on No
Smoking Day itself in March.
The campaign additionally
suggests that it is placed in
optical practices marketing plans
for 2012.
“We expect that nearly a million
people will attempt to quit smoking
this No Smoking Day,” said the
spokesman, “if you would like to help
your current and potential customers
quit smoking please contact us via
our website or email mail@
nosmokingday.org.uk .”
5
11/02/11 NEWS
New Cinderella call
GP CONSORTIA have the
chance to get rid of eye
health’s “Cinderella Status”
in terms of local health
priorities, Jill Matthews,
national implementation
director for Primary Care
Improvement has said.
Speaking before her
presentation at the latest
LOCSU training and
development roadshow she
commented that vulnerable
groups must be a priority
when local health services
are commissioned, “and
that includes eye care”. She
will deliver her speech at
The Belfry (Mellor’s Way),
Nottingham on February
14. For details call Jenny
Manchester on 0791 3779049.

NEWS
optometrytoday
FEBRUARY 11 2011
VOLUME 51:3
ISSN 0268-5485
ABC CERTIFICATE OF CIRCULATION
January 1 2009 – December 31 2009
Average Net: 20,203
UK: 19,308 Other Countries: 895
Editor-in-Chief: David Challinor
T: 020 7202 8164
E: davidchallinor@optometry.co.uk
Deputy Editor:
Robina Moss
T: 020 7202 8163
E: robinamoss@optometry.co.uk
Web Editor:
Emily McCormick
T: 020 7202 8165
E: emilymccormick@optometry.co.uk
Reporter: Chris Donkin
T: 020 7202 8162
E: chrisdonkin@optometry.co.uk
OT Multimedia Editor: Laurence Derbyshire
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E: laurencederbyshire@optometry.co.uk
Clinical Editor: Dr Navneet Gupta
E: navneetgupta@optometry.co.uk
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Launch for teen
career scheme nears
A SCHEME which highlights
optometry as a future career
option to 14-17-year-olds could
be rolled out nationally in the
summer term if funding from
the optical profession is secured.
The ‘A new dimension’
workshops would initially focus
on schools with a speciality in
science and be delivered by a
network of ‘ambassadors’ from
local practices.
The plans were announced
at a meeting of the Career in
Optics Working Group at City
University, where chair Professor
David Thomson (pictured)
confirmed that the pilots, which
took place in seven schools
across the UK last year, had
been a success.
It will cost £75,000 for the
scheme to reach around
2,000 schools across the UK.
The workshops would be
incorporated into the national
curriculum and be tailored to
students in years 9-11 in the top
two sets of science.
The cost covers the delivery
of the workshops, all related
materials, the training of local
ambassadors and the building of
a dedicated website.
Companies can support the
scheme through sponsorship
packages which are available
from £1,000 upwards.
Feedback taken from pupils
seven weeks after the pilot
workshops revealed that 55%
of students would recommend
optometry as a good career
choice. Whilst 100% of the
students who took part in the
pilot said that they found the
workshops fun and engaging,
100% also said that they would
prefer less content. Comments
will be discussed before the
scheme is launched nationally.
The programme aims to
increase the quality of students
applying for optometry,
dispensing and optically-related
degrees in the future.
For more information contact
Ellen Colquhoun on careers@
college-optometrists.org
You can watch one of the
pilot workshops which took
place at Burlington Danes
Academy on OT Multimedia
at www.optometry.co.uk/
multimedia
Four nations discuss approach
THE OPTICAL negotiating teams
from the four nations of the UK
met in Glasgow at the end of
January to develop UK strategy
and to improve co-ordination
between the approaches to the
four governments.
It was facilitated by NHS
non-executive director and
barrister Judy Oliver, who spoke
on influencing the NHS at last
year’s NOC.
AOP chief executive,
Bob Hughes, who initiated
the conference, said that
it represented a vital
development for the profession.
“We know that GOS civil
servants from the four nations
co-ordinate their work on
contracts and regulations, and
we needed to develop the same
strategic approach.
“With significant advances
being made in community
optometric services in all parts
of the country, it is of great
benefit to all four negotiating
teams to appreciate what
NHS commissioners and civil
servants are looking for and
to understand any potential
pitfalls. We were also able
to share detailed knowledge
about the shape of local service
developments. We all agreed
that the four teams should meet
at least annually.”
Optometry Wales’ chief
operating officer Sali Davis
(pictured) said that the meeting
was worthwhile.
“It was such a great
opportunity to speak to
colleagues in the other nations
and share best practice, and
assure ourselves that we are
facing and dealing with the
same sort of challenges that our
colleagues are facing.
“There was a lot of positive
energy as a result of Judy’s
excellent facilitation, and
Optometry Wales now feels
revitalised to face the year
ahead.”
Comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk

Plymouth plan is unveiled
THE UNIVERSITY of Plymouth has
confirmed it is aiming to launch a
BSc (Hons) Optometry course via
its School of Health Professions.
Its plan, which will be
presented to the GOC, will utilise
its multi-professional school to
provide ‘opportunities for interdisciplinary
learning and sharing
of ideas and good practice’. The
university expects its optometry
students will be prepared for the
future roles they will undertake as
well as for current practice.
“They must be able to
communicate, to work well in
teams, be able to make decisions
and be able to take the lead when
this is demanded,” a spokesman
said. “It is important that emphasis
is placed on training optometrists
to be part of a multi-professional
team and that they understand
and appreciate the roles of others
working with them.”
Professor Graham Sewell,
head of the School of Health
Professions, said: “The course
development team is excited by
the possibilities of delivering an
optometry programme that both
meets the GOC requirements
and draws on our considerable
experience in other healthcare
professional disciplines of utilising
innovative teaching and learning
strategies, including Problem
Based Learning and Professional
Placement Learning (PPL).”
Professor Sewell is interviewed
about the plans on page 18.
Associate Professor Bernhard
Haas, added: “The curriculum has
been designed to ensure that it is
topical and will deliver effective
clinical practice experience for the
students. It is important that the
vocational aspirations of students
are realised which is why we will
be working with stakeholders
right across the south west region
to ensure that students obtain
direct experience – through
structured PPL – in a variety of
practice settings throughout
the three-year course. This is
designed to embed professional
identity from the early stages of
study and to motivate students
through encouraging reflection
on their practice experience in the
academic environment.”
Dean of Plymouth’s Faculty
of Health, Professor Richard
Stephenson (pictured)
commented: “The Faculty
is delighted to support the
development of optometry in
the south west, and values the
opportunity to work closely with
partners across the sector to
deliver what will be a innovative
programme and to collaborate in
research and enterprise directed
towards enhanced practice and
patient care.”
• See also Comment (page 8) and
‘Why we’re looking at optometry’
(page 18).
2011 off to a ‘flyer’ claims Opti
THE TRADITIONAL curtainraiser
to the optical show
calendar, Opti Munich, has
given the sector a flying
start to business this year,
its organisers have said.
A total of 22,700 people –
including former Wimbledon
tennis champion Boris
Becker, pictured – crowded
into the city’s New Trade
Fair Centre. Efforts to
make the exhibition more
international seem to be
working. One of those
attending, Neal Grimason,
sales and marketing director
for UK exhibitor Continental
Eyewear, said: “We had a great
exhibition. This year it was
most notable how many more
foreign visitors visited our
stand. On the first morning
alone we had visitors from
seven different countries.
It was also good to see
more UK visitors too. It is an
easily accessible city from
airports from the UK, the
public transport works well,
the hotels are relatively
inexpensive and the
restaurants are good. Also,
as it is the first show of the
New Year, many companies
use the show for new
product launches so there is
plenty to see.” Opti Munich
2012 will run during January
13-15 2012.
IN BRIEF
Jo Steen
Joint Head of Optometry at Oxford
Eye Hospital, Jo Steen (pictured), has
died after a long illness. She was 38.
Our web site, www.optometry.co.uk
has carried an obituary of Ms Steen
who graduated from Aston
University in 1993.
Online success
Around 25% of registrants had
completed their retention online by
January 25, compared with 10% at
the same point in the cycle last year,
the GOC heard at its latest meeting.
The registration team has received
positive feedback on the online
system from individual users and
key stakeholders. The majority of
calls from registrants have been
about technical or support issues.
Crossword winners
The winner of OT’s January crossword
is optometrist Christine Battye from
Tunbridge Wells. She wins a £50
M&S gift voucher. Also receiving a
prize is OT’s Christmas crossword
winner R Sansome from Driffield
in East Yorkshire.
Changes to byelaws
Members of the Association of
Optometrists can view changes to
its byelaws on page 57 of this issue.
MP joins open day
Taunton Deane MP Jeremy Browne
visited Earlam and Christopher
Opticians’ open day to help raise
awareness of the importance of
eye tests. Mr Browne said: “The
NHS is contracting out more of its
basic services, such as eye tests, to
community opticians. This helps
to free up hospital capacity so
specialists can focus on the most
serious cases.”
7
11/02/11 NEWS
News updated regularly at www.optometry.co.uk

8
11/02/11 NEWS
NEWS
Concerns raised over
drivers’ sight proposals
OPTICS HAS
expressed serious
concerns over
consultation proposals
on the medical
requirements for UK
drivers – and the
national press has
reported that Britain’s
roads will get more
dangerous “as eye
tests are made easier”.
Proposals will see the distance number plate
test cut, in apparent efforts to make the driving
test less robust.
The Optical Confederation claims that the
consultation, which sets out the Department of
Transport’s and DVLA’s plans for implementing
the eyesight requirements contained in the EU
Directives on driving licences, is inadequate.
The proposed changes for eyesight include
reducing the distance from which a number
plate test can be read for Group 1 drivers (cars
and motorcycles) and changes to the vision
assessment for Group 2 drivers (buses and
lorries).
A spokeswoman for the Confederation said:
“In our opinion, this is a distraction from the real
debate which should be about its abolition, and
replacement with an adequate assessment of
visual acuity and visual fields. Other European
countries such as Ireland require a more
comprehensive assessment of drivers’ vision and
a further assessment later in their driving career.”
In response
to the proposals,
Professor Steve Taylor,
professional adviser
to FODO, said: “It is
disappointing to
see that under the
proposed changes
the distance number
plate test is to be
relaxed and made
easier for those about to take their driving
test. This test dates from the 1930s and is
unreliable for a number of reasons. It is a
pity that the opportunity of the new EU
regulations was not taken to replace it with a
more standardised test.”
Jayne Rawlinson, chair of the Optical
Confederation’s driving working group said:
“We shall be calling for the number plate test
to be replaced by an appropriate assessment
of visual acuity and visual fields. We will also
be encouraging other stakeholders from
across the health, transport and road safety
sectors to make their views known.”
And a spokeswoman for Brake – the road
safety group – added its voice to concerns in
the Daily Telegraph (February 7). “The current
eyesight test as part of the driving test is
wholly inadequate and these new changes
will put further lives at risk on our roads.”
The consultation was published on
February 3 and is available here:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/consultations.aspx
Secret filming unease
UNDERCOVER REPORTING by the BBC has
revealed fancy dress and party shops are
routinely giving ‘contact lens’ safety advice,
which a lecturer in optometry described as
“uncomfortable viewing.”
BBC Wales consumer programme X-Ray
filmed its reporter asking four retailers who sell
cosmetic contact lenses a series of questions
about their suitability including “how long do
they last?” to which she was told “a month or
two” by one sales assistant. In another store, the
reporter was advised: “Those ones last for
a year, as long as you change the solution”.
In two of the four shops she was asked
to sign a form confirming she had no prior
eye infections. One retailer also admitted to
frequently sleeping in his lenses, so inserting
and removing them was “not a problem”.
The programme showed the evidence to
Dr Christine Purslow, optometry lecturer at
Cardiff University who described the footage as
‘uncomfortable viewing’ before explaining the
potential after-effects of wearing lenses
for prolonged periods.
COMMENT
WESTWARD HO!
IS THERE the need for another optometry
course in the UK?
Professor Graham Sewell, associate
dean at Plymouth University’s Faculty of
Health thinks so (see interview, page 18).
With its campuses in Plymouth, Exeter,
Truro and Taunton, the university is the
region’s largest provider of health care
education and now wants to expand into
training future optometrists. As Professor
Sewell points out, given the introduction
of an optical programme in the region,
it will doubtless help those businesses
who would benefit from the increased
availability of optometry graduates in the
south west area.
What is interesting about the Plymouth
plan is the emphasis on work-based
learning which, Professor Sewell
suggests, will include a placement within
the first academic year.
Will this be beneficial? Indeed, can
this work? I am sure many readers of
this journal who have completed their
optometry education will have an
opinion on this, as well as the creation
of a new avenue for the qualification
of optometrists at this time – why not
respond on www.optometry.co.uk
With optometry’s profile – or lack
of it – as a future career path for sixth
formers currently something of a hot
topic for discussion (see also page 6),
developments towards the launch of a
degree potentially utilising the energy
and commitment of young people will
be keenly watched. As will its impact,
given its approval, to wage levels within
the profession.
Some with more distant memories
will remember the wages an optometrist
could command in the 1990s. It will be
interesting to see what impact Plymouth
will have on salaries in future.
David Challinor, Editor-in-Chief OT
Comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk

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NEWS
‘Sight’ is announced as key
theme for Red Nose Day
10
11/02/11 NEWS
COMIC RELIEF has announced sight as
a key theme of its celebrity challenge,
the BT Red Nose Desert Trek.
The five-day challenge will see a team
of celebrities (pictured here in a publicity
still) including Ronni Ancona, Craig
David, Lorraine Kelly, Scott Mills, Olly
Murs, Dermot O’Leary, Nadia Sawalha,
Kara Tointon and Peter White trek 100km
across the desert in Northern Kenya.
During the trek they will witness
the trachoma and cataract work of
international charity Sightsavers, which
will benefit from money donated to
Comic Relief.
Chief executive of Sightsavers,
Caroline Harper, said: “Poor eye health
is one of the most common health
problems affecting poor people in
developing countries, particularly in
Africa where Comic Relief has been
working since it started in 1985.
“Being part of Red Nose Day means
we’ll receive vital funds for our work
in Africa, helping us continue our
essential work to prevent and cure
blindness. We’re thrilled to be a
part of it.”
A documentary of the trek will be
broadcast leading up to Red Nose
Day. Celebrities and film crews
have already visited Sightsavers
programmes in Africa, and films about
the charity’s work will feature on Red
Nose Day’s ‘big night of TV’ on Friday
March 18.
To follow the charity’s involvement
with Comic Relief, see: www.
sightsavers.org/comicrelief

NEWSEXTRA
GOC sharpens its teeth
The first steps have been taken towards a shake-up of legal procedures at the General Optical
Council, particularly related to fitness to practise cases. Robina Moss reports
12
11/02/11 NEWS EXTRA
THE GOC is conducting a major overhaul of
the optical legal procedures and has agreed
to revise its current protocol with the aim of
“vigorously pursuing appropriate criminal
prosecutions”, including over the unlawful sale
of contact lenses on the Internet.
In what
was described
at the latest
council
meeting
(January 27)
as “a radical
agenda” by
chair Anna
Bradley
(pictured
right), the
council also agreed to reduce the time it takes
in investigating fitness to practise cases from
an average of 16 months to three months for
simple cases, six months for standard cases,
and a total of nine months for more
complex cases.
At the meeting, council members heard
that no criminal prosecutions are currently
being conducted by the GOC under the
Opticians Act 1989. The GOC’s director of
regulatory services, David Howell, added:
“Due to the complex procedures under
the current protocol, the reluctance of the
police to intervene and the absence of any
staff recruited for the purpose, thorough
investigations are not being carried out.” He
reminded council members that it was the
GOC’s duty to protect the public.
Public Protection
Regarding the unlawful sale of contact lenses
on the Internet, the GOC had suspended
such prosecutions due to the possibility of an
adverse European Court ruling. That European
Court case has now concluded without a
decision that any such action would be illegal,
so the GOC agreed to revise its protocol with
the aim of “vigorously pursuing” appropriate
cases.
A ban on private prosecutions instigated
in 2005 following an unsuccessful private
prosecution by the GOC against eBay was also
mentioned at the meeting. In that case the
GOC had eventually offered no evidence on
the basis that eBay had no legal obligation to
monitor sales on its website.
The GOC’s toughening up also covers other
criminal offences including carrying out a
sight test when not a registered optometrist
and posing falsely as an optometrist or a
dispensing optician.
As well as revising its protocol, the GOC
agreed to delegate to the registrar, and not
the investigation committee, the decision
on whether or not to prosecute a case. The
appointment of a lawyer was also agreed so
that prosecutions could be conducted by
in-house advocates.
Endorsing the proposals to speed up fitness
to practise cases, council member James
Russell, a former president of ABDO, said it
would help reduce the “strain and stress” on
registrants and any members of the public
involved in a case.
Explaining the need for the overhaul, Mr
Howell told the meeting: “Due to antiquated
procedures, the absence of electronic case
management systems and insufficient staff
numbers, fitness to practise cases are in some
instances not being processed as speedily as
they could be.”
To improve matters the council agreed to
introduce a fast track ‘system’ for simple cases
and also an electronic case management
system and to alter internal working practices.
A GOC staff post will also be reallocated
from administrative duties to investigations.
Mr Howell commented it was “readjusting
resources from the tail to the teeth of the
organisation”.
Support
The AOP, which provides legal representation
for its practitioner members in GOC cases,
supports the moves. The AOP’s director of
legal services, Gerda Goldinger (pictured
above, right), told OT: “We welcome anything
which supports the speedy resolution of cases
but caution that an appropriate amount of time
must be given to the proper preparation of a
case, particularly regarding the clinical aspects
of a registrant’s practise.
“Cases which appear to take longer than
necessary have far-reaching consequences for
registrants.
The emotional
impact is often
overlooked
and extends
far beyond
the registrant,
often involving
their family
and work
colleagues.”
The council
also agreed that action was needed to legally
compel third parties to
provide information when requested to do so
by the GOC. Mr Howell said that a single case
could drag on for five years if an individual
kept on prolonging it by not proving the
necessary information.
There will also be new fitness to practise
rules to aid proportionality and to improve the
GOC’s performance. The council agreed that
the draft rules should be released for public
consultation.
Council member Kevin Lewis, former College
of Optometrists’ president, said the legal
overhaul was “long overdue”.
The targeted timescale for the changes is
January 1, 2013 to allow “time to train the case
examiners, the introduction and bedding down
of a case management system, recruiting and
training staff and the introduction of the new
rules, which need to be laid before Parliament”.
It is anticipated though that fitness to practise
cases started on or after January 1 next year
could have a target investigation time of 10
months rather than 16 months.
The GOC has now announced its meeting
schedule for 2011 and will meet again on
March 24, followed by meetings on May 19,
July 28, September 29 and November 24. Go to
www.optical.org to register to attend.
Comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk

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SPECTATOR
Let’s seize the moment in
this rare opportunity
14
11/02/11 SPECTATOR
IF COMMENT emanating from doctors’ union, the
British Medical Association, is anything to go by, having
initially given it a welcome of sorts, GPs are waking up
to the possibility that there are more stings in the tail of
the changes proposed in the Health Bill than they had
previously thought.
The BMA stance is hardening with negotiators having
made a number of demands as the price for its support
and are even prepared to threaten strike action. Almost
two-thirds of respondents to a Royal College of General
Practitioners’ survey are opposed to the Government’s
reforms.
Even respected journal The Lancet (January 29) entered
the fray with an editorial entitled ‘The end of our National
Health Service’ (which subsequently received a swift and
cutting response from health minister Lord Howe).
Although some doctors may now be trying to put the
brakes on the implementation of GP commissioning, it is
too late as that particular train has already left the station.
Optometrists up and down the land, who, for whatever
reason, routinely engage with their PCT, will be aware that
in many areas the good people have either already left or are
in the process of leaving, not wanting to hang around for the
dying days of the organisation.
At the same time, the enforced learning about the brave
new world of commissioning continues to gain momentum.
Of course this does mean that there are many gaps in
current thinking and in future plans, which is why it is the
responsibility of all optometrists and dispensing opticians
to identify and grasp opportunities to deliver better care at
less cost through community optometry.
We can do
more, but if we
do not seize the
opportunities
created by
this once-ina-generation
change to
the NHS in
England then
we have failed
our successors. The LOCSU roadshow (pictured), offering
insight and guidance to how this can be achieved is
currently underway – this is one event not to be missed by
anyone who has a passion for the future of their profession.
New advances
Having been on the receiving end of a fair amount of
negative comment in the past, the GOC appears to be
making advances in areas that have a positive impact on the
“...but if we do not seize the
opportunities created by this
once-in-a-generation change to
the NHS in England then we have
failed our successors”
average practitioner (reduced fees, low-income allowances,
more stream-lined retention and plans to eradicate
unnecessary delays in fitness to practise processes, etc).
But just when you thought it was safe to leave the house,
it is clear that other regulators are roaming the wider ‘health’
landscape, looking to acquire a slice of the action.
The two that we must not take our eyes off, are economic
regulator ‘Monitor’ and the Care Quality Commission. While
the recently published Health Bill includes proposals that
beef up Monitor’s powers, it is not absolutely clear that its
interest won’t broaden from its current role of regulating
foundation trusts to take in primary care providers such as
ourselves – its new role (likened to an ‘Ofgem’ for health)
is to oversee all health and adult social care provision in
England, including setting prices and promoting competition.
Our fellow primary care practitioners in dentistry have
expressed their concerns that the Health Bill fails to make
clear what role Monitor will play in the regulation (and even
pricing) of dental services, or whether Monitor will license
dental practitioners.
The dentists are also fearful of what is being planned
behind closed doors at the Care Quality Commission. The
CQC has already indicated it will charge each dental practice
a £1,500 registration fee (with GPs likely to face the same
fate).
Hmmm – it looks like there is a good chance we may have
more than one regulator to worry about in the future.
For more comment visit www.optometry.co.uk

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PROFILE
20 Questions – Richard Petrie
Richard Petrie has run a practice near Derby for over 30 years. He is a former Sight Care Group chairman
16
11/02/11 20 QUESTIONS
How are you?
Very well thank you. I’ve just had my over-
60’s health check and apparently I’ve got the
blood pressure of someone younger –
I hope they don’t mind having mine…
How is business right now?
Surprisingly buoyant for the general
economic climate.
Have you had any promotions
that were especially successful?
We had a refit last autumn – I’d always
understood that it would make a big
improvement in turnover and profit but I
hadn’t really believed it until it happened.
What do you like about optics?
I like the variety. Even though we may be
looking for the same things in our patients,
every single one of them is different,
providing different answers and requiring
individual solutions.
What’s the best thing that’s
happened in the profession
during your time working in it?
There are two that stand out. Clinically
the advent of OCT technology which has
rejuvenated my clinical enthusiasm as well
as giving me lots more to talk to my patients
about. Also it has to be the formation and
development of the Sight Care Group,
which has done an immense amount to
allow independent optometry to flourish.
Who do you admire in optics?
Trevor Warburton, who seems able to be in
several places at once, and Paul Surridge –
he’s made Sight Care the success it is today.
Where are your favourite places
that optics has taken you?
In Europe, Seville and Budapest, at fantastic
Sight Care conferences. And the Far East,
especially Singapore, where the levels of
customer service is an object lesson to all.
Are you superstitious?
No. But I try not to break mirrors, walk
under ladders or cut my nails on a Sunday
just in case. I also won’t wear green on a
boat.
If you were granted one wish for
optics what would you wish for?
To be able to restructure our role in the
Health Service to make good clinical work
pay and remove the need for the cross
subsidy from dispensing profits.
Favourite TV show?
Emmerdale is filmed quite close to where I
used to live as a teenager and Coronation
Street is set in a town very similar to
the one I was born in so they both get
watched.
Outside of the profession, what
are your hobbies?
Sailing, walking, gardening.
Sum up your feelings for the
next 12 months in five words.
Optimism, trepidation, confidence,
curiosity, anticipation.
Where do you go on holiday?
On a boat whenever possible – ideally
somewhere warm.
What are your favourite
products in the optical sector?
Reykjavik frames, Essilor’s ‘Eyecoded’
lenses, Blephaclean and Topcon’s
OCT2000.
If you weren’t in the profession
what would you be doing?
I narrowly escaped becoming a doctor
thanks to poor A-levels so I suppose that
I might have retaken them and done
medicine, but I would also have liked to
become an actor.
What’s your favourite singer or
musical group?
Alan Barnes (who plays jazz saxophone).
What do you put down your/
your company’s success to?
The personal touch.
What’s your favourite season,
and time of year?
Early summer – everything looks green
and full of promise, winds are fair and the
seas are relatively flat.
Where would spend your
perfect day?
On our boat, with our children and
grandchildren, only on the Mediterranean
rather than the Irish Sea.
Any final thoughts?
Optics has been very good to me and
provided me with a satisfying occupation
and a comfortable lifestyle. I hope
that my generation is passing it on in
better condition than when we arrived,
enthusiastic but green, 40-plus years ago.

