Dispensing Optics February 2023

22.

The team from the ABDO will be out in force at 100% Optical. Visit stand B210 to meet the ABDO president, vice president and staff at different times throughout the show. All our members can take advantage of a coffee, a chair and a catch up from 10.00am each day.

EDUCATE YOURSELF WITH CPD

ABDO’s CPD team will be running two CPD discussion workshops each day of the conference.

THE DISPENSING OPTICIAN:

THE HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONAL with Alex Webster

This discussion workshop will explore the relevant legislation and regulation to establish the extent of the role of the dispensing optician in the UK. Optical care in the UK is commonly provided by a multidisciplinary team and it is essential that all team members understand the abilities and scope of practice of the Dispensing Optician.

THE MANAGEMENT OF PTOSIS with Cheryl Hill

This discussion workshop will use small group discussion and provided equipment to show an understanding of the causes of ptosis, discuss different types of correction for it and take the relevant measurements to fit a frame with a ptosis aid.

Come to London and meet the ABDO team at 100% Optical

ABDO CLINICAL - Foreign body removal demonstrations

Discover the essential kit for foreign body removal and have a go with expert guidance. Saturday at 10am, 12noon and 3pm. Sunday at 10am and 12noon.

The Conversation you must have - DOs & Myopia Management

An informal drop in session to talk about how myopia management could work in your practice and learn about axial length measurement. Saturday at 1 1am, 1pm and 4pm. Sunday at 1 1am and 12.45pm.

MEET THE ABDO PRESIDENT and VICE PRESIDENT

Members can talk to ABDO President Daryl Newsome who will be available Saturday and Sunday 2-4pm. ABDO Vice President Kevin Gutsell will also be available on the stand from 10-12noon on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

ABDO EXAMINATIONS AND REGISTRATION

Meet a representative of the examinations team Saturday and Sunday 10-3pm to discuss any questions you have, whether you are a student or supervisor.

ABDO MEMBERSHIP

Want to know about your membership benefits? Meet Katie Docker, Head of ABDO membership Saturday afternoon and all-day Sunday and ask your membership queries.

ABDO COMMUNICATIONS and SUSTAINABILITY

Ask ABDO head of communications Antonia Chitty about ABDO’s work on sustainability. Antonia will also be available to discuss the Careers in Eyecare campaign Saturday 4-6pm, Sunday 3-6pm and all day Monday.

ABDO CPD

You can meet a member of the CPD team between 11.45 and 12.45 Saturday, 12noon and 1pm on Sunday and between 11 and 12 noon on Monday.

DISPENSING OPTICS

If you would like to contribute to or advertise with Dispensing Optics, you can meet members of the team on Saturday from 1 1-1pm, Sunday 1 1-2pm and all day Monday.

MORE STAFF to MEET

ABDO’s Nick Walsh will be on the stand all day Saturday, Sunday 2-6pm and all day Monday to discuss management and leadership training.

Catch up with Alicia Thompson about ABDO’s new plans for research on Saturday and Sunday morning 10-1pm.

Head of Professional Services and International Development, Elaine Grisdale will be on the stand on Saturday from 1-6pm and Sunday from 10-1pm.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO www.abdo.org.uk/100-optical

25 - 27

FEBRUARY 2023

STAND NUMBER: B210

EXCEL, LONDON

DISPENSING OPTICS

The Professional Journal of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians

Volume 38 No 2

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor Nicky Collinson BA (Hons)

Email ncollinson@abdo.org.uk

Assistant Editor Jane Burnand

Email jburnand@abdo.org.uk

Design and Production Duncan Taylor-Jones

Email dtaylor-jones@abdo.org.uk

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING

Telephone 0797 903 3542

Email ncollinson@abdo.org.uk

Website www.abdo.org.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS

UK £150

Overseas £175, including postage

Apply to: Edward Fox FBDO Association of British Dispensing Opticians Godmersham Park, Godmersham, Kent, CT4 7DT

Telephone 01227 733911

Email efox@abdo.org.uk

Website www.abdo.org.uk

ABDO CPD

Head of CPD

Alexandra Webster MSc PGDipE FBDO CL FHEA FBCLA

ABDO CPD, Unit 2, Court Lodge Offices, Godmersham Park, Godmersham, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7DT

Telephone 01206 734155

Email abdocpd@abdo.org.uk

CPD REVIEW PANEL

Josie Barlow FBDO CL

Andrew Cripps FBDO PG Cert HE FHEA

Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL

Stephen Freeman BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBDO (Hons) Cert Ed

Clare Hayes FBDO CL SFHEA

Claire McDonnell FAOI

Graeme Stevenson FBDO (Hons) CL

Alex Webster MSc PGDipE FBDO CL FHEA FBCLA

Gaynor Whitehouse FBDO (Hons) LVA

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Nicky Collinson BA (Hons)

Antonia Chitty PhD MCOptom MCIPR MPRCA

Alex Webster MSc PGDipE FBDO CL FHEA FBCLA

Max Halford FBDO CL

Daryl Newsome FBDO R CL SMC (Tech)

Alistair Bridge

Jane Burnand

Duncan Taylor-Jones

DISPENSING OPTICS IS PUBLISHED BY

ABDO, Unit 2, Court Lodge Offices, Godmersham Park, Godmersham, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7DT

Dispensing Optics is printed by

P&P Litho Ltd, Ashford, Middlesex TW15 1AB

© ABDO: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means whatever without the written prior permission of the publishers

Dispensing Optics welcomes contributions for possible editorial publication. However, contributors warrant to the publishers that they own all rights to illustrations, artwork or photographs submitted and also to copy which is factually accurate and does not infringe any other party’s rights

ISSN 0954 3201

AVERAGE CIRCULATION: 8,967 copies (January to December 2022)

COME AND GET INVOLVED

At the end of this month, 100% Optical will return once more to the ExCeL London – and there will be a strong ABDO presence at the show. Alongside opportunities for CPD through ABDO discussion workshops, there will be practical dispensing workshops and live foreign body removal demonstrations on the ABDO stand.

One thing you should really make time for is our drop-in sessions, to learn more about the conversations you should be having with patients about myopia management. Dispensing opticians have a key role to play in providing advice on myopia management and treatment. Learning from our expert team will help you engage with this exciting and evolving area of practice with confidence.

Another positive development we will be highlighting is our new suite of short management courses – now available to book via our website. We will also be launching our new social media campaign to promote awareness amongst employers of the value which dispensing opticians bring to practice. So lots of reasons to join us at 100% Optical this year.

For those who are not able to make it to London, we are running a series of regional CPD events this year. Attending these events will enable you to meet and share thoughts with fellow members, while minimising the travel costs and helping you to meet your CPD requirements. You can find details and register for these events on our website.

Through a combination of face-to-face events, webinars, articles in Dispensing Optics , online modules, discussion workshops and peer reviews, ABDO will provide everything you need for your continuing professional development. So if you haven’t done so already, now is the time to start planning what you are going to focus on this year. And if you would like some tips and guidance, a great place to start is the article in last month’s Dispensing Optics , by Alex Webster, our head of CPD –also available to read on DO Online

Alistair Bridge Chief executive

Newsome's Notes

See you at the ExCeL

What are you doing the last weekend of February? This is an exciting time to be involved in the optical industry – and it’s an exciting time to be a member of ABDO.

Change these days is not only guaranteed but it is happening at a faster rate than for any generation that has gone before us. Trade shows, not just optical trade shows, are often the place our suppliers announce and unveil new products – and as dispensing opticians we have a duty of care to our patients to be well informed of new and existing products that may benefit them.

So, come along to 100% Optical at the ExCeL in London (2527 February) and meet the ABDO team. We have a dedicated stand to support you, where you can catch up with staff from different departments and discuss what we do, how we do it, and make any suggestions as to how things might evolve.

Come and meet the exhibitors: they want to talk to you, so introduce yourselves. See new products and have them explained to you. Seek out all the new gadgets and gizmos, discover what they are for, how they work, why they are useful, how much they cost, and how they could make your practice more profitable.

The stands you visit might not have a specific product you want right now, but the team may be able to support your practice requirements down the line. A pre-existing contact can be highly advantageous, because you never know when your needs might change.

Trade shows are a great place to bump into old friends, people you studied with, people who taught you, as well as former and existing colleagues. There will be plenty of people you will know at the show, and there is value in keeping those relationships alive.

Do all of the above and please come and talk to the ABDO team, it is a weekend of networking and friendship making. The ABDO stand is your base while you are at the show, where you can pull up a chair and rest your feet. I will be on the stand from 2-4pm on both the Saturday and Sunday to welcome you and offer any support I can.

Daryl Newsome FBDO R CL SMC (Tech) President of ABDO

New campaign to educate employers

The varied and skilled roles of dispensing opticians (DOs) and contact lens opticians (CLOs) will be highlighted to existing and potential employers in a new social media campaign being launched by ABDO at 100% Optical this month.

Antonia Chitty, ABDO head of communications and IT, said: “We’re excited to launch this new social media campaign highlighting the role of the DO and CLO, encompassing all aspects of their professional and clinical skills – from paediatrics and low vision to practice management and leadership."

The campaign is based on an ABDO research project with employers, which took place last summer. A range of practice owners were interviewed, including optometrists and DOs, about the benefits of working with a DO, the challenges around recruitment and other pertinent factors.

The campaign content will be available to see on the ABDO stand at 100% Optical, with content scheduled to be rolled out across ABDO's social media platforms from 25 February.

"Over the course of this year, we shall also be meeting with stakeholders and further developing the campaign to ensure that all all ABDO members are valued – and that their roles are better understood in the wider context of primary eyecare," added Antonia. "We particularly want to encourage employers to invest in FBDO training, to better understand the reach of our members' skills and to support them in developing their careers even further."

Find ABDO at 100% Optical on stand B210.

Special offer on courses

ABDO has expanded its suite of management and leadership training offerings with the launch of online, self-led learning courses in the topics of change management and conflict management.

At launch and until 100% Optical begins on 25 February, ABDO is offering these engaging and informative courses at a discounted price to members. The usual price will be £75, but until 25 February members can benefit from a discounted price of £60 per course.

From 25 February, ABDO will open up the courses to non-members at the cost of £75 per course.

Nick Walsh, ABDO head of corporate development, will be available on the ABDO stand at 100% Optical to answer any questions about the full management and leadership offering – including these courses, workshops and full qualifications.

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DO joins GOC council

ABDO member, William Stockdale, has been appointed as a new registrant council member of the General Optical Council (GOC).

William is a dispensing optician a contact lens optician with 30 years’ clinical and business experience in Northern Ireland. He is the former chair of Optometry

Northern Ireland and has held a nonexecutive position with the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians,

the Association for Eye Care Providers. Also newly appointed is Ken Gill as a lay member. Ken is a chartered accountant and the vice chair of the board at the Countess of Chester NHS Foundation Trust.

Dr Anne Wright CBE, GOC chair of the council, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ken Gill and William Stockdale as our new council members...William brings a wealth of knowledge about the optical sector, particularly in Northern Ireland.”

William remarked: “At a time of unprecedented change within our profession, I am delighted to be joining the GOC council and look forward to the challenge of ensuring outstanding eyecare for the public.”

Taking clinical role to the max

Max Halford is now working for ABDO full-time as its clinical lead, after starting in the role on a part-time basis in April 2019.

Max will be working with ABDO colleagues to ensure that "members' skills are fully reflected in the work they deliver for patients and that we have a scope of practice that embraces everything we can bring to eye health. This will include providing the tools and training required to make this happen, as well as looking in depth at the contractual framework across the UK to ensure it is inclusive of dispensing opticians," Max said.

"The eyecare workforce has a huge role to play within healthcare generally, and dispensing opticians, contact lens and extended services contact lens opticians are a vital part of the primary

Annual Plan 2023 launched

ABDO has launched is 2023 Annual Plan with six key priorities for the year including: raising awareness of members’ roles amongst employers and other stakeholders, continuing to enable members’ professional development, developing and implementing a research strategy, and delivering sustainable benefits for members.

Turn to page 26 to learn more about the Annual Plan, which can be downloaded from the ABDO website now.

care clinical workforce. We must ensure this is truly recognised across all healthcare settings," Max added.

Alistair Bridge, ABDO chief executive, commented: “This is great news for ABDO and its members. Max has invaluable experience of developing, managing and influencing the commissioning of optical services and is highly respected across the sector. He will provide a strong and authoritative voice in representing the interests of dispensing opticians and enabling them to develop their roles, including as a member of the Local Optical Committee Support Unit board.”

Visit Max at the ABDO stand during 100% Optical, where he will be giving live demonstrations of foreign body removal on both the Saturday and Sunday.

Book your CPD workshop

There's still time to book onto a CPD dispensing workshop at 100% Optical.

The ABDO CPD team is running two discussion workshops each day: 'The dispensing optician: the healthcare professional' with ABDO head of CPD, Alex Webster; and 'The management of ptosis' with dispensing optician and experience lecturer/facilitator, Cheryl Hill.

Other dispensing CPD sessions are available, including: 'Interpretation and management of glaucoma'; discussion workshops, 'Passport to magnification – antiglare filter management' and 'Not another myopia management workshop'; and peer review session, 'An introduction to assistive technology for people with low vision'.

View the full CPD programme at www.100percentoptical.com

WILLIAM STOCKDALE

CPD sessions available

Max demonstrates foreign body removal

We look forward to seeing you at 100% Optical!

IOA heads to Singapore

The International Opticians Association (IOA) is running a clinical conference alongside the inaugural Silmo Singapore, which takes place from 12-14 April at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Silmo Academy by IOA will run alongside the three-day industry event, with internationallyacclaimed speakers leading sessions in parallel with three days of education in the exhibition space. A full day will be devoted to myopia management, with lifestyle and ophthalmic practice also on the programme. In the exhibition hall, there will be a mix of sessions on sustainability, improving practice, and specialist interest groups.

IOA president, Fiona Anderson, said: "The IOA Summit in Singapore offers members an incredible opportunity to meet like-minded professionals, network with industry experts and peers, and attend the launch edition of Silmo Singapore. I am delighted we have been able to organise this long-awaited event, and look forward to seeing ABDO and IOA members in this vibrant city of Singapore."

All ABDO members enjoy automatic membership of the IOA as a benefit. Find out more at www.ioassn.org

Dynamic trio join the firm

The Body Doctor has expanded its team with three new appointments.

Alex Grant, the youngest son of managing director, Sue Grant, has joined as an account manager looking after primary accounts and introducing the company’s range of compresses, eye drops and lid wipes to new and prospective customers.

Christy Jose has joined the quality assurance team as quality assurance manager after graduating from Liverpool University with a masters in product design and management.

Finally, Chloe Gillings has been appointed as marketing executive, bringing creative flair to the company's social media, artwork, design and product packaging.

Slight thaw in GOC fees

General Optical Council registrant fees will rise for the first time in three years in April, but at a below-inflation level.

From April 2023, there will be an increase in the main registration fee for optometrists, dispensing opticians and bodies corporates of 5.56 per cent to £380.

Fees for students will remain the same and the discount for low-income fees will increase by £20, from £100 to £120, meaning that the low-income fee will remain at £260.

Registrant fees have remained frozen at £360 for the past three years.

Third healthcare space opens

Boots has opened its third 'reinvented healthcare area' with the upgrading of its store in St Albans.

The healthcare space, on the first floor, houses both Boots Opticians and Boots World of Hearing. The hearing care space is the third Boots World of Hearing to open in the UK, and first to open inside a Boots store, offering free hearing care checks.

The healthcare space also offers a range of pharmacy services, both NHS and private, including vaccination services, and a free NHS blood pressure check service.

The Mayor of St Albans, councillor Geoff Harrison, attended a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening. Pictured from left are: Shezad Alimahomed (head of stores), Zoe Tant (store manager) and Drew Beames (area manager).

Helming new healthcare store

Singapore Silmo will launch in April

Christy, Chloe and Alex

New ABDO resource focuses on the menopause

ABDO has developed new menopause guidance to help members and employers.

Commenting on the new resource, ABDO clinical lead, Max Halford, said: “ABDO is committed to ensuring the health, safety and well-being of its members, employees and the patients we care for, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect.

"With this is mind, the organisation has developed guidance to support members who are affected in any way by the menopause, to support and inform their managers and ensure that people reporting issues are treated fairly and given appropriate support.”

The guidance addresses menopause

symptoms, legislation relating to menopause, and the responsibilities of employers and employees. It offers guidance for managers’ discussions with employees and suggested adjustments for specific issues. There is also a template for a confidential discussion between manger and employee, and a list of supporting resources.

The eyes and the menopause are the focus of this month's EyecareFAQ campaign. There will be a 'Focus on … Menopause' in ABDO’s Clinical Hub in March, a feature about equality, diversity and inclusion and the menopause in Dispensing Optics next month, along with inclusion of menopause where relevant in ABDO CPD.

Guidance for employees and employers

Tribute to "an exceptional leader" ECOO launches eco guidance

The European Council of Optometry and Optics (ECOO) has published new guidance providing an introduction to the issue of environmental sustainability and how it relates to eyecare.

The guidance makes some suggestions for the steps that national associations can take, and the information they could provide, for their members. It also offers links to further information for eyecare professionals and optical businesses.

Access the full guidance, and visit the ECOO Environmental Sustainability Hub, at https://ecoo.info

Retired ABDO member, Mike Barton, has paid tribute to Tony Garrett, who retired as general secretary of ABDO at the end of 2022.

Mike qualified as a dispensing optician in 1969, and was one of the first to qualify as a contact lens optician in the early 1970s. He was Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) from 2010-11, a founder member of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians, and a former president of the International Guild of Dispensing Opticians – now the International Opticians Association (IOA).

Dear Tony

Your time at the helm of ABDO has been an outstanding one. You have given the Association gravitas, led the organisation superbly, and made all those big calls look easy. You always had the ability to see the bigger picture.

The establishment of Godmersham Park as a centre of excellence for ABDO College in 2001 was an inspiration, as was the successful extension of its lease to 2040. ABDO College is housed in a stunning, historical building that all students can feel proud of – and contributes greatly to the continued advancement of the profession.

You have battled hard with the General Optical Council to ensure our voice is heard. When ABDO College took over the WCSM training courses in 2015, this was a brave act but the right one: you never feared the doomsayers.

Green guidance for members

Views sought on gender policy

The General Optical Council (GOC) is seeking view on its consultation on a new policy setting out the process for registrants to update their registered gender.

As part of its statutory duty to maintain and publish a register of all those who are

I remember a few eyebrows being raised when ABDO moved to Godmersham Park, and yet you didn't let the other occupants of 199 Gloucester Terrace down. You kept an ABDO presence there, and ensured the sale of the property in 2020 was a shrewd move.

fit to practise, the GOC publishes certain information about registrants, which currently includes their gender. The new policy seeks to make the process for updating gender "clear and easy to apply", whilst ensuring compliance with the Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) and the Equality Act 2010. It has been designed to ensure fairness to those who wish to update their gender on its register, the regulator emphasised.

The IOA has continued because of your help and guidance, ABDO Consultation Days were introduced, CET (now CPD) courses were expanded and attached to optical trade shows, inspiring members to attend – and your staff have been encouraged to better themselves. You have been a great ambassador for ABDO: always fair, but firm and with charm. Thank you for all you have done.

Mike Barton FBDO (Hons) CL Heswall, Wirral

The GOC is seeking registrants' views, as well of the views of other interested stakeholders, on this policy and the safeguards that it would apply.