©
Silhouette ©
Silhouette / valid / valid until until 11.2011 11.2011
www.silhouette.com | design and quality made in Austria

INTERVIEW
Why we’re looking at optometry
OT spoke to Professor Graham Sewell, associate dean at the University of Plymouth’s Faculty of
Health, about plans to develop an optometry course in the south west
18
11/02/11 INTERVIEW
Why optometry and why now?
A scoping exercise carried out in
the south west last year indicated a
significant short-fall in the availability
of optometry graduates in the region
and that this has been a problem for
many years. This is not surprising given
that currently the nearest university to
Plymouth with optometry provision
is Cardiff University, more than 150
miles away. Experience suggests that
the provision of an undergraduate
programme by a local higher education
institute can significantly improve
workforce availability – indeed,
geographic demand was one of the
criteria used by the Government to
select the then proposed Peninsula
College of Medicine and Dentistry, at
our university, as the location for one of
the new medical schools in 2000.
We also think this proposal is timely –
Professor Nick Bosanquet’s 2010 report,
highlighted that not only has optometry
been at the forefront of delivering
cost-effective healthcare in community
settings, but that it can do much more.
However, in order to be able to relieve
pressure on other NHS services, the
optometry workforce will need to be
able to accommodate these demands.
At the same time, the university
has not been alone in recognising that
the number of men now choosing
to pursue careers in health is low –
mirrored by the small number of boys
choosing subjects such as biology at
school. Health services are one of the
main areas of employment in the south
west, and young males are possibly
unintentionally denying themselves
future potential career opportunities.
And as part of interprofessional
health education?
Yes, it has been recognised that students
from different professional programmes
who are educated together are better
prepared to work together. Optometrists
are autonomous practitioners who
work closely with other members
of the multidisciplinary team. It is
essential that inter-professional working
and learning is an integral part of the
optometry programme and we believe
that this will be one of the innovative
features of the delivery of optometry at
the university.
So you are nurturing the
‘professional’ as well as the
‘clinician’?
The university is committed to the
professional and personal development,
as well as the education, of our
students. The professional programme
aims to produce competent, skilled
professionals who are fit for purpose and
capable of entering the contemporary
job market – which, for most, will be a
career within their chosen profession.
Career preparation features throughout
the programme through placement
experience, formal and informal
professional development tutorials
and the development of a continuous
professional development (CPD)
portfolio – a concept that is in line with
work that the College of Optometrists has
been developing.
Your publicity refers to
Problem-Based Learning (PBL) –
what does this mean?
With PBL, learning occurs in small
student groups where the tutor acts
as a facilitator. A case scenario will
be presented and forms the focus and
stimulus for the learning. For example,
the students would have to determine
Comment on the news via www.optometry.co.uk
the anatomy and physiology relevant to
the case scenario, then the pathology,
clinical signs and symptoms. They
would then explore how to manage the
patient in this scenario (prescription,
advice, referrals etc) and would also
have to address the professional issues
and research aspects that relate to the
case. It is anticipated that the proposed
optometry programme will incorporate
elements of PBL in the delivery of the
curriculum and by applying these to this
new programme, we will be able to offer
undergraduates benefits associated with
this innovative approach.
You have also referred to
structured Professional
Placement Learning (PPL)...
Work-based learning on placements
are integral to our programmes. We
recognise that the education and
training of optometrists has been
developed along a different model, with
students first graduating and then going
on to follow the Scheme for Registration
leading to qualification and registration
as optometrists. However, we strongly
believe that embracing work-based
learning at an earlier point will help to
embed and contextualise their learning
to their later benefit and help the
students to appreciate the values and
reality of optometric practice. From
previous experience, we would
anticipate that placements will be
mainly located in Devon and Cornwall.
Currently, we anticipate that the first
short placement would occur towards
the end of the first academic year. It
would be our intention that placements
in a variety of secondary health care
settings and hospital settings will
be added in years 2 and 3 of the
programme. Early indications are that
the larger employers would be very
interested in supporting this learning
mechanism and we hope to involve
practitioners, businesses and other
stakeholders from across the region to
help further refine these plans.

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Frame featured RETRO 219

INDUSTRYNEWS
TRADING PLACES
20
Hoya Lens UK has appointed Courtney Salway,
FBDO (Hons)CL, as sales manager for the South
Midlands region. Mr Salway (pictured below)
said that he was drawn to Hoya’s cutting edge
technology. He has worked in optics since
qualifying in 1987 and has spent the past
six years representing Essilor. His in-practice
experience includes time with independent
and multiple practice opticians and as an ABDO
distance learning tutor.
11/02/10 INDUSTRY NEWS
International Eyewear has appointed Mark
Hobson as joint managing director to work
alongside Julie Abel. He joined the company
having spent many years within the optical
industry, with the last two years at Silhouette as
managing director.
The Safilo Group, the global business in the
premium eyewear sector, has appointed
Maurizio Roman to the role of global supply
chain, logistics and production operations
officer. Beginning on March 1, Mr Roman
will report directly to the CEO of the Safilo
Group, Roberto Vedovotto. Mr Vedovotto said
that it was “one of the most strategic and
critical business areas for the group’s future
development”.
BBGR has
appointed
Steve Smith
(pictured),
FBDO as
area sales
manager
for the
central
region. He
possesses
extensive
experience in both optical retail and the
ophthalmic lens sectors.
Mr Smith said: “Having used BBGR and
Rupp & Hubrach Sports lenses in practice, I am
delighted to be able to present this fantastic
range to both opticians and independent labs.”
Global boost for UK
contact lens firm
BAUSCH & LOMB has announced a global licensing agreement
with UltraVision CLPL to market and sell KeraSoft soft contact
lenses throughout the world. The announcement was made at the
Global Specialty Lens Symposium in Las Vegas and is a major boost
for UK company UltraVision which is based in Leighton Buzzard,
Bedfordshire. The financial terms of the deal remain confidential but
both companies expect that the lenses will give sight back to
millions of people around the world.
“This technology has totally transformed my view of contact lens
management of keratoconus and irregular cornea patients,” said
Joseph Barr, O.D, B&L’s vice president, global clinical and medical
affairs and professional services, vision care. “The visual results and
enhancement of life are true advances, ” Group CEO of UltraVision
CLPL, J Keith Lomas, (pictured) said: “We’re delighted with this
transformational deal. We’ve developed life-changing KeraSoft
technology in the UK and Bausch & Lomb, a clear market leader,
will now use its brand and channels to take it global. We will
continue with our core focus on developing and licensing innovative
technologies.”
As part of the agreement, B&L has acquired the KeraSoft trademark.
The global roll-out will begin later this year through the network
of B&L laboratory channel partners and will be executed around
the world in phases.
020 8781 2900

The London
look is retro
J K London’s new collection for
Spring/Summer explores and expands
upon classic frame designs from the
1950s, ‘60s and 70s.
The increasingly popular round eye
shape is enhanced in the feminine
Richmond design (pictured) with
pop art brights of yellow, pink and
purple, standing out against the more
traditional black, brown and maroon.
In the Victoria model for women and
Pimlico for men is the familiar 1950s
eye shape, updated with a laser cut-out
across the brow to display a flash of
contrasting colour.
Also in acetate, Islington and Kings
Cross mix matt and polished finishes
to the retro eye shape. The distinctive
effect is also presented in metal, as seen
in the Moorgate and Tower Hill models.
& 0208 732 9600
Making light
work of work
Shamir Optical has launched Shamir
Computer and Shamir WorkSpace,
advanced Freeform occupational lenses
which offer quick dispensing solutions
based on individual work environments.
Shamir Computer provides a wide
field of vision up to 1.5m (5ft), greater
than that offered by conventional reading
lenses while Shamir WorkSpace offers
a depth of field up to 3m (10ft). Once
the lens design has been chosen, just
three other parameters need be included
for the order, the patient’s prescription,
fitting height and frame data.
& 01954 785100
Freeform option
launched
Hoya’s 1.74 hi-index lens
option, Eyvia, has just been
released for freeform designs,
targeted at patients with higher
plus or minus powers who want
a good cosmetic look.
The ultra thin and light lens is
said to provide “crystal clear vision”
and is available for the same price
as Hoya’s Eyry 1.70 lens material,
for the equivalent lens designs.
“We are receiving high levels of
interest from our customers for this premium
new lens option,” said Hoya Lens UK product
manager, Steve Roberts, FBDO.
Eyvia is only available with Hoya’s premium lens choices
and the award-winning Hi-Vision LongLife coating which
offers “the highest degree of scratch protection”.
Dispensing tools, including lens thickness mats, patient leaflets and
display cards are available via the website www.hoyanet.co.uk.
& 0845 3300984
150 new frames ready
for Optrafair
Dunelm Optical will be previewing range
additions from its 2011 brochure at this year’s
Optrafair. For an exclusive preview, see the
film interview on the OT website www.
optometry.co.uk.
All ranges in the company’s portfolio
will be showcased at the Birmingham
show in April, with 150 new styles
from the designer collections of
Paul Costelloe, Janet Reger and John
Rocha plus Dunelm’s own ranges, Julian
Beaumont, Retro and Whiz Kids. The cases
and accessories ranges will also be on the
company’s stand M40 in Hall 20. The 2011 master
brochure will be released shortly after the event.
Dunelm Optical director Peter Beaumont, said: “We’re delighted to be exhibiting so many
new frames at this year’s show. Optrafair is a fantastic barometer of trends for the year ahead,
and we’re forever adding to our ranges to ensure they stay as contemporary and on-trend as
possible, making this event a great
opportunity for us to showcase our
updated collections. The new frames
reflect both current and upcoming
trends and we’re confident they’ll be
a hit.”
& 01388 420420
21
11/02/10 INDUSTRY NEWS

COMPETITION
Win with OT’s Mystery Year
24
11/02/11 MYSTERY YEAR
AS PART of our
50th anniversary
celebrations, we are
giving one lucky
reader £500 worth of
shopping vouchers for
the store or website of
their choice.
In each issue before
our big Optrafair
draw OT will print an
advertisement which
we ran many years
ago – all you have to
do to get an entry in
our prize draw is to
tell us which year the image was first printed. Last issue’s
answer was 1984 – though the ad also ran in 1985, so
we’re giving both as correct answers. Congratulations to
all those who were correct, you each get an entry into
the draw.
The third Mystery Year image is pictured above
featuring Des Lynam, who, during the Mystery Year
was completing his final full year as Match of the Day
presenter.
To enter simply guess the Mystery Year and send the
answer, along with your contact details to: Mystery Year
(February 11), Optometry Today, 61 Southwark Street,
London, SE1 0HL.
For full terms and conditions or to enter online, see
www.optometry.co.uk
Looking back
Throughout our anniversary year in we’ll be sharing some
of the best letters we’ve received over the years. This
week, we look back to 1966 – where one practitioner
found a little more than he expected in a patient’s handbag.
Frozen spectacles
Sir – I recently saw a patient who complained that her
spectacles ‘steamed up’ when she first put them on.
I asked her to put on the spectacles. To my surprise,
immediately they were mounted on her face they ‘steamed
up’ completely. I was quite puzzled; the day was warm, the
outside temperature was equal to that in my consulting room
and it seemed to me that the humidity was not excessive.
It struck me as the only possible explanation could be
that her handbag was somehow acting like a refrigerator and
causing excessive cooling of her glasses, so I asked her if she
could recall whether the trouble had always occurred when
she had just taken them out of her handbag and if she had
anything unusual in it. Her reply to the first question was
in the affirmative but she stoutly maintained that there was
nothing unusual about the handbag and opened it wide to
demonstrate this. Lo and behold the first thing I should see
in her bag was a packet of frozen fish fingers on top of which
had rested her spectacle case!
N A McLean, Harrow (October 1966)
optometrytoday
For more letters from the era, visit www.optometry.co.uk