The consultation opened in December and will be live until 20 March 2023. Feedback will then be considered, with a view to implement the policy in mid-2023. The consultation can be accessed via the GOC website.

Find the new menopause guidance in the ABDO Advice and Guidance section of the ABDO website.

Hoya: a visionary partner

The seven-acre wildlife conservation area that sits alongside Hoya in Wrexham, and the re-wilding of large swathes of the industrial park where it has been sited for more than 40 years, reflects the company’s ambition to become as green as possible.

This drive for sustainability cascades through the entire business and reflects the OSA’s Green Charter commitment. While some manufacturing takes place overseas, the Wrexham lab completes much of the UK glazing, surfacing, tinting and coating work, often on a next-day delivery. The experienced team of 210, including four SMC Tech Level 4 technicians, is led by managing director, Martin Batho, who has been instrumental in building Hoya to the respected position it has in the market today.

Support for independent customers is key to Hoya’s philosophy, as Andy Sanders, professional services director,

explains: “Our Visionary Alliance supports our independent customers with everything from business advice to securing locums, plus help with marketing and website creation. We really want our independent partners to thrive –particularly when the market is so challenging.”

Hoya also provides online and inpractice CPD, covering everything from paediatric dispensing, myopia management, colour vision, OCT and glaucoma analysis.

“Our most recent support initiative is a programme to be used in schools by local practitioners," Andy continues. "The toolkit has all the elements needed to present the eye health message to children and their parents."

As a longstanding trade body member, Hoya gains much from being part of the OSA. “It is very valuable for us as a business to gain insights into the challenges of other industry partners, and

to share concerns about the market," says Andy. "We gain a lot from seeing how other industry sectors work, and the regional meetings and specific focus groups keep us up-to-date with what is happening in the market.

"The encouragement of Case 51 student visits to the lab has also been a great benefit for everyone involved in optics, and we are always happy to host these events,” adds Andy.

ABDO MANAGEMENT and LEADERSHIP TRAINING

TIME TO BOOST YOUR SKILLS

NEW SHORT COURSES IN CHANGE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

FOR 2023

These short courses are ideal if you want to learn about important business topics in your own time without the need to attend a course. Simply buy the courses and study at your own pace online.

COURSES ARE AVAILABLE IN CHANGE MANAGEMENT and CONFLICT MANAGEMENT

2 CPD points for each course

Launch discount for ABDO MEMBERS buy each course for £60 instead of £75 using code mltshort until 24 February

Andy Sanders (right) with marketing manager, Dale Hughes

Neat, innovative and responsibly - sourced

New Zeiss sports-inspired ophthalmic and sunglass styles combine responsible materials, neatness of lines and innovative use of colour.

Model ZS 22526 (pictured) features anti-reflection demonstration lenses enclosed in a modified rectangular front of at least 45 per cent plant-based resin. The rubber sides feature a manual colour layering on the mold and an external pattern, providing comfort and grip.

Matte black, matte tortoise, matte transparent green and matte transparent blue are the colour options for the front, while the indigo blue details on the sides point to brand identity with the Zeiss logo. The collection is available from Marchon

Feast for the eyes

A tale of two cities

Slovenian eyewear brand Laibach & York, available through Whitstable Bay Eyewear , has added two new styles to its Capital collection inspired by capital cities around the world: rectangular cat-eye Canberra and bold, feminine Sofia.

Laibach & York was founded in 2013 by Blaž Oberč , an industrial designer who has been perfecting his skills in creating high-end eyewear ever since. With an in-house design team and manufacturing facility in Slovenia, the company stocks both vintage and new acetate – allowing it to create eyewear in small quantities and a diversity of colours.

Utilising Italian cellulose acetate, three and five-barrelled hinges and quadruple polishing for a glossy finish, the handmade frames are ergonomically designed for superior weight distribution.

Elegant, chic and jewellery - inspired

Charmant has released a new series of jewellery-inspired Line Art eyewear styles, created in Japan using its flagship Excellence Titan material.

The four new models – two Duo and two Aria – offer rich colour selections and chic tonal contrasts as well as exclusive sides with Swarovski crystals and knotted jewellery forms.

Pictured is Line Art Duo model XL 2168 in teal. The double-curved sides of this airy, pressure-mounted style are enriched by Swarovski crystals. The angular shape enhances the eyes while rich, high-quality Japanese shading and four Swarovski crystals evoke LineArt’s premium lineage.

Back to the 80s

The latest additions to Silhouette's Illusion Lite collection range from a subtle cat-eye shape to a square frame and a double-bar aviator.

All styles within the collection are crafted using high-quality materials: the front is made of SPX+, Silhouette's hard-wearing, ultralight and hypoallergenic material which ensures longevity.

Illusion Lite 2948 is a unisex model offering subtle interpretations of 1980s lens shapes. The charm of this laid-back sporty design has seen continued popularity. This laid-back sporty design is available in a selection of colours including Trusty Blue and Jiggle Denim.

Silhouette's Illusion Lite 2948

Line Art Duo model XL 2168

Sporty Zeiss model ZS 22526

Vintage, be-jewelled, sporty and sustainable – this month's product spotlight on eyewear is a veritable feast for the eyes...

Model Canberra in a bright colour array

Debut for 'seastainable' clip - on collection

Sea2See has launched a ‘seastainable’ clip-on collection with seven new ophthalmic models: Adriatica, Alba, Cortez, Formentera, Giorgio, Ibiza and Palma. The clip-ons attach via four magnetic inserts – two on the sides and two above the bridge.

“Our new tech clips attach with four magnets not just two, to ensure they do not move," said François van den Abeele, founder and CEO of Sea2See Eyewear. "We have also allowed for extra flexibility at the temples, reducing the pressure on the fronts and thereby making sure the clip remains straight and totally stable on the frames."

The clip-ons match the tone of the frames in colours such as lilac and Havana.

Take two for eco collection

Designed and handmade in a carbon-neutral production facility in the heart of Austria, Neubau Eyewear's new Freddy, Quinn, Katharina, Miki and Michi frames are made of plant-based acetate – extending the brand's Shapes of Motion collection.

Models Freddy and Quinn make a bold statement with bright colours. Graphic shapes, Katharina and Mike feature discreet, transparent hues – while bright colours are spotlighted in rounded style Michi.

Natural acetate is a purely plant-based material composed of cotton and wood and uses only plant-based plasticisers. As a result, it is considered biodegradable and particularly environmentally-friendly. Frame sides are made of high-quality beta-titanium.

All set for sunnier days

Eyespace has launched four new sunwear collections, adding more than 60 styles to its portfolio of house and designer brands: Aspinal of London, Range Rover, Land Rover and Cocoa Mint.

The Cocoa Mint collection has been enhanced with relaxed, feminine pieces exuding effortless glamour. As seen on the runways for spring/summer 2023, CMS 2112 (pictured) embraces the 1990s revival through its on-trend eyeshape. Available in black paired with teal marbled sides and subtle hints of purple, this model is finessed with rose gold Cocoa Mint branding.

The new collections are accompanied by a suite of digital campaign imagery and striking point-of-sale material.

'Slow eyewear' that's built to last

'Slow eyewear' is the concept behind nature-inspired Götti Bionic from Götti Switzerland .

The frames are 3D-printed from a single material based on castor bean plant seeds. A new hinge, inspired by human ball-and-socket joints, has been developed – hence the name Bionic. The eyewear is pared right down to the front piece and sides, with no screws or other aids for the hinge.

There are just four shapes in four earthy tones of ash, blush, sand and teal. All elements of the frames can be customised in terms of lens size, bridge width, side length, and optional nose pads.

The frames are manufactured in Götti's factory in Switzerland. Also Swiss-made and developed by Götti is the simple kraft paper packaging, which can be used as notepaper.

NEXT MONTH'S PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT CONTACT LENSES

Sea2See model Palma with matching clip-on Neubau model Quinn in dark red

New Cocoa Mini model CMS 2112

Götti Bionic: 3D-printed in bio-based polyamid

PROFESSIONAL GROUPS

Autism and eyecare accessibility

By Dr Ketan Parmar PhD MSci (Optom) MCOptom

In the last few years, there has been increased interest about populations with special requirements, including autism. Although autistic people can have a co-occuring learning disability, autism is not a learning disability itself. This is likely to be a common misconception and can cause autistic people to be poorly understood and incorrectly supported. This article provides a background to autism, autistic sensory experiences, autism and vision, and recommendations for providing autism-friendly eyecare.

WHAT IS AUTISM?

third of autistic people have a co-existing learning disability 3 . Globally, 0.6 per cent of the population is autistic 4 . In the UK, approximately 1.1 per cent of adults 5 and 1.57 per cent of children 6 are diagnosed as autistic. There appears to be a gender imbalance, with up to four times more males diagnosed as autistic than females 7,8

The UK diagnostic criteria for autism are laid out in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) 9 and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) 10 . In summary, these are:

a. Impaired social communication and interaction

CPD CODE: C-104338

MCQs AVAILABLE ONLINE:

1 February 2023

CLOSING DATE: 10 May 2023

ANSWERS PUBLISHED: June 2023

This CPD session is open to all FBDO members and associate member optometrists. Successful completion of this CPD session will provide you with a certificate of completion of one non-interactive CPD point. The multiple-choice questions (MCQs) are available online only from Wednesday 1 February 2023. Visit www.abdo.org.uk After member login, scroll down and you will find CPD Online within your personalised dashboard. Six questions will be presented in a random order. Please ensure that your email address and GOC number are up-to-date. The pass mark is 60 per cent.