DAILIES AQUACOMFORT PLUS, ®
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CIBA ADVERT A4.indd 1 07/02/2011 15:54

COMPETITIONS
February crossword
This issue we continue our monthly crossword series. So why
not enter our competition before the closure date. The winner
will receive £50 in Marks & Spencer vouchers.
26
11/02/11 CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Unobstructed aspect (5,4)
8. Decorative design and handicrafts (4,3,6)
11. Elevator (4)
12. Famous racecourse (5)
13. Worn by the ‘Saint’ (4)
16. Shrub of the rose family (7)
17. The breastbone (7)
18. Explorer and associate of Elizabeth the First
(7)
20. The distance for which one can see (7)
21. Breakfast dish (4)
22. Midlands town (5)
23. Emitted from the eye (4)
26. He is in charge on the platform (7,6)
27. Continued firmly or stubbornly (9)
Name:
Address:
DOWN
2. Number of items written down (4)
3. Loss of memory (7)
4. Conquerors (7)
5. Short ‘test’ (4)
6. They keep the road users legally on the
move (7,6)
7. Reading in a poor light can do this (6,3,4)
9. London station (3,6)
10. The morning rush-hour is thronged with
these (9)
14. Shiny fabric (5)
15. Put off for a while (5)
19. Tasty snack (3-4)
20. They thrive in a cold climate (7)
24. Eye affliction (4)
25. Land surrounded by water (4)
Send entries to OT, February Crossword, 61 Southwark Street, London SE1 0HL to arrive no later
than March 4 2011. You can now enter the crossword online at www.optometry.co.uk

Hands-on education.
You’re invited to
join us in 2011.
You can’t beat practical, interactive experience.
Not only does it make learning more fun, you
come away having absorbed so much more and
better equipped to understand customer needs
and grow your business.
All courses we run at THE VISION CARE INSTITUTE
take place in state-of-the-art, bespoke suites and
among your peers. Feedback and questions are
positively encouraged.
‘‘
The return to work course is a real gem and a first for the profession. The enthusiasm and knowledge of
the faculty was great and the content accessibility and openness of the course made it a lot less daunting.
‘Returning-to-work’ delegate
Our courses run throughout the year in 2011,
so you choose when you want to come and they
are FREE to attend.
Sign up today.
‘‘
Book now for 2011 courses
www.thevisioncareinstitute.co.uk
0845 310 5347
THE VISION CARE INSTITUTE is a trademark of Johnson & Johnson Medical Ltd. © Johnson and Johnson Medical Ltd. 2011.

BUSINESSPROFILE
Beating the recession
Optometrist and owner of a small chain of independent practices Martin Chandler talks to OT’s
Chris Donkin about the changes he’s made to keep his business growing during the downturn,
and gives his advice for anyone looking to start-up in 2011
28
11/02/11 PROFILE
IN JUST six years Martin Chandler has gone from owning
one small independent practice to owning three much larger
ones in the south east, success he attributes to sound targeted
marketing, good customer service and organisation.
“It’s all about quality not quantity,” he surmises as the
current role of independents. “With our frames, we’ve
gone slightly more upmarket and perhaps done more niche
marketing, recognising that we can’t compete just on price.
“We’ve also tried to develop our contact lens base, which
is solid – and actually a relatively large part of our business –
about 19% at the moment.”
He currently has 15 staff working across the three branches
of Chandlers Opticians in Godalming, Surrey (opened 2004
in the premises next door to the current practice), Haselmere
(2006) and Borden, Hampshire (2009). Recently, he has
tried to employ and train staff to specifically connect with
his target market: “I feel younger professionals will have
more empathy with younger people and hopefully evoke the
younger area of the contact lens business,” he says, “leaving
the older fogeys like myself to deal with the multifocals and
things of that nature. It’s true to say you don’t necessarily
want people in their mid-50s talking to you about contact
lenses if you’re a teenager. It is like your mum and dad
banging on about it.”
With both price deals at multiples and the Internet offering
quantity savings, he believes that to survive and prosper,
independents have to emphasise their advantages over
cheaper, online alternatives and to stay clear of the trappings
of having constant sales, instead doing timely promotions.
“We’re now moving away from seasonal deals and special
offers. We have a New Year’s sale, which people expect,
but that’s it. Rather than price promotions we tend to do
features highlighting the advantages of products, such as UV
protection. Ultimately people on the High Street are used
to sales everywhere. We have to persuade the public we are
offering value, the right product at the right price rather than
offering the cheapest product at the cheapest price.”
Brand awareness
Mr Chandler (pictured above and below-left with a patient) has
sought to set his businesses apart by establishing a firm brand
in the community and planning out marketing campaigns
well in advance. “I think we put together an unusual offering
for a company of our size in that we try to develop a brand
which holds together all the practices and puts us in a perhaps
unique position,” he says. “We have patient leaflets, all of
which are branded to look like a set (Young Eyes, Retinal
Imaging, Contact Lenses, Varifocal and Age and Vision) readily
available and used. I’ve done the majority of writing myself
and used a small graphic design and marketing company to
buff it up for us.”
He has also employed a company to provide branded
envelopes and high quality reminder letters, which he says
have yielded “fantastic” results: “We tried for many years to
get our reminders right. We did an okay job but this is a much
more professional way of doing it. Recall response rate is up
about 12% since we got them done properly in the last 14-15
months.
“Those sorts of things do, I believe, differentiate us from
independents who may not be as into their marketing as we
are. We also have an advertising plan, which takes us through
to June indicating the deadlines for local glossy magazines, the
type of advertising and editorial we are submitting,” he adds.
When looking at submissions for the local media, he believes
editorial shouldn’t be a straight advertisement but significantly
more informative, trying to excite the reader about the subject
matter so they then go into practice and enquire about contact
lenses, or whatever the article was about.
Continued on page 30
For more business articles go to www.optometry.co.uk/business

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BUSINESSPROFILE
30
11/02/11 PROFILE
Starting afresh
Despite his obvious business acumen, Mr Chandler spent
almost 30 years between qualifying from City University
in 1975 and taking the plunge into practice ownership,
which he did following 14 years at Leightons Opticians
and a stint at LensCrafters. “People had been telling me to
do it for years, but it does require a bit of a leap of faith,”
he says. “The biggest challenge of opening a practice cold
was having the confidence that your clinical ability and
customer service excellence will get you through.”
Mr Chandler concedes that now may not be the ideal
time to start up, but if he was qualifying today, he still
believes he would go for a good opportunity. “I think it’s
fair to say that the climate is much more competitive now
than it was then but ultimately if I had the right people
with me, I’d say yes, but finding the right opportunity is
probably harder than it would have been all those years
ago.”
Location, location, location
But, what constitutes a good opportunity? To borrow a
phrase from Channel 4, it’s location, location, location:
“I think you have to recognise there are areas which are
more appropriate for independent practice than others. I
think large towns are areas which multiples are going to be
buttoning up pretty easily – whereas some of the market
types of towns like Godalming and Haselmere are probably
the natural environment of the independent.”
The financial market and outlook of the High Street
were very different back in 2004 when he opened his first
“Spend at least 3% of your
turnover on advertising and
marketing because if you don’t
do that you’ll go backwards”
practice, however the principles of good business remain
the same. He advises any optometrist thinking of starting
out now to: “Understand fully that their core competency
is optometry and to look at their areas of weakness.
Identify the commercial offering they are not good at and
try to employ professionals to help them in those areas: be
it a graphic design studio or somebody who’s very good at
practice layout.
“A lot of opticians are happy to understand they may
need an accountant to help them with the financial side
of the business, but there are other sides of running a
business some optometrists will need help with. Also, be
very self-critical and always measure what’s happening.
“KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) are a chore, but it
does give you a good understanding of what your business
is doing, otherwise you’re just second-guessing.”
As for the independent practice of the future, he says:
“On the High Street I think there’s going to be increased
polarisation between the smaller centres and larger retail
centres, which will become increasingly price-led with
supermarkets increasing their presence in the optical
arena. Independents are better getting away from that.
“I think you’ve got to be prepared to provide time for
a comprehensive eye examination and work very hard
on your customer service to create an increased element
of value,” he says. “If you can do that then I think the
good independents will thrive. Equally, if you aren’t even
slightly aware as to what else is happening, in terms of
providing the right products at the right price, I think
you’re going to find yourself sliding behind in the market
place, because in the next five years I think there will be
increasing price pressure.
“As far as marketing goes – you need to determine a
budget and plan it. Look to spend at least 3% of your
turnover on an advertising campaign and marketing
because if you don’t do that you’ll go backwards.”
For other business articles go to www.optometry.co.uk/business

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32
11/02/11 STUDENT NEWS
Bradford hosts 2011 Opfest
AS REIGNING champions Bradford University
will host the second annual Opfest sports day
next month.
The cross-university competition will see
students from each of the eight UK-based
optometry departments battle it out against
each other in a number of sporting events
including rugby, football, netball and dodgeball.
The Cardiff University Optometry Society
(OPSOC) revived the sports competition in 2010
after it being dormant for 20 years.
Pictured is last year’s winning team from
Bradford University.
This year’s event will kick off on March 11 with
a geek-themed Friday Night Disco in Bradford’s
new Student Central building, with Opfest
being hosted at Bradford College’s Trinity Green
Campus on March 12.
A Bollywood-themed ball with dancers, Henna
tattooing and a curry dinner will be held on the
DETAILS OF the 2011
‘Cornea to Cortex’
research seminars run
by Cardiff University’s
Optometry School have
been released.
The weekly
educational lectures take
place every Wednesday
from 1-2pm in room 0.05 in the School’s multimillion
pound Maindy Road premises.
Maggie Woodhouse will host the next
hour-long seminar on February 16, which sees
Professor Julie Harris from the University of
St Andrews’ School of Psychology talk on the
‘Perception of motion in three dimensions’.
In March Robyn Davies, from the Wales
School of Primary Care Research, and Dr Frank
Martin, director of the Biophotonics Unit
at the University of Lancaster, will speak on
Saturday night, before students return to their
respective universities on the Sunday (March 13).
The weekend costs £30 per student, which
includes accommodation at the Hilton Bradford
Hotel over the weekend and entry to all events.
Students interested in attending should speak to
a member of their OpSoc committee.
There are still sponsorship opportunities
available for the event. Companies interested in
sponsoring Opfest should contact Paul Fasulo on
07575 517697 or email opfest2011@hotmail.co.uk
‘Cornea to Cortex’ returns in 2011
‘The Wales School for
Primary Care Research:
An Introduction’ and
‘Biospectroscopy
to characterise the
stem cell lineage
within complex
tissue architectures’
respectively on March
16 and March 23.
Later on in the spring term the University
of Ulster’s Dr Kathryn Saunders will present
on ‘Visual Function in Down’s Syndrome – the
Woodhouse Legacy’ (April 13).
For a full list of the seminars scheduled
throughout the spring semester visit
www.cardiff.ac.uk/optom/research/
researchseminars
For more information email Alison Binns on
BinnsAM@cf.ac.uk
Eye Clinic receives
£45k instrument
donation
GLASGOW CALEDONIAN University’s Eye
Clinic is the lucky recipient of an Oculus
Pentacam which was donated by Optical
Express.
The state-of-the-art eye diagnostic
instrument performs a precise analysis
of the eye, allowing students to gain
a better understanding of the cornea,
anterior chamber and crystalline lens.
Speaking about the donation, Dr
Scott Mackie, professional services
director at Optical Express, said: “The
Oculus Pentacam will offer students the
opportunity to explore and understand a
more complex view of the eye. It will give
them a fascinating insight into the cornea
at an early stage of their development.
“We remain committed to helping and
supporting the Department of Vision
Sciences as they develop and nurture
our next generation of leading eye
specialists.”
Glasgow Caledonian is one of three
universities across the UK that owns an
Oculus Pentacam, which is worth around
£45,000. The eye clinics at Manchester
and Cardiff also have the equipment.
Dr Niall Strang, acting head of Vision
Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian,
commented: “We are very fortunate to be
the only university in Scotland with such
advanced technology. “
Dr Mackie is pictured left with Dr
Strang (right).