CPD CODE: C-104338

Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition which affects social interaction, communication and behaviour; Table 1 gives some typical examples of such challenges. These impairments have stressful impacts on the day-to-day living of autistic people 1,2 . Autism is not a learning disability itself, but about one

SOCIAL

b. Restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour

c. Symptoms must be present in the early developmental period but not necessarily fully manifest

d. A clinically significant impairment of social ability, occupational capability or in another area of function

• Does not always respond to their name

• Inability to initiate conversations or continue them

• Unable to understand simple questions and instructions

• Poor expression of emotion and poor understanding of others’ emotions

• Poor judgement of a social environment and may approach it in the wrong manner

• Poor eye contact and a lack of facial expression

• Delivers speech in an unusual manner, either robotically or like a song

COMMUNICATION

• Difficulty interpreting non-verbal signals

• Inability to understand the context of words with double meaning

• Repeats movements or activities which could cause self-harm

• Displays coordination issues with walking or hands

BEHAVIOUR

• Poor ability to imitate

• Unwillingness to break routines

• Altered sensory sensitivity

10

TABLE 1: Examples of the social, communication and behavioural challenges that autistic people can experience

e. These impairments cannot be better explained by intellectual disability or global developmental delay

AUTISM AND SENSORY EXPERIENCES

The majority of autistic people have altered sensory reactivity11,12 – meaning they experience sensory stimuli differently to non-autistic people. They can be hyperor hypo-sensitive to sensory stimuli.

Hypersensitivity describes an excessive response to sensory stimuli, such as:

• Visually focusing on fine details in an object rather than the object as a whole

• Intolerance to the feel of particular textures or types of clothing

• Finding tastes of certain foods overpowering, so developing a restricted diet

• An inability to cope with certain scents, for example, strong perfumes

• Difficulty ignoring background noise

Hyposensitivity describes a dampened response to sensory stimuli, for example:

• An inability to visually detect some features of objects

• An ability to tolerate more pain that usually expected

• A liking for extreme tastes, such as very spicy food

• Failure to notice strong smells

• Gaining pleasure from loud noises

TYPE OF IMPACT EXAMPLES

PHYSICAL

“[visual hypersensitivity is] a gradually fatiguing thing”

MENTAL

“I feel like my genetics are just really bad codes, just full of defects and errors”

EMOTIONAL

“It [visual hypersensitivity] just makes me generally stressed all the time and less able to deal with other things”

Additionally, autistic people can display sensory seeking behaviours such as excessive touching of object edges or fascination with reflections 13 . Altered sensory reactivity largely takes the form of hypersensitivity for autistic individuals 14 . Research has shown the degree of altered sensory reactivity increases with the severity of autism 15 but not age 16,17 . Importantly, sensory issues are lifelong 18 and affect each sense individually 19,20 as well as multisensory processing 21,22 . The impact of these can vary from stressful to pleasant, depending on the nature of the resultant experience 23,24

HEALTHCARE ACCESSIBILITY FOR AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Autistic children and young adults are 11 times more likely 25 – and autistic adults five times more likely 26 – to develop poor health compared to the general population. It is therefore unsurprising that autistic people are expected to access healthcare more often 27-30 However, significant issues surround healthcare provision to this population31, 32 A survey conducted by the Westminster Commission on Autism 33 found that 74 per cent of autistic, parent-advocate and professional respondents felt that the autistic population received poorer healthcare compared to non-autistic people. This could be because some of

• Sleeping difficulties, especially during summer months, due to hypersensitivity to lights

• Feeling drained and tired, impacting functionality

• Negative physiological responses, such as experiencing pain from bright colours or lights

• A negative belief of being ‘different’ and less able

• A sense of not being normal, compared to non-autistic people

• Distress

• Anger

• Anxiety

• Feeling overwhelmed

• Positivity acknowledging the advantages of some visual hypersensitivities

the physical symptoms of health issues presented by autistic people are erroneously attributed to features of autism 34

In comparison to non-autistic people with or without other disabilities, autistic individuals experience greater barriers to accessing healthcare 35 Raymaker et al 35 found that the top five barriers to healthcare for autistic people were:

• Fear and anxiety

• Slow information processing, which means they cannot have a real-time conversation with healthcare professionals

• Cost implications

• Sensory issues

• Communication challenges with service providers

Interviews conducted by Nicolaidis et al 36 with autistic adults, and individuals who supported autistic people in a healthcare setting, concluded that autism-related factors, such as verbal communication deficits and sensory sensitivities, impacted service use for the patient. Lack of autism knowledge, incorrect assumptions about abilities of patients, and unwillingness to adapt, created barriers on the part of service providers. The complexity of the healthcare system, physical features of healthcare settings and stigma about autism, created system-level barriers. Dern and Sappok 31 arranged meetings involving autistic adults who could verbally share their personal experiences, and autism professionals who spoke on behalf of autistic adults who could not verbally share their experiences. Discussions highlighted that the sensory and communication issues surrounding autism need to be understood by service providers to make sure that their services are autism-friendly. Arranging appointments by phone call is difficult for autistic people. Proximity to strangers, sensory issues and stress due to uncertainty create challenges in waiting areas. Sudden touch during the examination causes discomfort.

Communication during appointments is testing due to literal thinking, lack of time to think and respond to questions and general issues with communication.

TABLE 2: Examples of the physical, mental and emotional impacts of visual sensory experiences on autistic adults 37 . Quotes are taken from Parmar et al 37

AUTISM AND VISION AUTISTIC VISUAL SENSORY EXPERIENCES

Autistic adults can experience a variety of visual symptoms 37 . The majority are sensory and due to different aspects of light (bright, fluorescent and spot lighting), strong colours, patterns, motion and visual clutter (i.e. lots of stimuli in the visual field). These vary from person to person, and can occur alone or as part of a larger multisensory experience.

Although non-autistic people would probably experience some of these symptoms, it is the challenge in daily activities, such as the consequent inability to visit public places (e.g. hospitals and supermarkets) or use public transport, which seems greater for autistic people.

Visual sensory issues negatively impact physical, emotional and mental wellbeing, as presented in Table 2 . Autistic adults feel less inclined to partake in social activities, partially due to visual sensory issues. For some autistic adults, their visual sensory characteristics can be an advantage. For example, hypersensitivity to detail allows autistic people to spot patterns in data easily, or see features in landscapes which non-autistic people may miss when painting.

Autistic people try to control the negative effects of visual experiences 37 Coping strategies can involve adapted lighting in artificially lit environments, avoiding situations which p rovoke visual sensory experiences, choosing specific eyewear which prevents distraction (e.g. spectacles with thinner rims or rimless), and just trying to cope as well as possible.

Where coping is difficult, some autistic people have accessed unp roven management options such as tinted lenses which claim to have a calming effect in this population. An example of this can be seen at: www.read123.co.uk/en/the-use-ofcolour-therapy-and-coloured-lenses-inautism

OPTOMETRIC CONDITIONS IN AUTISTIC PEOPLE

Although visual acuity is comparable between autistic and non-autistic people 38 , autistic people are at greater risk of developing optometric anomalies including higher refractive errors, strabismus and amblyopia 39,40 Figure 1 provides a summary of optometric

A significant refractive error has been noted in up to 44 per cent of autistic youngsters. Specifically, astigmatism ≥ 1D has been found in 18-26 per cent of autistic children 45-47 compared to eight per cent of non-autistic children 45

The prevalence of strabismus is 8.6-60 per cent amongst autistic children 48-54 compared to 0-5 per cent in non-autistic children 48,53-55 .

Between 10-11 per cent of autistic children have been recorded as amblyopic 49,51 relative to a global prevalence of 1.92 per cent 56

Near point of convergence has been found to be significantly extended amongst autistic children compared to non-autistic children 48,53

Significant accommodative lags have been found in 17.4 per cent of autistic children compared to 4.9 per cent of non-autistic children 48

uncorrected refractive error and binocular vision anomalies 42-44 ; it is possible that some autistic visual sensory experiences have a similar link.

EXISTING RESOURCES FOR ACCESSIBLE EYECARE

If autistic people are more likely to develop optometric issues, they can be expected to access eyecare regularly. SeeAbility offers resources for providing accessible eye examinations to autistic children, and autistic people with learning disabilities 57 . The College of Optometrists has professional guidance on seeing autistic patients, based on research regarding autistic children and mainly focused on what would happen in the testing room 58 . Neither of these cater to autistic adults who do not have a learning disability.

To address this, Parmar et al59 conducted focus groups with autistic adults to understand the key challenges they face when accessing eyecare services. This facilitated recommendations for eyecare providers on how to deliver autism-friendly services. The next section discusses key challenges and recommendations for eyecare providers to keep in mind when seeing autistic patients, as well as dispensingspecific recommendations57-59.

HOW CAN I PROVIDE AUTISM - FRIENDLY SERVICES?

1. IMPROVE YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF AUTISM

research in young autistic participants, having an upper age of 20 years. Many of them also had a co-existing learning disability.

Parmar et al 41 addressed the lack of research about optometric anomalies in autistic adults without learning disabilities. The outcomes of this study, conducted with 24 autistic adults, suggest this population is more likely to develop a significant change in refractive correction, and present with binocular vision (e.g. accommodative insufficiency and infacility) and visual stress issues.

Overlaps have been identified between the symptoms of visual stress and common eye problems such as

You should consider undertaking autism awareness training. Having a basic awareness of autism will allow you to appreciate the challenges that an autistic person could face in your practice. This will help you consider adaptations for an autism-friendly service.

Autistic people can feel anxious about eye examinations. They can be made to feel relaxed by you simply introducing yourself, being patient, explaining procedures well and not providing too much information at once. It is a good idea to have an ‘autism champion’ amongst your practice staff. This is someone who has an advanced understanding of autism. They can be a point of contact for autistic patients. Practice staff can seek their advice on autism-friendly adaptations.

FIGURE 1: A summary of reported prevalence of optometric anomalies amongst autistic people, mostly children 45 - 56

2. AUTISM - FRIENDLY PRACTICE OPERATION

Entering an optometric practice can be stressful for autistic people, partly because of glaring reflections from displayed spectacle frames and uncomfortable lighting. Autistic people can be hypersensitive to lots of sound or movement, and can feel anxious among lots of people. Identify patterns of quieter periods in your practice and offer appointments during these times to autistic patients.

You could have ‘quiet times’ akin to some supermarkets, when practice lights are dimmed and the practice music is turned off. Similarly, consider whether

autistic patients could be offered a ‘quiet area’ in your practice to wait instead of a busy waiting area, or possibly have them taken into the testing room straight away.

It is commonplace in ophthalmic clinical settings for different staff members to be responsible for stages of the patient’s appointment. Knowing that autistic adults experience anxiety when meeting new people, this type of patient journey is very uncomfortable and has been identified as a barrier to healthcare 31,36,60 . Therefore, having to interact with different staff during an eye examination can cause significant stress.

Try and conduct most of the appointment between the optometrist

and a member of dispensing staff. The optometrist can conduct pre-screening tests as well as the eye examination. The dispensing optician can fully manage any spectacle dispensing.

Having to go to different rooms is also anxiety p rovoking for autistic patients, because they have to get used to a new environment. Review your eye examination process and consider how the number of room changes could be minimised during an appointment.

Autistic patients may become overwhelmed with the variety of stages, staff and tests involved in an eye examination. If this is evident then propose spreading the appointment over two (or more) visits. Offer the option to return another day to arrange new spectacles.

3. TRY TO PROVIDE PRACTITIONER CONTINUITY

Due to the social difficulties linked with autism 9 , autistic adults commonly feel anxious when communicating with strangers. Therefore, staff continuity is important across successive eye examinations for autistic adults. Autistic people feel more confident with a professional that they see regularly, regardless of their competence. Seeing the same practitioner (optometrist and dispensing optician) allows autistic adults to feel relaxed and respond better. The practitioner would also have built a relationship with the autistic patient over a series of examinations, and therefore better understand their requirements.

4. PROVIDE AN ELECTRONIC APPOINTMENT BOOKING OPTION

Many autistic people do not like speaking to strangers over the phone. They often must build up courage to make a phone call to eyecare providers in order to arrange an appointment. For some autistic people, it serves as a deterrent, making them delay important healthcare until it is unavoidable or someone else can make the phone call for them. Therefore, your practice should provide an alternative such as an online booking portal or appointment request form (e.g. as part of your practice website), or the option for patients to communicate with the practice by email. Appointment reminders are also preferred by text, letter or email.

FIGURE 2: A summary poster ( produced by Healthwatch Suffolk ) of the five requirements of the Accessible Information Standard for NHS and social care services 62

5. ACCESSIBILITY OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Autistic adults have noted that optometric practices do not routinely ask patients about special requirements which is a legal requirement as per the Accessible Information Standard 61 . This law, in effect since August 2016, ensures people with a disability, impairment or sensory loss receive information which they can easily understand, and any required communication support. Figure 2 summarises the five requirements of the Standard for NHS and social care services. NHS England provides further information about this standard online: www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equa lity-hub/patient-equalitiesprogramme/equality-frameworks-andinformation-standards/accessibleinfo

You could add a free-text field to your electronic booking form asking about special requirements. Additionally, you could give examples of adaptations you are able to offer, such as extended appointments and quiet periods. For autistic patients who are comfortable booking appointments via telephone, ensure you seek accessibility information as part of the conversation. Review this information prior to the appointment. Doing so will allow you to understand any factors which may influence the eye examination.

6. PROVIDE 'WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT’ INFORMATION

Autistic adults feel anxious about visiting optometric practices and having an eye examination. This is due to the uncertainty of what they will have to face, who they will have to interact with and the lasting impacts the visit may have. To reduce autistic patients’ eye examination anxiety, help them prepare for their visit by sending information about what the appointment will involve, which staff they will meet and the different processes they will undergo. This can take the form of an information sheet with pictures accompanying room, staff and test descriptions. You could provide a list of questions that may be asked during the appointment.

Researchers at the University of Manchester have produced resources which you can provide to autistic patients: https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/autismand-vision/patient_resources

Additionally, guidance on getting to the practice (e.g. maps, travel routes, public transport options) can reduce travel anxiety. Some autistic people may prefer to visit the optometric practice in advance of their appointment, as an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the setting.

When an autistic patient arrives, sit with them in a quiet space and run through what will be involved in the appointment. Mention having to go to different rooms, which staff they will meet and any delays to the clinic.

7.

ESTABLISH A GOOD RAPPORT

The quality of communication plays a large part in the rapport created by eyecare professionals, which autistic adults have said needs imp rovement. It is important that you introduce yourself and describe what you will be doing. For example, “My name is Ketan and I will be helping you choose a new pair of spectacles”. You should ensure a kind tone and friendly behaviour. Be reassuring and avoid rushing the autistic patient. It is also important to be aware of the autistic patient becoming stressed or overwhelmed.

8. DISPENSING - SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS

Accessibility challenges vary from one autistic person to another. Therefore, adaptations which are ideal for one individual may not be as effective for another. When considering how the spectacle dispensing process can be more autism-friendly, you should revisit the patient’s accessibility requirements. Additionally, allow the autistic patient to

have an input on the dispensing process by asking them about anything they may find uncomfortable, what works well for them and the usefulness of any adaptations you are planning.

Being unsure of what to expect or what to do can make autistic people feel stressed. They can think very literally 27 and may only provide relevant information if specifically asked 31 . Review your questioning techniques to ensure you are asking simple questions and not making any assumptions of understanding.

Autistic people like being given clear and detailed information. But, too much information at once can be difficult to process. Therefore, go through the spectacle dispensing process in a stepby-step manner. For example, discuss lens choices, then spectacle frames and finally lens tints and coatings. When performing any dispensing procedures, ensure you explain: (a) what test is being conducted; (b) how it will be conducted; (c) why it is important; (d) what equipment will be used (if any); and (e) what the autistic patient exactly needs to do. Offer autistic patients the opportunity to ask questions.

Due to the sensory challenges that autistic people are prone to 11 , certain procedures during spectacle dispensing can be extremely unpleasant. Procedures requiring close proximity (e.g. measuring pupillary distance with a pupillometer) can be uncomfortable. Skin contact from instruments (even a PD rule) is challenging. Additionally, practitioners wearing strong perfumes can be very distracting. Autistic adults have to work hard to override the consequences of

FIGURE 3: A scale can be drawn onto frames’ dummy lenses, before being placed on the patient’s face, to determine vertical and possibly horizontal centration

sensory issues and be able to attend to instructions and questions.

Think about if procedures which provoke sensory issues or anxiety could be replaced or conducted differently. If it is not possible to eliminate such procedures, then try to minimise the patient’s exposure to the uncomfortable stimulus, and ensure clear explanations and advance warning so that the patient knows what to expect.

HERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:

• Unless assistance is sought, avoid constantly watching or hovering around autistic patients when they are selecting new spectacle frames. This can make them feel anxious and under pressure

• If the dispensing area is busy and the autistic patient appears to be impacted by this, take them to a quieter area to take spectacle measurements and discuss lens options

• During the spectacle dispense, take relevant facial measurements so that the frame can be set up accurately for collection. These measurements may include length to bend and head width. Doing this will lessen the need for the frame to be adjusted multiple times during collection, minimising the number of times the patient has to take the frame off and therefore reducing stress

• During fitting, allow the patient to put on the frame themselves. Handling the frame will let them better expect what the frame may feel like on their face (e.g. the temperature and weight). If the patient is particularly sensitive to the temperature of the frame, especially if it is metal, then warm it slightly using a frame heater so that it is more comfortable to touch. Equally, allow the frame to cool to a comfortable temperature after any adjustments

• To measure vertical and possibly horizontal lens centration, draw a scale onto the frames’ dummy lenses ( see Figure 3 ), before placing it onto the patient's face. You could use photographic methods too, if available in your practice. These methods can prevent stress caused by having additional objects close to the autistic patient’s face, and a dispensing optician in close proximity

• Autistic people can be distracted by spectacle rims in the visual field. Rimless spectacles, frames with thinner rims or larger eyesizes (if appropriate for the spectacle prescription) may be more suitable

• If the weight of spectacles is likely to provoke touch hypersensitivity, then consider titanium or rimless frames, or frames with minimum rim thickness

• Autistic people can be hypersensitive to bright environments. A neutral tint could help to reduce discomfort. Of course, if the individual drives then this would influence the density of the tint which can be incorporated into any distance spectacles

• If procedures which might cause sensory or anxiety issues cannot be avoided, then clearly explain what the procedure will involve and provide a demonstration. For example, hold a frame rule at the bridge of your nose to show how pupillary distance will be measured

KEY MESSAGES

Autism influences the day-to-day living of individuals. Having a basic understanding of this neurodevelopmental condition can allow eyecare professionals to appreciate the challenges and advantages an autistic person may face. This will subsequently, and importantly, influence how autistic patients are supported.

Eye examinations can be challenging for autistic people and considerations need to be made concerning the whole practice visit for an autism-friendly service. Examples of good practice are considering communication strategies and how to adapt procedures to respond to patient needs. Implementing simple changes can easily reduce, if not overcome, many of the barriers to eyecare services for autistic people.

You can find out more about the author’s research on autism, vision and eyecare here:

https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/autismand-vision. This website also contains resources for autistic patients to help them prepare for an eye examination (which eyecare providers can freely use), and recommendations for eyecare providers for autism-friendly services as presented in this article.

DR KETAN PARMAR is an optometrist specialising in autism, vision and accessible eyecare. He graduated from the University of Manchester in 2022 as Doctor of Optometry having investigated autistic visual sensory experiences, barriers to eyecare for autistic people and possible links between autism and optometric conditions. His general interests in academia and clinical optometry include binocular vision, general optometry and communication /patient care. Currently he is a research optometrist at Eurolens Research, but also practises as a locum optometrist, and teaches undergraduate optometry students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR THIS CPD ARTICLE

DOMAIN: Professionalism

13.2: Promote equality, value diversity and be inclusive in all your dealings and do not discriminate against autistic patients.