PRODUCTS
Improve your
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34
OT looks at some of the latest sunglasses
which will keep your patients protected
and looking stylish in 2011
11/02/11 SUNGLASSES
International Eyewear
The Dakota 8073 frame (above) aims to provide consumers who are
looking for ‘dynamic details, luxurious colours and exceptional quality.’
The ultra-feminine design is available in deep purple and features an
enamel butterfly and a single Swarovski crystal.
0121 585 6526
Rodenstock
Presented at last month’s Opti Munich, the German company’s
new sunglasses continue the oversized trend. The R3227 (pictured)
has, a curvy, feminine acetate frame and is available in black,
brown, grey or violet.
01474 325 555
Inspecs
The new Animal Sun 2011 range, features
frames designed to withhold the pressures
of an active lifestyle holiday.
Tested by skate, surf, snowboard and BMX
teams, this performance eyewear is designed
to ensure wearers “look good and survive
the ride.”
Pictured is the prescription glazeable
Twinzer Sun.
01225 717 000

Dunelm
Sunset Plus 257, is an oversized frame marketed as
being synonymous for a glamorous 1960s look. It
is one of the latest designs from its Sunset+ range
which has shapes, colours and styles for all age
groups and to cater for a variety of budgets.
& 01388 420 420
ørgreen
The Danish company’s male Lucian and female Francis frames (both pictured) are
aimed at the high fashion market, with design inspired by classic aviator styles.
The Lucian design also has a subtle reference to the classic sweat bar running
across the top.
& 01279 724 407
35
11/02/11 SUNGLASSES
Silhouette
The Sun Softtouch, pictured, features a soft,
subtle and classic style – housed within
the brand’s rimless look.
Its new collection is available in
colours ‘inspired by nature’ – green,
grey, brown and soft earth, the
female frames are also available
in apricot.
All designs offer 100% protection
from UV light with a wavelength of
up to 400 nanometers.
& 020 8987 8899
Maui Jim
Sunglasses aren’t just for summer, they offer UV protection on the slopes
too, as shown by the Rainbow Falls (above), from Maui Jim, a two-tone
oversized wrap designed to give excellent coverage against wind, UV
and sun.
Shaped as a ‘soft square’ with rounded corners, it suits small to medium
facial features.
& 0800 980 1770

DIARYDATES
Gloucester Terrace in London will
host Topcon later this month
21 TMR, Holiday Inn City Centre, Birmingham,
‘Optical assistant/receptionist course one’
(info@tmr.co.uk)
NEW… 21 Northern Optometric Society,
Manchester Conference Centre, Weston
Building, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1
‘AMD: Where are we now and where are we
all going?’ (www.northernoptom.com)
NEW… 24 Hillingdon LOC, Postgraduate
Centre, Hillingdon Hospital, Hillingdon,
‘The principles of OCT and its relevance’
(sirajg@hotmail.com)
28 LOCSU, Copthorne Hotel, The Close,
Quayside, Newcastle, ‘Regional training
roadshow’ SEE ABOVE
36
11/02/11 DIARY DATES
FEBRUARY
14 LOCSU, Belfry, Mellor’s Way,
Nottingham, ‘Regional training roadshow’
(cameronmitchell@locsu.co.uk)
14 CIBA Vision, BMA, Tavistock Square,
London, WC1 9JP, ‘The Big Fit’ (www.
cibavisionacademy.co.uk)
14 Lancashire Optical Society, Swallow
Hotel, Preston, ‘Surgeons’ choice’
(ruthcuth@btinternet.com)
15 BCLA, 76 Portland Place, London,
‘Scientific evening meeting’
(www.bcla.org.uk)
15 J&J, Watershed, Bristol, ‘Vision for
life roadshow’ 11 CET points (www.
thevisioncareinstitute.co.uk)
17 LOCSU, Menzies Hotel, Barr Hill,
Cambridge, ‘Regional training roadshow’
SEE ABOVE
17 J&J, The Lowry, Manchester, ‘Vision for
life roadshow’ 11 CET points available
SEE ABOVE
17-18 Innovative Sclerals, 73 Railway
Street, Hertford, ‘An introduction to scleral
lens practice’ (www.sclerals.com)
22 TMR, Holiday Inn City Centre, Birmingham,
‘Optical assistant/receptionist course two’ SEE
ABOVE
23 TMR, Holiday Inn City Centre,
Birmingham, ‘Commercial dispensing’
SEE ABOVE
NEW... 23 Topcon, 199 Gloucester Terrace,
London, W2. ‘AMD – Prevention is better than
cure’(medical@topcon.co.uk)
NEW… 24 J&J, The Vision Care Institute,
Pinewood, Wokingham, ‘Healthy eyes and
healthy practices’ SEE ABOVE
24 TMR, Holiday Inn City Centre, Birmingham,
‘Optical management and marketing’
SEE ABOVE
MARCH
NEW… 1 North London AOP, Moorfields
Eye Hospital, London, EC1V, ‘Contact lenses
– vision and cosmesis’
(stevedross10@hotmail.com)
2-6 SECO, Georgia World Congress
Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
(www.seco2011.com)
NEW… 2 BCLA, Susan R Bowers
Optometrists, Coventry, ‘Advanced toric
multifocal lens fitting’ 4 CET points
available in contact lenses
SEE ABOVE
3 Norfolk and Norwich LOC, The Oaklands,
Norwich, ‘AMD part one,’ 6.45pm (caron.
willard@novartis.com)
See more events at www.optometry.co.uk/events

Book your
place by
11 March 2011
to receive
the early bird
discount rate
35 th BCLA
CLINICAL CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
2011
Manchester Central
Conference 26-29 May 2011 | Exhibition 27-29 May 2011
LEARN TODAY
REGISTRATION
NOW OPEN
www.bcla.org.uk
PRACTICE TOMORROW
NEW for 2011
Clinical spotlight on Anti-Myopia
Clinical workshops
Corneal dystrophy session
General health & contact lenses
Sessions for those new and
returning to contact lenses
Free Exhibition
Not a member of the BCLA? Join today and save over £100 on your delegate fee
Join our Facebook group ‘BCLA 2011’
Patron - New Delegates Platinum - New Delegates Gold - New Delegates Gold
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Optometry Today
British Contact Lens Association, 7/8 Market Place, London, W1W 8AG I T:+44(0)207 580 6661 I F:+44(0)207 580 6669 | Email: conf@bcla.org.uk

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. Successful completion will result in two CET points. VRICS
regularly appears in Optometry Today.
Contact lens aftercare & complications
COURSE CODE: C-15604 O/D/CL
Dr Navneet Gupta BSc (Hons)
PhD MCOptom FBCLA
38
A
1. Which one of the following is NOT an associated initial symptom
of the condition shown in Image A?
a) Blurred vision
b) Excessive mucous discharge
c) Dry and scratchy eyes
d) Contact lens intolerance
11/02/11 VRICS
B
2. Which one of the following is the LEAST appropriate management
option for the condition shown in Image A?
a) Cease contact lens wear until symptoms and signs reduce
b) Change from a multipurpose solution to peroxide-based cleaning regime
c) Use of topical mast cell stabiliser / anti-histamine combination eye drops
d) Re-fit from a RGP to a soft monthly disposable contact lens
3. Which one of the following statements about the condition shown
in Image B is FALSE?
a) It is more prevalent with reusable than daily disposable contact lenses
b) The person is likely to experience dry and sore eyes
c) There will be a reduced tear break-up time (TBUT) measurement
d) Dead epithelial cells and dust can cause this condition
4. Which one of the following is LEAST likely to improve the
condition shown in Image B?
a) Warm compresses and/or lid hygiene
b) Use of artificial tear supplements
c) Reduced contact lens wearing time per day
d) Re-fitting to a silicone hydrogel contact lens material
C
Keratometry K1 K2
Right Eye At Fitting 7.90 @ 80 7.80 @ 170
Right Eye At 1 year
post-fitting
7.80 @ 80 7.80 @ 170
5. A RGP contact lens with BOZR of 7.80mm was fitted to the right
eye of a person with the measurements shown in the top panel of
Image C. One year after fitting, the measurements were as shown in
the bottom panel of Image C. What has occurred?
a) The person has progressing keratoconus
b) Corneal moulding has occurred due to a steep-fitting contact lens
c) Corneal moulding has occurred due to a flat-fitting lens
d) The person has over-worn their contact lenses
6. For the person in Question 5 and the measurements shown in
Image C, what is the MOST appropriate management option?
a) Continue lens wear with the same parameters and review in 1 year
b) Alter the BOZR to 7.90mm and reduce the maximum wearing time
c) Cease lens wear. When original keratometry is restored, alter the BOZR to
7.90mm
d) Cease RGP contact lens wear altogether and re-fit to soft contact lenses

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.
CET points for this exam will be uploaded to Vantage on April 18 2011.
2 FREE CET POINTS
Approved for Optometrists Approved for DOs Approved for CLPs
About the author
Dr Navneet Gupta is an optometrist and clinical editor for Optometry Today. His
interest areas include contact lenses, anterior eye and presbyopia. He would
like to thank Andrew Gasson of Andrew Gasson Contact Lenses, London, for
contributing images to this VRICS.
Associated reading:
1. Gasson A & Morris J. (2010) The Contact Lens Manual, 4th
Ed. Butterworth-Heinemann
2. Efron N. (2010) Contact Lens Practice, Butterworth-
Heinemann
3. Rosenfield M & Logan N. (2009) Optometry: Science,
Techniques and Clinical Management, Elsevier Health
Sciences
4. Purslow C. (2010) The interaction between contact
lenses and the tear film. Optometry Today Feb 26; 34-40.
7. Which one of the following is NOT a likely cause for the
problem shown in Image D?
a) Meibomian gland dysfunction
b) Poor and incomplete blinking / reduced blink rate
c) Use of peri-ocular cosmetics
d) Use of “no-rub” surfactant multipurpose solutions
39
D
8. Which one of the following is LEAST likely to improve the
problem shown in Image D?
a) Use of contact lens re-wetting drops
b) Conscious blinking exercises
c) Re-fit to an ionic high water content lens material
d) Re-fit to a non-ionic low water content lens material
9. Which one of the following statements about the condition
shown in Image E is FALSE?
a) This represents conjunctival thinning and desiccation
b) This could occur due to a steep-fitting contact lens
c) There is always corneal staining present with this condition
d) The person may experience dryness symptoms
11/02/11 VRICS
E
10. Which one of the following is the LEAST appropriate
management option for the condition shown in Image E?
a) Continue lens wear and review in one year
b) Re-fit to a contact lens with a flatter BOZR
c) Advise the use of contact lens re-wetting drops
d) Re-fit to a lower modulus contact lens material
11. Which one of the following statements about the condition
shown in Image F is FALSE?
a) This is usually caused by mechanical affects of contact lens wear
b) It is important to improve the efficacy of the contact lens cleaning regime
c) The person should be re-fitted to daily disposable contact lenses
d) If left untreated, this condition may progress and lead to scarring
12. When examining the condition shown in Image F using
a slit lamp, which one of the following is TRUE?
a) A magnification of 6x is sufficient to visualise this lesion
b) A magnification of 40x is sufficient to visualise this lesion
c) The lesion is best seen using retro-illumination
d) The lesion is best seen using direct illumination
F

OT CET Video
C-15345: Contact Lenses: Latest
Technologies and Current
Attitudes Amongst Children
In association with our sponsors CIBA Vision, OT Multimedia is
pleased to bring you two presentations from CIBA’s ‘Maintaining the
Edge’ and ‘Fit for Life’ Roadshows.
Beginning with footage filmed at the CIBA Vision ‘Maintaining the
Edge’ Roadshows, Dr Christine Purslow (Cardiff University) discusses
the latest developments in contact lenses, including approaches
taken to improve comfort and vision.
Section 2 continues with Dr Purslow considering toric and
multifocal lens designs, assessing of the risk of infection in CL
wearers and predicting future applications of contact lenses.
In the final section Professor David Thomson (City University)
provides an overview of the results of an investigation undertaken
study the attitudes of secondary school children to vision correction,
including their attitude towards correction with contact lenses.
You must be logged in to the website before you can watch this video and take the exam.
The video is one hour in length and is accompanied by 12 MCQs accredited with 2 free
contact lens CET points for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians.
A hint button is now available for each question
and will take you to the section of the video
that relates to the question.
The closing date for MCQ submission
is February 28 2011.
SPONSORED BY
www.optometry.co.uk/cet