DOMAIN: Communication

1.5: Where required and possible, modify your care and treatment for autistic patients to support their needs and preferences without compromising their safety.

2.3: When working with autistic patients, be alert to unspoken signals which could indicate the patient’s lack of understanding, discomfort or lack of consent.

Multiple choice answers

Focused on the road ahead

By Pauline Bradford FBDO CL FBCLA AFHEA

CPD CODE: C-103684

Published in October 2022

What is the corrected vision requirement needed to satisfy the DVLA for a group 1 license?

a. Read a number plate at 6m and 6/6 binocularly

b. Read a number plate at 20m and 6/6 binocularly

c. Read a number plate at 6m and 6/12 binocularly

d. Read a number plate at 20m and 6/12 binocularly

d is the correct answer. Current regulation requires the driver to be able to read a number plate at 20m, which is roughly the equivalent of 6/12 Snellen. The driver must wear any correction required to get to this level. Whilst there is a Snellen equivalent, the real test is; can the driver, at the time of the driving test or upon request by a police officer, read a number plate. It is worth noting that rarely would the distance of that license plate be measured if the test is conducted at the road side as is usual. This means that the Snellen equivalent is a guide only.

Which of these tint levels would not be suitable to wear for driving in any circumstance?

a. Eighty per cent absorption

b. Category one

c. Eight per cent absorption

d. Five per cent transmission

d is the correct answer. Only five per cent of visible light would be transmitted (and 95 per cent absorbed); this would mean this tint is a category four and is not suitable for daytime or night time driving. It is useful to remember that tints are not always stated as categories, and the terms 'absorption' and 'transmission' may be used when discussing tints.

Which of the following statements is true?

a. There is no need to contact the DVLA if a Group 2 driver has glaucoma in one eye

b. Group 2 drivers must not need spectacles or contact lenses to meet driving standards.

c. In order to hold a Group 2 license, the driver must not have a refraction over -10.00DS

d. A group driver may wear contact lenses with a power over +8.00DS

d is the correct answer. In order to hold a Group 2 license, the driver must not wear a spectacle correction over +8.00D due to a ring scotoma effect caused by the

Six of the following questions were presented online to entrants to comply with the General Optical Council’s best practice specifications for this type of CPD. All answers were correct at the time of publication, members are advised to confirm the latest guidance with the DVLA.

spectacles. However, they may wear a contact lens with a power above +8.00DS. There is no limit on negative power spectacle or contact lens correction as long as all visual requirements are met. All drivers, regardless of license type, must inform the DVLA if they develop glaucoma in both eyes and Group 2 must notify DVLA if they develop glaucoma in one eye only.

Which of the following statements is false?

a. A Group 2 licence holder may not need to notify the DVLA if they develop cataracts as long as they still meet the minimum requirements for driving

b. A Group 1 licence holder does not need to notify the DVLA if they develop glaucoma in one eye and hypertension in the other

c. A Group 1 driver does not need to notify the DVLA if they develop diplopia as long as they see a doctor within three months

d. There is no need to notify the DVLA if you are a Group 2 driver born with deuteranopia

c is the correct answer. Any driver, regardless of license type, must cease driving immediately and notify the DVLA if they develop diplopia. If the diplopia can be managed by spectacle use or patching, they may be able to drive again. This would be unlikely in the case of a Group 2 license holder. If a Group 1 driver develops glaucoma in one eye and hypertension in the other, there is no requirement for them to notify the DVLA unless that hypertension then becomes glaucoma in both eyes. There is no need for a Group 1 or 2 license holder to inform the DVLA about cataract unless they have an impact on the driver’s ability to meet the required driving standards.

In which of the following circumstances must the driver notify the DVLA and cease driving immediately?

a. A Group 1 driver suffers a head injury that results in diplopia

b. A Group 2 driver who develops blephorspasm

c. A Group 1 driver who develops nyctalopia

d. All of the above

d is the correct answer. All of these situations would require the driver to cease driving and notify the DVLA. This is because all of these conditions result in the inability to perceive, or act upon, hazards quickly and safely.

Why can a group 2 license holder drive in contact lenses with a prescription right and left of +8.50DS, but not in a pair of spectacles with the following Rx: R +8.50 / -0.50 x 180 L + 8.50 / -0.25 x 170 where both methods of correction give VA’s of R 6/6 & 6/6 and 6/6 binocularly. ?

a. Due to the spectacle magnification of the spectacles being lower than that of the contact lenses

b. The thicker spectacle lenses would result in ring scotoma

c. The risk of glare from a high plus spectacle lens

d. Spectacles may give a less cosmetically appealing result than contact lenses

b is the correct answer. A pair of high plus spectacles will result in a ring scotoma resulting in a restricted visual field. Answer a is incorrect; spectacles would increase spectacle magnification, not decrease it, and would play a part of in ring scotoma. A high plus lens may result in increased glare but this would be mitigated somewhat by the use of an antireflection coating or other driving specific coating.

A Group 2 license holder who has suffered an injury and finds that they now cannot see at all out of their right eye should:

a. cease driving and notify the DVLA immediately

b. continue driving but attend for an eye examination as soon as possible

c. continue to drive a motorbike but must notify the DVLA within 90 days

d. book an eye examination and only drive in daylight until seen by an optometrist

a is the correct answer. This is the only legal option in this scenario, regardless of if a Group 1 – car or motorbike – or Group 2 license is held. If a driver retains some vision in the affected eye, they must continue to meet the required standards of 6/6 best corrected eye, 6/60 worst correct eye and the relevant visual field requirements. Interestingly, the 6/60 may become 3/60 if ‘grandfather rights exist’. This is a situation where a license holder obtained their license before a specific requirement came into force and would now loose the license if those requirements were enforced.

ABDO CPD REGIONAL EVENTS 2023

Events will open 6 weeks in advance and places can be booked through the Events pages on the ABDO website

ALL EVENTS OFFER • 6 Interactive CPD Points including Peer Review • Refreshments and Light Buffet • Interaction time with sponsors • All events start at 6:30pm and finish at 9:30pm unless otherwise specified

Wednesday 15 February

Monday 20 February

Monday 13 March

Monday 24 April

Wednesday 3 May

6.15pm to 9.15pm

Wednesday 10 May

MAIDSTONE

Orida Hotel Maidstone, ME14 5AA

LONDON

Guy’s Hospital, SE1 9RT

PLYMOUTH

New Medica, Forder House, PL6 5WR

NORWICH

Mercure Norwich, NR3 2BA

BIRMINGHAM

ABDO NRC, B6 5RQ

WREXHAM

Wynstay Arms, LL13 8LP

Which of the following is not a visual requirement needed to hold a Group 2 driving license?

a. A visual field of 160 degrees horizontally with an extension of 70 degrees left and right

b. Visual acuity of 6/75 in the better eye and 6/60 in the worst eye

c. The absence of cataracts

d. Spectacle prescription below +8.00DS

c is the correct answer. As long as the visual standards are met, it is permissible for a Group 2 licence holder to have cataracts. However, as those cataract develop, it is likely that they will then have an impact on the other visual requirements, and this may then mean that a Group 2 license cannot be held until the cataracts are successfully removed. All other points are correct.

Monday 12 June

Monday 10 July

Thursday 12 September

Thursday 21 September

Wednesday 4 October

SHEFFIELD

Jurys Inn, S1 4QW

BATH

Bath Cricket Club, BA2 4EX

LONDON

The Medical Society, W1G 9EB

WARRINGTON

The Kings Head, WA2 7TU

LEICESTER

St Martin’s House, LE1 5PZ

Thursday 16 November YORK

Priory Street Centre, YO1 6ET

Monday 4 December

6.15pm to 9.15pm

LANCASTER

The Storey, LA1 1TH

Ring scotoma in high hyperopia

What's your superpower?

Have you heard people talk about neurodiversity and wondered just what it means? Or perhaps you identify as ND, or neurodiverse, and would like more understanding from those who are NT – neurotypical? In this article, you can learn about neurodiversity, conditions like autism and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and read about how two dispensing opticians (DOs) use their neurodiverse skills to their best effect at work.

Teen environmental campaigner Greta Thunberg has been quoted as saying: “I have Asperger’s and that means I’m sometimes a bit different from the norm. And – given the right circumstances – being different is a superpower.” More and more people are being open about their neurodiversity, from campaigning budget cook Jack Monroe to Chris Packham the wildlife expert. The way they think may not be the same as everyone else but ensures that they stand out in their fields.

You are now more likely than ever to meet someone at work who has autism or ADHD – and not just your patients. You may find your colleagues were diagnosed as children – or indeed are asking for a diagnosis as adults. Far from being some sort of bandwagon to jump on, understanding more about how your brain works can enable self-understanding and allow people to function at their best. What’s more, neurodiversity can come with some special skills too.

WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY?

Neurodiversity describes the range of differences in individual brain function and behavioural traits, regarded as part of normal variation in the human population. This includes conditions like autism and ADHD.

It can be easy to focus on these conditions as a disability, but neurodiversity advocates suggest it is better is to focus on what someone’s good at. For example, there’s some

evidence that: “ ...people with ADHD have high levels of spontaneity, courage, and empathy. They can hyper-focus on certain tasks; those with autism pay attention to complex details, have good memories, and show certain 'specialty' skills".

This is not about looking for savant skills, where people have a single skill that exceeds all their others, but accepting that people vary greatly. While the labels of high and low functioning are no longer viewed as helpful, it is clear that people who are neurodiverse have a wide range of skills, abilities and behaviours.

WHAT IS AUTISM?

Autism is not an illness. It is something you're born with and will remain with you throughout life. According to the NHS, autistic people may:

• Find it hard to communicate and interact with other people

• Find it hard to understand how other people think or feel

• Find things like bright lights or loud noises overwhelming, stressful or uncomfortable

• Get anxious or upset about unfamiliar situations and social events

• Take longer to understand information

• Do or think the same things over and over

The amount that each person is affected by these characteristics can vary to a greater or lesser extent. People can mask their autistic characteristics to appear neurotypical, but this takes effort and can be exhausting. Like everyone, autistic people have things they're good at as well as things they struggle with.

There are other names for autism used by some people. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is the medical name for autism. Asperger's (or Asperger syndrome) is used by some people to describe autistic people with average or above average intelligence. Doctors do not diagnose people with Asperger's anymore because it's now thought of as part of ASD. Some autistic people have average or above average intelligence. Some autistic people also have a learning disability.

WHAT IS ADHD?

ADHD is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse, according to the NHS. It is often diagnosed during primary school, but can be recognised later and diagnosed in adults.

"Being different is a superpower," Greta Thunberg

NEURODIVERSITY 'SUPERPOWERS'

People who are neurodiverse can excel at problem solving because they don’t always address issues in the same way as others. They may use creative ways of connecting ideas, and this can help in the role of a DO when facing a dispensing challenge. A deep dive into research on the latest lens types can be a real pleasure for someone with autism as they use their skills of hyperfocus and persistence.

A DO who has autism, or another form of neurodiversity, may use their own experience to show compassion, empathy and understanding for patients with a range of challenges. They may be very accepting of differences amongst others. They also often have high levels of determination, developed through the difficulties they have faced and overcome.

Passion and idealism can also drive someone who is neurodiverse to want to work in a career that helps others. They may have a strong sense of justice and a

MAKING THE MOST OF DIFFERENT ABILITIES

Elaine Spear is a DO at Rutherford Eye Care on the Isle of Wight. She says: “I don’t have a diagnosis, but I’m sure I’m on the spectrum with a bit of ADHD thrown in. I am known for being good with people and children with extra needs. It helps that I have fidget spinners and transformer spinners on my desk.”

Reflecting on how this affects her at work, Elaine says: “I have an instant affinity with anyone differently abled, and can relate in a way most of my colleagues can’t. I’m able to instantly connect with children and adults with autism and other learning disabilities. Also, anyone who has anxiety, depression and mental health issues.”

Looking at what allows her to make the most of her abilities, Elaine says: “The first key is time, and I’m lucky enough to be in a workplace that supports booking longer time slots for any with extra needs. The second is how I talk. I pitch myself in their world and talk on their terms.

"I initially talk to the patient or

keen memory, which will help when learning regulatory requirements and ensuring that patients’ needs are met.

NEURODIVERSITY AND EMPLOYMENT

It’s not always easy being neurodiverse and if you employ someone with autism or ADHD, the first thing to do is ask the person if there are any reasonable adjustments that would make it easier for them at work. People who are neurodivergent are covered by the Equality Act 2010 under the definition of disability (substantial and long-term impact on your ability to carry out day-today activities), so you have a duty to make reasonable adjustments. Adjusting also means that the person can work to the best of their abilities.

ANTONIA CHITTY PHD, MCOPTOM, MCIPR, MPRCA is ABDO head of communications and IT and author of 20 books.

POWERFUL APPROACH TO PROBLEM-SOLVING

Matthew Farrugia is a DO at Gathercole and Ward Optometrists in Ramsey and Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. He says: “In all areas of my life, I like to explore 'why' and have an answer to work with. That’s why I went for a diagnosis in 2016 prior to becoming a student DO. A few weeks later, I had confirmation that I had a mild form of Asperger’s.

“In terms of work, it’s about asking questions and meeting the needs of that person," Matthew continues. "I have a 14-year-old patient who sleeps with his spectacles on and often needs repairs. He has a high prescription and he can panic when he wakes up if he can’t see.

"I said to this boy, 'Do you have a bedside table?' and he said no. We talked about getting a bedside table to put his specs on. His mum was nodding in agreement as we talked. I didn’t try to make a rule about taking them off before bed, but thought about how to give him confidence to adapt.

“Some children need a different approach, however. I took over a consultation from a colleague who was struggling with a child. I discovered he was interested in dinosaurs. We talked about colours of dinosaurs to find a dinosaur colour pair of glasses. I’m proud to say not one patient has come away without choosing their specs.”

child and not the carer or parent. Obviously, I include the parent/carer along the way, and talk directly to them when needed. I say things like, ‘Can I ask you a question?’ and ‘Can I ask you another question?’ Repeated repetitive chat and repeated phrases really engages them, children or adults.”

Elaine’s final tip: “Never loom or surprise anyone when taking measurements and explain everything, especially when you need to get close. Always ask permission before touching anyone, like ‘Can I touch your ears?’ when making adjustments.”

Reflecting on the difference identifying as neurodiverse makes to his practice, Matthew says: “It gives me the power to not judge, to identify, and to take a more appropriate approach to finding the right solution for them. I always discuss what I’m going to do, and make sure there are no surprises.”

He adds: “I used to hide my diagnosis, not because I was ashamed, but I think it was fear that people would think it was an excuse to get away with things. On the contrary, I hated using it as an excuse. Despite not knowing the reasons why I was different, I have succeeded in qualifying. I am a DO, I have a career in eyecare and I can take pride in being neurodiverse."

Matthew Farrugia on graduation day

Elaine Spear at her desk

Planning to succeed

ABDOhas published its 2023 ABDO Annual Plan, setting out the work it will be doing on behalf of members in the year ahead. The Plan, available to download from the ABDO website, details how the Association will support members in 2023, what its priorities are – and how these will help members to develop and succeed in their careers now and in the longer-term.

through to the ABDO Benevolent Fund –are often used by people who never thought they would need them.

"Beyond these resources, we also offer members a full range of benefits – from the rigorous examinations members take at the start of their career and as they pursue specialisms, to the, to the extensive continuing professional development programme. Members also receive access to a wide range of discounts allowing those who make the most of them to recoup much of the cost of their membership," added Alistair.

SIX KEY PRIORITIES

As set out in the Annual Plan, the Association has six priorities for 2023, in line with its vision and values:

1. To review, enhance and promote the products, services and benefits that we provide for members.

2. To raise awareness of members’ roles among employers and other stakeholders.

3. To review and clarify our priorities in relation to enabling members’ professional development.

4. To ensure that we are equipped as an organisation to meet the needs of members in both the short and long term.

Addressing the ongoing challenges that many members face, ABDO chief executive, Alistair Bridge, said: "We know that the ever-increasing cost of living will make this a challenging year, and we will be doing everything we can to support our members. As your professional body, and the only one focused solely on dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians, we will always act in your best interests."

Highlighting the extensive variety of resources available to members, Alistair continued: "ABDO's helplines and member support have never been busier, and we expect that level of activity to remain during 2023. The wide range of services available – from legal helpline support on employment and related issues, counselling services and personal help

5. To advance the profession by developing and implementing our research strategy.

6. To review our international activity to ensure that we are delivering sustainable benefits for members.

"Looking at a few initiatives in more detail, we will continue to promote awareness of the roles that members carry out for the benefit of patients and the public," Alistair continued. "We will conduct a new campaign to raise awareness of members’ roles among employers, drawing on our research to understand employer perspectives. Alongside this, we will continue our programme of engagement with employers, recognising that they have a key role in determining the roles that our members play and the opportunities they have to develop."

PROTECTING YOUR INTERESTS

ABDO has been representing members to protect and promote their interests since its inception. In 2023, it will continue to influence the commissioning of, and fees payable for, eyecare services across the UK by engaging with governments and representative bodies and representing members in a wide range of forums.

The Association will contribute to the development of new eyecare pathways and services, including through its involvement with, and support for, the Local Optometric Committee Support Unit.

"We will also aim to influence the transformation of eyecare services across the UK nations, encouraging more eyecare services to be provided in the community rather than in hospitals," Alistair explained.

As the General Optical Council (GOC) Education Strategic Review nears implementation, the Association will revise the Level 6 diploma in ophthalmic dispensing (FBDO diploma) in line with the GOC’s new standards for qualification providers and new outcomes for DOs, which will be reflected in the new FBDO syllabus.

A new area of work will be to develop a research strategy to build a stronger evidence base for the profession. "This will include publishing research papers and articles, and supporting research by members," explained Alistair.

"Importantly, in the coming years, ABDO will aim to show leadership on equality, diversity and inclusion, promoting opportunities for all members and providing support and guidance for members who experience harassment and discrimination.

"We hope that members feel these priorities will ensure that their membership body is working in an efficient, focused and sustainable way for their benefit, both now and into the future. And the plans we develop this year will ensure that we continue to provide the support our members need long into the future," concluded Alistair.

Dispensing Down Under

Dispensing professionals

'Down Under' benefitted from the specialist expertise of ABDO's Dr Alicia Thompson when she travelled to Melbourne and Sydney to deliver two paediatric dispensing workshops. Instrumental in the delivery of the workshops was the use of ABDO's paediatric heads, covering children of different ethnicities as well as children with Down's Syndrome.

Appointed ABDO director of education, research and professional development last year, Dr Thompson spent seven years researching paediatric facial anthropometry applied to spectacle frame design for her part-time PhD – and was awarded a doctorate from Aston University in November 2021. Renown for her extensive knowledge in the field, Dr Thompson was invited by Specsavers' professional services to present two paediatric dispensing lectures and workshops in both cities at the tail end of last year.

aspect of dispensing was included in the workshops."

The workshops covered facial measurements and facial development, dispensing to children of different ethnicities and to children with Down’s Syndrome, frame requirements, lenses and aftercare. Specsavers also arranged for a crew to film Dr Thompson's lecture to ensure that any professionals unable to attend could learn at a later date.

"It was such an honour to be asked to lecture in Australia yet again," said Dr Thompson. “The audiences were extremely engaged and enthusiastic, so it was an absolute pleasure to share my research and experience gained in paediatric dispensing."