CET CONTINUING
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
1 FREE CET POINT
Approved for: Optometrists
Dispensing Opticians
OT CET content supports Optometry Giving Sight
Having trouble signing in to take an exam?
View CET FAQ Go to www.optometry.co.uk
Vision dysfunction in
Alzheimer’s disease
AGEING VISION PART 3 COURSE CODE: C-15561 O
Geoff Shayler BSc, FCOptom, FCSO
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive and fatal brain condition. 1 It
destroys brain cells, causing memory loss and problems with thinking
and behaviour, severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social
life and requiring permanent care. AD gets worse over time and it is the
sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. 1 This article continues
the series on ageing vision by describing the features of this devastating
condition, in order that practitioners may be able to contribute to
early detection and improving quality of life for suffering patients.
Worrying statistics
There are currently 700,000 people with
dementia in the UK with a projection of
1.4 million in 30 years time. 2 Two-thirds
of people with dementia are women and
64% of people living in care homes have a
form of dementia. About 60,000 deaths per
year are directly attributable to dementia,
whilst delaying the onset of dementia by
five years would reduce this rate by 30,000
a year. Two-thirds of people with dementia
live in the community, being cared for
by family carers, whilst the remainder
live in a care home. AD accounts for 50-
70% of dementia cases, the prevalence
of which is age-related (Figure 1). 2
degree. 5,-7 Disturbances of the visual
system can pre-date other manifestations
of dementia. 8 Unfortunately,
because of characteristically vague
symptomology and normal “eye sight”
examination findings at presentation,
the diagnosis may be overlooked.
Patients with AD usually
seek an ophthalmic consultation
because of disturbances of pattern
processing and recognition. Typical
symptoms experienced include:
intermediate (eg, computer screens)
and/or near, which is not fully relieved
with spectacles
small print
eyes
reading
objects, and/or knocking over
ornaments, etc.
Difficulty with near reading is the most
common symptom and may present as
skipping of words or lines on a page,
dyslexia) and/or blurred vision; this can
progress to alexia in advanced disease. 9
Other well-documented difficulties
include an inability to recognise faces
(prosopagnosia), an inability to pick out
individual objects in a group, and/or
disorders of visuo-spatial processing. 10
Many of these symptoms can be
41
11/02/11 CET
Visual variant of Alzheimer's
disease
More than 60% of people with AD have a
decline in one or more visual function(s). 3,4
AD causes vision impairment not by
affecting the eye but by deterioration of
neurological function within the brain.
Patients have difficulty perceiving motion,
depth and colour, rather than problems
with clarity. However, not everyone
with the disease will experience visual
and perceptual problems to the same
Figure 1
Prevalence of dementia with increasing age. Reproduced with kind permission of Sube Banerjee, professor
of mental health and ageing, The Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London

CET CONTINUING
EDUCATION
& TRAINING
1 FREE CET POINT
Approved for: Optometrists
Dispensing Opticians
OT CET content supports Optometry Giving Sight
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explained by defects of visual
function that research has
found to be causative in AD, as
summarised in Tables 1 and 2. 11-13
Motion
One of the most debilitating
effects of AD is a tendency
to become lost in familiar
surroundings. 14
Medical
researchers have commonly
attributed this loss of orientation
to mental confusion. 15 However,
studies suggest that people
with AD become lost, not
because they are confused,
and visuo-spatial (location) skills, 19
but because their visual
identification (parvo-cellular stream) 18
processing associated with akinetopsia 22 affecting ability to judge depth. This may
(motion blindness) is impaired. 16 make shadows on the floor or a dark rug
found that some people with AD are
unable to sense movement and instead
their view of the world is like a series of
us see. Indeed, people with AD had more
than twice as much difficulty interpreting
patterns than either healthy young people
or healthy elderly people. 17 It was theorised
that this deficit is a result of damage to
the magno- and konio-cellular pathways
look like holes in the ground, despite a
18
accepted impression that AD is simply
a disorder of memory, highlighting the
visual problems that can be caused,
resulting in a synergistic deficit of memory
is often one of the first symptoms that
presents in AD, and could be useful
in early diagnosis of the disease. 20-22
of the brain (rather than the parvocellular
system) (Figure 2). 18 In addition,
people with AD may have impaired form
Contrast and contrast
sensitivity
Visual Function
Visual Acuity
Colour vision
Stereoacuity
Contrast Sensitivity
Motion Perception
Evoked responses
Figure 2
Areas of the brain associated with form and motion processing, identified with
MRI. Reproduced with kind permission of Justin O'Brien, Brunel University
Affect of AD
Normal for age
Table 1
Summary of visual deficits in Alzheimer’s disease. 11
Deficits in colour discrimination particularly on the blue axis
Deficits in both monocular and binocular depth perception
Deficits in seeing both low and high spatial frequencies
Deficits in motion discrimination
Deficits in Flash Visual Evoked Potential (FVEP) and Pattern
Electroretinogram (PERG) particularly for high temporal
frequencies
difference in luminance between
an object and its background,
which can be just detected.
ability to detect contrast is reduced
in people with AD (Figure 3), 21,24
and this is an important factor
that has a significant impact on
is very relevant to the task of
reading, since people with AD
detect text in, for example,
phone books, magazines and
newspapers. It can even impact
the detection of objects in the
surrounding environment and
compounding the deficits of motion
discussed in the previous section.
cellular visual pathway), has been
shown to be deficient in patients with
AD, as measured using both the Nicolet
sensitivity wall chart. 21,24 This reduced
contrast sensitivity can develop in as
little as six months of the onset of the
disease. Increasing stimulus contrast
may therefore be an effective means of
enhancing cognitive performance in AD. 25
Visual attention and visual
short-term memory
important visual process for most daily
tasks in which visual information (eg,
an object or location of an object) must
be maintained across a substantial delay.
delays, which causes a suppression of
a limited storage capacity, attentional
processes must regulate the information
that enters the visual memory. This transfer
appears to be a slow, effortless process

suggesting a role for focal attention. Once
themselves become objects of attention.
Attention not only influences entry of
storage demonstrating the multiple effects
be impaired in patients with AD, 26 with
43
Colour vision
with age, for example due to changes
in the pigmentation of the ocular media
(eg, “yellowing” of the crystalline lens).
However, for people with AD, there seems
to be even greater deficits in the ability
to see colours, particularly in the shorter
wavelength, blue-end of the spectrum. 27
Though a study by Pache found that when
using the Ishihara test, patients with AD
were more likely to make errors on plates
5, 9 and 10-15, 28 the Ishihara colour
vision test is unsuitable for assessment
University Test or Farnsworth D15 test
ought to be used instead. Indeed, colour
vision testing is important, but rarely
carried out routinely on elderly patients,
because attempts to improve colour
contrast can help individuals with AD
to improve both short-term memory and
spatial awareness, allowing them to find
their way around easier; 29 the colour red
should be used to make items stand out. 30
Visual field assessment
to assess in patients with AD, are usually
full in the early stages of the disease. As the
disease progresses, there can be measurable
visual field loss reliably detected by
automated perimetry; most notably this is
Technology (FDT) (eg, Zeiss FDT field
screener). 31 Histopathological studies
have shown that patients with AD exhibit
significant selective loss of neural elements
Figure 3
The effect of reduced contrast for a person with Alzheimer’s disease
within the visual cortex, particularly
affecting the magno-cellular pathway,
which could account for this visual field
loss. 11 It certainly appears that FDT visual
fields screeners are more sensitive to this
type of defect over standard threshold
fields tests (see article 1 in this series, OT,
January 14, 2011), 33 although threshold
Structure
Eye
Lens
Aqueous
Humour
Optic Nerve
Retina
Sub-cortical
Visual
Centres
Lateral
Geniculate
Nucleus
(LGN)
Pulvinar
Superior
Colliculus
Affects of AD
β-amyloid is present
in lens fibres
β-amyloid is present
Nerve degeneration
Ganglion cell loss
β-amyloid deposition
Reduction in
thickness of RNFL
β-amyloid plaques
β-amyloid plaques
β-amyloid plaques
& Neurofibrillary
Tangles (NFT)
Table 2
Summary of visual pathology associated with
Alzheimer’s disease. 12,13
field tests are more appropriate for
monitoring progression of a combination
of diseases such as co-existing glaucoma.
Glaucoma
When patients with AD also have glaucoma,
the course of vision loss related to glaucoma
is much more rapid and aggressive than in
those patients who have glaucoma but not
AD. Originally it was thought that glaucoma
affects visual function at the initial site of
neural activity, the retinal ganglion cells,
and ultimately destroys their afferent
axons at the nerve fibre layer in the retina. 34
However, it has been suggested that the first
sign of injury to the neurological system in
glaucoma actually occurs within the brain,
with neural damage being similar to that
35
AD impacts cells that may be considered
terminal or intermediary in the visual
pathway in the brain, with loss of nerve
fibre connections and atrophy, thus
reducing neural input. Pathological
evidence of neural degeneration has been
correlated with clinical, optic nerve head,
visual field, and neuro-radiology findings.
Alzheimer’s disease and driving
A study by Frittelli 36 found simple visual
reaction times were significantly longer
in patients with AD compared to a group
with mild cognitive impairment and
healthy controls. The study also revealed
that measures of driving competence were
borderline significantly poorer, when
assessed by simulation; this included
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the length of journey time,
the number of infractions
(omission of stop at pedestrian
crossings and speed limit
violations), the number of stops
at traffic lights, the mean time
to collision, and the number
of off-road events. This study
reflects the importance of
visual deficits in AD and the
potential impact this can
have on driving performance.
Indeed, once a licence
holder has been diagnosed
with a notifiable medical
condition (eg, PD, AD, and glaucoma)
37
Alzheimer’s disease and falls
Due to changes in the brain that are caused
by AD, it has been reported that the risk of
falling is significantly increased. 38
reaction times and difficulty recognising
changes in the height or depth of a step can,
for example, lead to tripping and falling; such
changes are likely to be compounded by the
types of visual deficit described previously
ordination, combined with poor memory,
can make it difficult for a person with AD
to both get from one place to another and
avoid hazardous objects at the same time. 38
Melatonin and Alzheimer’s
disease
With ageing there is a decline in both
serotonin transporters 39 and serotonin
receptors 40
the precursor for melatonin, which as
described in article 2 (see OT, January 28,
2011) is a hormone produced by the pineal
gland at night and influences circadian and
seasonal rhythms, most notably the sleepwake
cycle and seasonal reproduction.
Melatonin production reduces as we age
(Figure 4) and elderly people with AD
have half the blood levels of melatonin
as normal people of the same age; this is
particularly relevant because melatonin is
Melatonin (pg/ml)
Melatonin peaks
in early childhood
Newborns produce
minimal melatonin.
Puberty occurs as
melatonin declines
Melatonin continues
to decline in middle age.
Age (years)
Older people produce
negligible amounts of
melatonin.
Figure 4
Change in plasma melatonin with age. Reproduced with kind permission of Franz
Halberg MD, professor of laboratory medicine and pathology, University of Minnesota
important for inhibiting the aggregation
of ß-amyloid protein into ß-sheets; 41 the
ß-amyloid protein, which is the most
commonly implicated marker of AD,
is most neurotoxic and most resistant
to proteolytic degradation when it
aggregates into beta-sheets, thus affecting
normal brain function. Melatonin also
reduces the hyperphosphorylation
of tau protein, which leads to the
neurofibrillary tangles of AD (Table 2). 42
may be a feasible “treatment” for AD. It has
been reported that sleep patterns improved
and mood problems reduced in a groups
of patients that were given extra melatonin
and extra light. 43,44 Increasing light alone
(ie, no extra melatonin) was enough to
reduce cognitive deterioration by as much
as 5%, whilst depressive symptoms fell by
19%. 45 This finding compares well with
treatments such as Aricept, which are
designed to slow the progression of AD. 46
Eye health complications
Trust 47 have recently expressed extreme
concern that patients with dementia are
failing to have regular eye exams, with
from typical age-related sight problems
such as cataract, glaucoma and age-related
macular degeneration. Assessment and
treatment of these problems can improve
posture, walking ability, as
well as the visual aspects of
motion awareness, contrast,
vision, allowing an improved
etc. and more importantly
Summary
AD does not lead to refractive
visual problems alone, but
can have a major effect on
the visual processing systems
of life. Given the diagnostic limitations
attention has focused on 'higher visual
to identify, diagnose and manage patients
with AD sooner. The role of the optometrist
in meeting this challenge will be
discussed in the next article of this series.
About the author
private practice in Dorset. His special
interests involve developing and utilising
conditions that are affected by dysfunction
or damage to the neural pathways,
mild traumatic brain injury, stroke,
Further reading
References
For the module questions to this
article, please turn to page 49.