"NO BETTER SATISFACTION"

awareness on appraising the fit of frames, and the processes and techniques we use to best serve the varied and complex needs of this patient group, is more important than ever. While her messages are crucial, Dr Thompson’s delivery is always done so in the most respectful and inclusive manner, which makes her work at all times a delight and a privilege to be part of."

READY TO EVOLVE

Reflecting on the impact that the Covid19 pandemic has had on the delivery of eyecare across the world and the future for the dispensing profession in Australia and New Zealand, Richard said: "Covid-19 saw the whole industry pivot, with changes to everyday lifestyle and the way people access eyecare change dramatically. For dispensing professionals, this has put an even greater focus on the value of developing a foundation of comprehensive knowledge and skills, so we can provide the care and advice to improve the quality of vision for patients in all circumstances.

Specsavers optical dispensers, as they are known throughout Australia and New Zealand, store partners and regional training personnel attended Dr Thompson's lectures, which covered all aspects of the paediatric journey.

Dr Thompson said: "It was important for me to emphasises why it is so vital to enable children to see clearly as they develop. We cannot under-estimate the importance of communication skills with both children and parents, and so this

Richard Couch, head of ophthalmic lenses and dispensing advancement for Specsavers in Australia and New Zealand, who helped organise the workshops, commented: "As dispensers, there can often be no greater professional and personal satisfaction than providing specialised eyecare to children, knowing that good vision is critical to their growth and development. This is even more crucial in current times, with myopia management in children significantly increasing and the industry turning its attention to new developments in lens manufacturing to aid in the management of myopic progression.

"This is why Dr Thompson's knowledge and research into raising

"As the world returns to some semblance of normality, this focus has only grown, demonstrating the critical value of the broad and varied syllabus of the FBDO dispensing diploma to support the evolved eyecare needs of patients. Specsavers has run a pilot of the FBDO programme for a few years, and the students who have passed through gain such a vast appreciation of both patient needs, and how to work with other eyecare professionals.

"Practice owners across Australia and New Zealand are also more aware of the value that such professionals can add within their community, working alongside optometrists and other qualified optical dispensers. It is our aim that in 2023, we will move from a pilot phase and into a fullfledged series of student dispensing optician intakes, ready to embrace the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow," Richard concluded.

Dr Thompson helps a student

Teaching paediatric facial measurements

PREVIEW – 100% OPTICAL OVERVIEW OF EVENTS

Countdown begins

The countdown has begun for 100% Optical 2023, taking place at the ExCeL London from 25-27 February. Championed by all the industry’s leading organisations, including ABDO, the show will feature more than 200 exhibitors, a wide-ranging programme of CPDaccredited education, networking, catwalk shows, business seminars and more.

In collaboration with the Association of Optometrists (AOP), the event's long-standing education partner, 100% Optical will deliver its biggest ever programme of education, with around 140 CPD sessions on offer across 11 different hubs. The sessions will include keynote lectures, discussion workshops, peer reviews and interactive poster trails. Key themes will include myopia management, advances in clinical imaging, including the role of artificial intelligence, and dry eye disease.

TOPICS FOR ALL THE TEAM

With content commissioned to meet the needs of all practitioner types including the wider practice team, the education offering has been curated to allow attendees to fulfil the requirements of their professional development scheme. A myriad of topics and opportunities will be available. On the Main Stage on the Saturday, Tim Cole will discuss the fast-growing trends in optical coherence tomography (OCT) and talk about where this imaging technology is heading.

On the Sunday, Elizabeth Lumb will take to the Main Stage explore what more can be done to speed up the changes needed within the profession to slow down the progression of myopia. On the Monday, Miriam Minihan will discuss the most common vitreoretinal conditions and outline how to recognise them, the degree of referral urgency and how they are managed.

The Dispensing Workshop will provide a broad suite of content to meet the needs of all registrant types including dealing with complaints and myopia management – highlighting the role of the dispensing optician. Visitors will be able to experience making and fitting frames first-hand – learning how some of the highest quality frames are produced, and the processes involved. Content for these hands-on workshops will be provided by both ABDO and the AOP and are prebookable; last minute walk-ins may be available on the day, but cannot be guaranteed.

In the AOP Lounge, a series of peer review sessions will take place across all three days – featuring content delivered by CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision. The Future Practice Hub will feature a range of clinical sessions across all three days in four distinct areas.

HOT TOPICS AND TRENDS

The Optical Academy will sit in the heart of the Business Services Hall, allowing visitors to engage with CPDaccredited education targeted at the wider practice –from optical assistant to practice manager. It will also host a session to showcase the role of independent prescribers, discussion-based content on the use of OCT in contemporary practice and a workshop on scleral contact lenses.

The Future Practice hub will feature four rooms dedicated to: consulting; diagnostics; dispensing and industry 'hot topics'. The dispensing room will offer CPD sessions focusing on front-of-house team tasks, while all rooms will provide the chance to meet and learn in a more intimate environment and ask questions directly to the hosts.

Once again, the catwalk will be live three times a day displaying ophthalmic frames and sunglasses in all colours, designs and styles. Supporting activities on the catwalk will be eyewear stylist and dispensing optician, Dan Scott. Located at the heart of the exhibition, the Design Arcade will platform the latest eyewear trends from emerging and established international brands.

The winners of the Love Eyewear Awards will be announced on the Saturday evening of the show, promising a chance to get together with friends and colleagues and celebrate the independent eyewear industry. Register for 100% Optical at 100percentoptical.com

TREND - SPOT AT THE DAILY CATWALK SHOWS

TRY OUT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY

SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS: AMD IN FOCUS

February is both age-related macular degeneration (AMD) awareness and low vision awareness month. EyecareFAQ has plenty of resources on both topics to share with patients to let them know if you have a low vision optician in practice. EyecareFAQ will also focus on your eyes in your 40s and beyond, and keratoconus this month.

Here is a suggested social media post: 'What is macular degeneration? In macular degeneration there is damage to the cells in the macula. In the early stages this can cause small print to appear distorted'.

Find Q&As on all these topics and in the EyecareFAQ section of the ABDO website and graphics in the EyecareFAQ resources for members section

Find EyecareFAQ on the ABDO website, Facebook , Twitter , Pinterest and Instagram

BUSINESS BITES

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

ABDO now offers a suite of management and leadership development opportunities. This includes the successful diploma and certificate courses leading to Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualifications – as well as CPD-accredited one-day workshops and short online courses on change management and conflict management.

ABDO's recently-introduced short online courses enable individuals to ‘dip their toes in the water’ and study at their own pace. The two courses – one on change and the other on conflict – cover elements of theory and allow the student to apply some of these elements in the workplace. They are CPD-accredited, and can be booked via the Corporate Items Shop on the ABDO website.

The CPD-accredited one-day workshops, held at the ABDO National Resource Centre in Birmingham, offer delegates the opportunity to discuss challenges that may be arising in practice. Find out more and book a place via the Workshops and Short Courses section of the ABDO Business Support Hub.

CONTACT LENS TYPES

In Optical Assistant (OA) Corner last month, dispensing optician Sue Deal looked at the advantages and disadvantages of contact lenses in general. This month, Sue will consider the different types of contact lenses available in more detail.

Sue's article will cover the four main contact lens types seen in everyday practice: scleral contact lenses; rigid gas permeable contact lenses; soft hydrogel contact lenses; and silicone hydrogel contact lenses.

Read OA Corner Part 26 in full on DO Online

Applications for the next CMI-accredited certificate and diploma courses are now open for study commencing on 1 May (applications close on 4 April). Further information can also be found in the ABDO Business Support Hub, under Management and Leadership Training.

FOCUS ON LENS TYPES AND MATERIALS

MEET the ABDO COLLEGE TEAM

Visit the ABDO College Bookshop

Ask about courses for optical assistants and support staff

Discuss becoming a DO Hear about the new contact lens course

abdocollege.org.uk

THE FQE STUDENT REVISION EVENT

SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday 4 to Wednesday 5 APRIL 2023

Join us in April for a ‘not to be missed’ revision event specifically tailored to the 2015 Level 6 Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing. The two day event is open to all FQE student members and covers full FQE practical revision and portfolio guidance.

FQE Revision Event kindly sponsored by

For more information and to book please visit www.abdo.org.uk/events/fqe-student-revision-event/

THE EVENT FEE IS £175 and INCLUDES:

– Accommodation for Tuesday night

– Breakfast, lunch and refreshments

– Evening BBQ and live entertainment

EVENT VENUE: Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, Yarnfield, Stone, STAFFORDSHIRE ST15 0NL

Optical Assistant courses from ABDO College

Optical Assistant courses from ABDO College are great for new staff induction and development of your existing support teams.

Optical Assistant courses lead to qualifications awarded by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

They are for all staff whether you work in retail optics, manufacturing, sales or technical support.

For further information and to apply for these and other courses Visit www.abdocollege.org.uk/courses Call the ABDO College Courses Team on 0 1 22 7 73 8 829 (Op t ion 1 ) or email info@abdocollege.org.uk

Your membership. Your benefits.

Your ABDO membership provides a range of rewards and services that will benefit both your personal and professional life, saving you money every month.

BENEFIT SPOTLIGHT Health and wellbeing

Healthy body, healthy mind. Sure. But a gym membership isn’t always healthy for your bank balance. Fix that with MyGymDiscounts – your

ABDO MEMBER BENEFITS INCLUDE:

• Professional indemnity insurance

• Personal accident cover

• Counselling helpline - FREE 24-hour service

• CPD

• Dispensing Optics

• Access to selected British Standards

• FREE legal helpline

• Discounts on everyday purchases

• Member benefit plans with HMCA

• Access to over 3,000 + health clubs, gyms and leisure centres

• Mobile phones on the best rates available from EE

• Savings on all your travel needs

• Totum card powered by NUS Extra

• Membership of the International Opticians Association (IOA)

• Save on travel insurance policies

• Savings on Apple products

• Advice and Guidelines