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How to succeed with
multifocal contact lenses
COURSE CODE: C-15605 O/CL
Dr Cameron Hudson BSc (Hons), PhD MCOptom
The prescribing of first generation multifocal contact lenses a decade ago was
often a frustrating process, yielding low success rates amongst patients. Even
today, many practitioners are reluctant to fit multifocal lenses despite significant
improvements in materials, designs and parameter ranges, 1 which provide
better visual outcomes 2 and more satisfied patients. 1 This article reviews the
current status of multifocal contact lenses and guides practitioners on how
to reliably achieve high levels of success and satisfaction amongst wearers.
In the UK, the presbyopic population A huge disparity exists between the
represents the largest growing, yet least common desire amongst presbyopes
developed, segment of the contact lens
market. 3 Contact lens options available
for presbyopes include multifocal contact
lenses, monovision, or a combination of
single vision distance contact lenses with
reading spectacles. In light of the potential
to both increase the number of patients
who can benefit from contact lenses and to
generate additional revenue, it is interesting
to consider the lingering factors that prevent
practitioners from tackling the ‘presbyopic
challenge’. For many practitioners, it
may be that a previous ‘bad’ experience
limits their enthusiasm for multifocal
lenses. For others, it may be a fear of
failure to achieve promised outcomes, or
an uncertainty regarding what to expect
over the short-, medium- and long-term.
Ever-increasingly, presbyopes enjoy better
health and increased vitality during the
middle years of life. The range of activities
carried out and attitudes towards physical
appearance have changed substantially over
the past 20 years. These factors, along with
other social trends, are likely to make visual
correction options that are uninhibiting
and burden-free increasingly attractive.
for ‘reduced spectacle dependence’ and
the actual use of contact lenses in this
population. 4 As a result, manufacturers
have applied a range of optical principles
to produce different multifocal contact
lens corrections, which can be applied
to suit the individual eye or functional
requirement, of the patient. Similarly,
contact lens materials have evolved to
improve oxygen transmission (eg, silicone
hydrogels), reduce wetting angles, and
resist deposition and dehydration, in
order to minimise the impact of dry eye.
The visual environment of the typical
presbyope has also evolved at a rapid
pace, with less emphasis on near work at
a relatively close distance (40cm or closer)
in down gaze and greater emphasis on
visual display units (VDU) and mobile
phones at a range of distances from
40cm (and closer) to 80cm (and beyond).
There is a common view amongst
practitioners that correcting presbyopia
with monovision requires less chair time
and yields higher success rates compared
with multifocal contact lenses. 5 However,
over the past two years, practitioners
Figure 1
Schematic to indicate the generic design principle
of a centre near multifocal contact lens
throughout the UK and Europe have begun
to show favour towards multifocal lenses. 6
In the UK alone, this segment of the industry
is growing at a rate of approximately 5,000
new wearers per quarter. 6 Despite these
new fitting behaviours there is still a long
way to go before multifocal contact lenses
to correct presbyopia becomes ‘the norm’.
What are the principles of current
multifocal contact lenses?
The latest generation of soft multifocal
contact lenses are based on the principle
of simultaneous vision whereby multiple
powers are placed within the pupil at the
same time. Therefore, light both from the
distant and near portions of the lens is
focused onto the retina simultaneously.
This description, however, tends to overcomplicate
the reality, which is that
when a patient views a distant object
the image
quality will be ‘affected’
by the area of relative positive power
(near zone). The reverse is true when
viewing near objects. Thus, for any given
simultaneous lens design, the amount to
which the image is ‘affected’ depends on
a careful balance of the following factors:
optic zones
distance/near zone junction
zone junction
(centre-near vs. centre-distance and/or
concentric design)
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the eye
The performance and advantages of
one lens type over another cannot be
simply attributed to, for example, whether
a lens is centre distance vs. centre near
or whether a lens has a higher or lower
add power. There are two commercially
available centre-near silicone hydrogel
multifocal contact lenses with aspheric
Such lenses achieve a different balance
between distance and near vision due to
differences in the specific lens design.
For example, the Acuvue Oasys for
presbyopia (Johnson and Johnson Vision
Care) uses a centre-near concentric
ring design, which is believed to
offer control of the distance/near
balance according to ambient light.
What do patients think about
multifocal contact lenses?
Several studies have investigated the
objective and subjective visual performance
of multifocal contact lenses, specifically
by comparing them to monovision.
Objective assessments included visual
acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity
(CS) 7,8 whilst subjective assessments have
centred on intent to purchase, satisfaction,
and questionnaire responses. 2,9-11
When comparing the objective visual
performance of monovision and the
et al. 7 found significant differences in
the performance of the two modalities.
Most notable was the improvement
in high contrast distance and near VA
whilst wearing monovision (p

at the initial fitting stage is commonly cited
by lens manufacturers as one of the key
milestones in achieving success. However,
this should not constitute an opportunity
for the practitioner to repudiate all
responsibility for what is about to happen.
The practitioner’s choice of language can
have a large impact on the success/uptake
of multifocal lenses once fitted. Describing
the visual outcomes with terms such as
‘slightly compromised vision’ or ‘vision
that is not as good as spectacles’ does
not provide the patient with either a
positive or necessarily realistic outlook
on what might be achieved. It is far better
to describe the visual outcomes using
terms such as ‘functional all-round vision’
or achieving ‘a better balance between
distance and near vision’. In the broadest
terms, practitioners should describe what
the patient stands to gain rather than what
they stand to lose (Table 1). This approach
will improve the likelihood of success
and offer patients a compelling reason
to proceed; the approach should be akin
to recommending varifocal spectacles
to a new wearer by being realistic about
expectations and having a positive outlook.
How do I know which lens power
to select initially?
There is no “one size fits all” approach to
multifocal contact lenses. Each lens has its
own ‘manufacturer approved’ set of fitting
guidelines, which should be followed
for every new patient. Following the
manufacturer’s guidelines will increase
the rate of success and reduce unnecessary
Words/phrases to avoid
Compromise
Trade-off
Not perfect
Not as good as spectacles
Loss of crispness/slightly hazy/foggy
chair time. In the same way that not all
patients will adapt to varifocal spectacles,
it would be unrealistic to expect every
patient to adapt to multifocal contact lenses.
However, by following the manufacturer’s
fitting guidelines, practitioners can
expect success rates of 72-79%. 1 The
manufacturer’s fitting guidelines are
derived from experience gained during lens
development, often involving hundreds,
if not thousands, of patients. 1 Following
the manufacturers fitting guidelines also
serves as an important indicator of the
point at which no further adjustments to
lens power should be made, for example,
in the relatively small percentage of
instances where the patient doesn’t
achieve the visual outcome they require.
Adaptation
Table 1
Guidance on communication when discussing multifocal contact lenses
Figure 3
Example case summary of a presbyopic multifocal contact lens fitting
Unlike most other types of contact lenses,
multifocal lenses require a period of
adaptation in order for the practitioner
to obtain a true sense of the visual
performance. 13 Adaptation is best thought of
Words/phrases to use
Functional vision
Balance between distance and near
Re-prioritisation of vision
Reduced dependence on reading glasses
Likely to use your reading glasses 60-90% less
in two stages; short-term (20-30 minutes)
and long-term (1 week and beyond). In
an ideal situation a practitioner would
be able to assess the best possible
visual performance achievable shortly
after initial lens application, giving
an indication of success or failure,
but in practice this is not the case.
Short-term adaptation
A period of 20-30 minutes is usually
required for the lenses to stabilise and
for any initial physiological reaction (eg,
lacrimation) to pass. During this time is
it advisable that the patient leaves the
consulting room and be given opportunity
to perform a mixture of visual tasks eg,
looking into the distance, reading the
time on their watch, viewing their mobile
phone, alternating between distance
and near vision tasks etc. in a real world
environment. Upon their return, patients
should be encouraged to subjectively
score their distance and near vision eg, on
a scale of 1-10, to provide the practitioner
with a relative indication of their
satisfaction. This is the recommended
clinical standard 2 and provides the
practitioner with a benchmark to work
against in order to obtain the optimal
balance of distance and near vision when
refining the lens power. Furthermore,
subjective grading of vision may be
sensitive to small changes in lens power
that cannot be identified using objective
methods; equally, it has been shown that
47
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where objective vision appears reduced
or improved there may be no correlation
with a patient’s subjective opinion. 13
48
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Long-term adaptation
As for first time varifocal spectacle wearers,
patients who are new to multifocal contact
lenses commonly require a longer period
of adaptation to get used to their new
vision. This is where the real trial of the
lens begins. It is important to fulfil this
part of the lens fitting process as subjective
performance of the lenses can change
significantly from the initial findings. 13
Improving outcomes
Guidance note 1
It is important to check that the distance
vision is optimised. In general, this
process involves measuring the objective
VA and subjective opinion binocularly;
add as much plus power to the distance
prescription as the patient will accept,
up to the point where further plus power
causes a reduction in VA. 14 This will
enable the add power to be kept to a
minimum. The process should be done
dominant eye and increase plus power
non-dominant eye. Use handheld trial
lenses to carry out the over-refraction and
avoid using a phoropter or trial frame
(Figure 2). If minus lenses are required to
improve distance vision act cautiously.
Only reduce the plus power if there is a
distinct improvement in subjective vision.
contrast improvements when overrefracting
with minus powered lenses.
Guidance note 2
Only when the distance power is
optimised should near vision be assessed,
since small changes to the distance
power can have a profound effect on
near vision. 1,14 Aim to keep the near add
power as low as possible. If subjective
Figure 4
Example case summary of an emerging presbyopic multifocal contact lens fitting
near vision is not close to an acceptable
level consider adding a small amount of
positive power to the distance component
in the non-dominant eye (eg, +0.50D). 1
Guidance note 3
Follow the manufacturer’s fitting
guidelines, even if a patient isn’t achieving
patient is willing and that they objectively
achieve a standard of vision that from
a medico-legal perspective is deemed
acceptable, encourage an extended
trial (4-7 days) and re-assess the visual
performance after this time. If, at the end
of the extended trial, there are no further
adjustments to the lens power, formulate
a succinct way to summarise what you
have achieved (Figures 3 and 4). This will
allow the patient to formulate in their own
mind about whether the vision achieved
justifies the lenses being dispensed.
Which method of correction do
presbyopes prefer?
that suits all presbyopes for all activities
it is important that clinicians consider
all options to satisfy an individual’s
lifestyle and visual demands. This may
involve combining the benefits of several
correction options in order that the relative
advantages and disadvantages can be
maximised and minimised, respectively.
It has been demonstrated that when
spectacle-wearing presbyopes are given the
opportunity to try multifocal contact lenses,
the overwhelming majority (78%) chose to
use both to combine the benefits of each. 15
Summary
Multifocal contact lenses have evolved
significantly over the past decade and
increasingly practitioners are fitting them.
However, the presbyopic population
remains the least developed segment of
the contact lens market and thus presents
a very real opportunity to the industry.
Emerging presbyopes stand to gain the
most from multifocal contact lenses, as
they have greater familiarity with contact
lenses and possess a wider variety of
visual requirements than more established
presbyopes. Adopting a fitting strategy
that conforms to the manufacturers fitting
guidelines will improve the success
rate and reduce unnecessary chair time.
during the pre-fitting discussion, also
plays a significant role in the outcome
achieved. It takes practice to achieve
high and reliable success rates with
seek guidance from experienced peers or
consult with contact lens manufacturers
for fitting guidance and education.
About the author
Dr Cameron Hudson is the professional
References
See http://www.optometry.co.uk/clinical/
index. Click on the article title and then
download “references”

Module questions
PLEASE NOTE There is only one correct answer. All CET is now FREE. Enter online. Please complete online by midnight
on March 14 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 March 21 2011.
Course code: C-15561 O
1. Which of the following statements is FALSE?
a) Currently an estimated 700,000 people in the UK have dementia
b) Two thirds of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease
c) 90% of people with Alzheimer’s disease have visual function decline
d) Visual system disturbances can pre-date manifestations of dementia
2. Which of the following is a typical visual symptom of Alzheimer’s
disease?
a) Difficulty with reading at near
b) Blurred vision, not due to refractive error or eye disease
c) Difficulty picking out objects in a group
d) All of the above
3. Alzheimer’s disease does NOT affect which of the following?
a) Tear ducts
b) Crystalline lens
c) Optic nerve
d) Retina
4. Motion processing is NOT associated with which of the following?
a) Dysfunction of magno- and konio-cellular processing
b) Dysfunction of form identification
c) Difficulty interpreting patterns
d) Mental confusions
5. Which of the following statements about assessing visual function in
Alzheimer’s disease is FALSE?
a) The Vistech chart reveals loss of high spatial frequency contrast sensitivity
b) Frequency doubling technology is preferred for testing visual fields
c) The City University test is preferred for assessing colour vision
d) Threshold visual fields are more suitable for monitoring co-morbidity with
glaucoma
6. Which of the following conditions requires an individual
possessing a driving licence to notify the DVLA?
a) Alzheimer’s disease
b) Parkinson’s disease
c) Glaucoma
d) All of the above
Course code: C-15605 O/CL
1. Which age group of patients is LEAST represented within the
contact lens industry?
a. 20-27 years
b. 28-35 years
c. 35-45 years
d. 45 years and above
2. The performance of a simultaneous design multifocal contact lens
is dependent upon which of the following factors?
a. Relative size of the distance and near optic zones
b. Relative position of the near optic zones on the lens
c. Pupil size and ambient light
d. All of the above
3. According to Woods et al. which of the following statements reflects
patient opinion on multifocal contact lenses?
a. Patients generally prefer monovision over multifocal contact lenses
b. Patients generally prefer multifocal contact lenses over monovision
c. Multifocal contact lenses and monovision are liked equally
d. Neither multifocal contact lenses nor monovision are liked by patients
4. Which of the following terms would be MOST appropriate to use
when describing the visual outcome with multifocal contact lenses?
a. “They provide a slight loss of crispness”
b. “They provide functional vision for distance and near”
c. “They provide a compromise between distance and near”
d. “They provide vision which is not as clear as with spectacles”
5. When refining the multifocal contact lens power, practitioners
should:
a. Aim to provide the most plus distance refraction
b. Preferably use a phoropter
c. Assess vision monocularly
d. Assess vision in low room illumination
6. When given the opportunity to experience multifocal contact
lenses, what proportion of varifocal wearers preferred to combine
the benefits of both spectacles and contact lenses?
a. 35%
b. 78%
c. 54%
d. 63%
49
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Required full-time 4-5 days a week
For live further details bookshop please write to:
Jim Osborne
James Osborne Optometrist
1-3 Swan Lane
Evesham Worcs WR11 4PA
Or e-mail jim@jamesosborne.com
enewsletter
EVESHAM
Dispensing Optician
VRICS
ESSEX - OPTOMETRIST
Required for Independent Practice.
Between 1 to 2 1/2 days per week.
Days to suit. Full support staff.
Contact lens experience an advantage.
Please phone: 07766708378
Or e-mail: loh.optom@yahoo.co.uk
Locum wanted N Lincs
in well equipped practice
with experienced friendly
support staff
No dispensing, fees plus fuel allowance
E-mail: john@jfrt.eclipse
or phone 0114 262 07 23
OPTOMETRIST
Based in Inverness with a quality,
local Independent group
Opportunity to develop clinical skills and
work in three different style practices
Ideally full-time position, but flexible package
possible for the right candidate
Attractive salary including all professional fees
and annual CET provision
Exciting option to be involved in a new
practice venture in 2011
Please call 01349 863376 and ask for Gideon
Or email gideon@goskirkandmcginty.co.uk
A new stage for your
professional expertise
CET
CooperVision has grown to become one of the largest
manufacturers of contact lenses in the world. Our pioneering
approach and commitment to innovation has enabled us to
develop some of the most advanced contact lens designs and
respected brands in the industry.
tv
Professional Services Manager
£Competitive plus benefits
Home-based with extensive UK travel
In this high-profile role, you will provide clinical support and
expertise to eye-care practitioners in the use of our products.
This will include advising on contact lens fitting, developing
and delivering training programmes for practice staff,
preparing articles and representing the company at external
events. A qualified Optometrist with sound clinical and
contact lens fitting experience, you will bring excellent
communication and presentation skills. The ability to build
strong working relationships at senior level is also essential.
Clinical Specialists
£Competitive
4 days per week
Providing clinical consultation and business support services to
the Company in relation to eye-care practitioners, including
writing papers and articles, you will deal with fitting issues
that arise from eye-care practitioners, directly or through
training of appropriate staff. You will also develop and
implement programmes for the training of staff in a retail
environment and prepare and present at externally
organised CET events that support the Company philosophy.
You will ideally be a qualified CLO with excellent
communication skills.
To apply, please send your CV to lallen@coopervision.co.uk
Closing date: 28th February 2011.
optometrytoday
live
bookshop
CET
online
enewsletter
VRICS
tv

Lay Advisory Panel – Optometric Member Vacancy
The College of Optometrists is looking for an Optometrist to serve on a voluntary basis on its
Lay Advisory Panel (LAP).
The College is the Professional, Scientifi c and Examining Body for Optometry in the UK. It
has a vision of a society where policy makers and the public understand the unique role
optometrists play in providing the best clinical and ethical standards for the improvement
and conservation of human vision and the welfare of patients. The College is a membership
organisation and registered charity working for the public benefi t, its members include
optometrists in the UK and overseas, as well as student members.
The panel normally meets three times a year and plays an important role through raising
issues of public concern and contributing a lay perspective to College activities, documents
and guidelines.
If you are a qualifi ed Optometrist and Member or Fellow of the College (but not a member of
the College’s Council who are represented separately on the Panel) and have the enthusiasm
and commitment to provide a practitioners viewpoint in the area of eye health, please contact
us to fi nd out more.
The optometric member should act as an individual rather than on behalf of any organisation.
Panel members do not receive any remuneration, but all travel, subsistence and childcare
expenses are reimbursed.
The College is committed to providing equal opportunities for all irrespective of race, age,
gender, disability, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, transgender and working
patterns, and to the principle of public appointments on merit, with independent assessments,
openness and transparency of process.
Application is via application form only. This can be downloaded from www.collegeoptometrists.org
or requested from Wingyee Chan at 42 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NG.
Tel 020 7766 4341.
Closing date for applications Friday 11 March 2011.
Registered as a Charity No: 1060431

“I made a
difference to her life.”
Sarah has worked for The Outside Clinic for 2
years, the feeling of pride she gets from delivering
a much needed service makes this her ideal job.
We need more people like Sarah
Ready for a change? Give us a call today.
For the latest optometrist
vacancies please visit
www.outsideclinic.com/vacancies.html
Contact Jim Gilbert for more details:
tel: 01793 648607
email: jim@outsideclinic.com

JOBS
To place an advertisement call 020 7878 2313
or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
Medics Pro
Ophthalmic
54
11/02/11 JOB
A different approach to
Optical recruitment
Why are we different?
Visit www.jonesoptical.co.uk
and click the tab
“Bespoke Recruitment”
Or call us on
0121 4550774
For your
eyes only
Market Leading pay
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Our promise to you is a
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Call now to find out
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• Optometrists /
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• Laser eye surgery
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• Contact lens opticians
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• Domiciliary optometrists
• Franchise opportunities
• All new qualified
welcome
Contact our team at opt@urbanrec.co.uk or visit us at
www.urbanrec.co.uk | Call now on 0844 375 234
The Urban Recruitment
Group of Companies
Therapeutic Prescribing Course
Glasgow Caledonian University offers GOC accredited courses for Optometrists training to become Additional
Supply, Supplementary or Independent Prescribers.
University-Based Training:
• Three modules (£630 each) of part-time distance-learning, each module supplemented by 2 days of lectures and
practical workshops (CET approved) at Glasgow Caledonian University.
• Topics include: Conjunctivitis & Blepharitis; Uveitis & Scleritis; Keratitis; Dry Eye; Glaucoma; Gonioscopy;
Punctum Plug Fitting; Ocular First Aid; Common Systemic Conditions & Medications; Assessing Vital Signs.
The next course starts with a 2 day workshop on
Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th of March, 2011
Visit our web-page or contact us for further information and an application form:
Web: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/PrescribingOptometrist
Phone: 0141 331 3379
Email: PrescribingOptom@gcu.ac.uk
Funding Opportunity: NHS Education for Scotland (NES) will fund University-based
training, limited to the first 66 applications from Scottish based Optometrists.

MARKETPLACE
To place an advertisement call
020 7878 2313 or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
Accountants
Computer Systems
Computer systems
From
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Over 20 years
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Accountants
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For A Free Consultation Contact Desirie Lea ACA on: 0151 348 8400
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VRICS
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The world’s first web-based, ophthalmic
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020 7878 2313 or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
Computer systems
Finance
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Transform your waiting area
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If you would like
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and an extra 10,000
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Today online website enewsletter VRICS
please call
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EQUIPMENT FINANCE
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MARKETPLACE
To place an advertisement call
020 7878 2313 or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
Instruments
Lens cleaning cloths
57
Membership Byelaws
NOTICE is hereby given that at a meeting on 19 January
2011 the Association of Optometrists’ Board of Directors
amended and adopted the following byelaws of the
Association:
Lenses
Practice fittings
Optom today advert .indd 1 26/01/2011 10:33
optometrytoday
Practice fittings
11/02/11 MARKETPLACE
l
1. Membership Byelaws.
Byelaw 5 (b). The AOP will provide vicarious liability
insurance for lay-owned practices and retrospective cover
for members who leave the AOP but continue to practise.
2. Council Byelaws
The byelaws set out the change in constituencies for the
elections to Council which
will be introduced in 2012 and transitional arrangements
for council elections. From 2012 all constituencies for
elected optometrist members will be geographical.
a. Byelaw 3 and Schedule 1: Transitional Arrangements.
i. 2011 – There will be no Council elections in 2011.
ii. 2012 – Elections will be held for the councillors to
represent the new geographical constituencies.
iii. 2013 – There will be no Council elections in 2013.
iv. 2014-2016. One third of the seats elected in
2012 will next be elected in 2014, one third in 2015
and the remaining third in 2016 and every three
years thereafter, respectively. Lots will be drawn to
decide the constituencies to be elected in 2014, 2015
and 2016.
online
enew
b. Byelaw 4 and Schedule 2 set out the new geographical
constituencies.
c. Byelaw 35. The single transferable vote for council
elections has been revoked. In future candidates
receiving the most votes will be elected to serve
on Council.
d. Former Byelaw 8 (Office and Retirement of
Councillors) has been revoked to reflect the legal
position, removing the age limit for councillors.
The salient changes to the byelaws are set out above. In
addition the Board approved minor and consequential
amendments to the byelaws. The byelaws in full are on
the AOP’s website, www.aop.org.uk or will be sent to
members upon written application to the Association at
61 Southwark Street, London, SE1 0HL.
Practice fittings
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MARKETPLACE
To place an advertisement call
020 7878 2313 or email haley.willmott@tenalps.com
Practice fitting
58
11/02/11 MARKETPLACE
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To discuss your options with one of our designers or
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8 CET
POINTS *
Where will the
journey take you?
Malcolm aged 9
Malcolm aged 9
Malcolm in his teens
Malcolm in his late
twenties
Malcolm in his thirties
Malcolm in his golden years
Leading Thinking Conferences. 27th March – 7th April 2011.
This all-day, free-to-attend conference brings together the leading minds in the optical profession.
Featuring lectures, a debate and the opportunity to ‘ask the experts’ over lunch. ** It’s a not-to-be-missed
experience to share in and discover the latest developments in clinical practice and management.
27th March Manchester
29th March Cardiff
31st March Leeds
3rd April
5th April
7th April
London
Birmingham
London
Demand is expected to be high,
so book early to avoid disappointment.
Book now at www.thejourneyoflife.co.uk
or call our booking line on 0845 519 3831.
* Includes two CET points from video quiz.
** Lunch-time session. Non CET. Places are limited.