Vision Now December 2022

Editor: Nicky Collinson BA (Hons) nicola.collinson@nationaleyecare.co.uk

Features Contributor: Joan Grady jgparischats@wanadoo.fr

Business Editor: Philip Mullins FBDO p.mullins@nationaleyecare.co.uk

Art Editor: Stacey Potter BA (Hons) spottcreative.co.uk

Publisher: Michael C Wheeler FCOptom DipCLP FSMC FAA0

Editor’s comment

As we come to the end of the year, I am sure I’m not alone in wondering what the future holds – both in the short and long-term.

Whilst there are many areas in our lives, both personally and professionally, that we have no control over, there are many which we do. It is the latter which we should turn our attention to as we head into ever-more choppy waters.

In this month’s NEG Business Club feature, Andy Clark introduces the Profit Project, a concept that aims to tap into your practice’s hidden profits – profits that could be used to secure the future and security of your business. The Profit Project is a three-step process (review, plan and do) split into six different areas of practice – all designed to come together “to make the very best of the practice that you already have”. Turn to page 22 to learn more.

In Developing Thoughts, Phil Mullins offers up five HR hacks courtesy of Citation – to help you “nagivate the turbulence” and keep your head when others may be losing theirs. We also share news of the Optical Suppliers Association’s new Green Charter, which aims to ensure as many members as possible are engaged in a sustainability journey. Sustainability is not just a buzzword; it should be a mandate for all businesses that wish to survive. Find tips on making your practice more sustainable in ‘Buying into sustainability’ (page 24).

In our Company Profile, learn about BIB Ophthalmics’ partnership with Optopol – including the origins of the Polish company, its focus for the future and how BIB is working with NEG members to bring the very best in OCT and perimeter technology to patients. With more features and the latest preferred supplier news, we hope you enjoy your last issue of 2022. We look forward to returning in February 2023 – with a positive outlook for the future.

Nicky Collinson Editor

www.nationaleyecare.co.uk

that its publication does not imply that such opinions are those of The PK National Eyecare Group Ltd. Articles submitted for publication should be original, unpublished work and are accepted on the basis that they will not be published in any other journal. Acceptance of material for publication is not a guarantee that it will be included in any particular issue. Copyright © 2022 for Peekay Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying and recording, without the written permission of the publishers. Such written permission should also be obtained before any part of this publication is stored in a retrieval system of any nature.

CooperVision

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and CooperVision shared the results of a survey on the uptake of myopia management at the recent 2022 American Academy of Optometry annual meeting in San Diego. Building on the WCO global resolution, which hopes to advance myopia management as the standard of care, WCO and CooperVision presented a poster titled, ‘Moving the profession to embrace myopia management’ by Sandra Block, Peter Hendicott, Elizabeth Lumb, Susan Cooper and Sidsel Bockhahn-Tylecote.

WCO and CooperVision are working to shift the profession away from the concept of simply correcting refractive error to understanding the elements of its recommended Standard of Care for Myopia Management by Optometrists (2021). The standard of care is based upon the three pillars of: mitigation, management, and measurement. A recent WCO survey showed that global eyecare professionals felt that learning more about myopia management was important to better care for their patients. Find out more and access myopia management resources at myopia.worldcouncilofoptometry.info. Our photograph shows from left: Photo Sandra Cooper, WCO managing director, Sandra Block, WCO president-elect, and Elizabeth Lumb, director, global professional affairs, myopia management, CooperVision.

British Contact Lens Association

A senior researcher and optometrist will oversee the British Contact Lens Association’s (BCLA) Fellowship strategy and encourage more members to come forward and be considered for the title. Dr Sònia Travé Huarte specialises in dry eye

Stepper

As part of its ambition to create ‘eyewear to fit the world’, Stepper UK has launched a collection of Asian Fit frames. “Designed as ‘standalone’ pieces, these frames are not adaptions from existing Stepper Eyewear models,” explained MD Peter Reeve. “They are unique eyewear solutions for spectacle wearers with Asian facial anatomy. As a result, there is no compromise in fit and comfort for the wearer, just an optimal solution for their visual correction.”

Stepper’s World Fit concept identifies six

Menicon

Menicon has become a Bronze Sponsor to the International Association of Contact Lens Educators (IACLE). Explaining the move, Menicon senior executive officer, Hideki Koga, said: “As a contact lens manufacturer, we are dedicated to delivering high-quality contact lens and care products, which are designed with the wearer and hygiene in mind. Eyecare professionals play an important role in wearers’ lives and maximising success with contact lenses.

Partnering with IACLE allows us to support contact lens education, research and best practice evidence-based approaches for those teaching and inspiring the next generation of eyecare professionals.”

IACLE president, Professor Philip Morgan, commented: “We are thrilled that Menicon has joined IACLE as a sponsor – this is

diagnostics and treatments, anterior ocular surface disease management, specialist contact lenses, meibomian gland dysfunction and corneal pain. She is also a clinical supervisor on the optometry programme at Aston University.

Luke Stevens-Burt, chief executive of the BCLA, said: “We wanted a dynamic and enthusiastic individual to uphold and nurture

key measurement differentiators allowing the brand to create designs that fall into the three distinct fits. The measurements are: face form angle/wrap angle, crest height, distance between rims, frame temple width, frame head width, and angle of side.

There are 11 models in the new Asian Fit line, in male and female styles with both TX5 and titanium materials. As part of the company’s commitment to delivering eyewear comfort for all, African Fit models will be available in the UK in the coming months.

Delivering high-quality lenses and supporting education

truly great news for our membership. IACLE sponsors are an integral part of the Association. Certainly, funding from our sponsors is critical for our work, but we very much appreciate their insights into current market trends and other areas of expertise. On behalf of the IACLE leadership, I look forward to working with our colleagues at Menicon and all our sponsors to execute IACLE’s mission of developing outstanding contact lens educators.”

the BCLA Fellowship scheme to a global audience, and we are very much looking forward to working closely with Sònia to enhance the BCLA’s reputation, increase membership and to further foster the BCLA’s reputation as a forum for the interchange of knowledge and education.” For more information on the BCLA’s Fellowship scheme, visit www.bcla.org.uk

Shifting concepts of myopia management

New line of Asian Fit models

Dry eye education website now live

WCO/Alcon

The World Council of Optometry (WCO) and Alcon have launched an online resource in support of their global, evidence-based dry eye disease education initiative. The website – dryeye. worldcouncilofoptometry.info – features on-demand webinars presented by world-renowned faculty, in-practice tools including clinical studies and white papers, and other professional development resources.

WCO president-elect, Dr Sandra Block, said: “Our new website presents the latest dry eye disease data and science to the entire optometric community through trusted information and tools. Of value no matter the size of your practice or the length of your experience, these resources offer practical measures to help improve patients’ quality of life.”

The first on-demand Dry Eye Spotlight webinar is now available: ‘Dry eye disease mitigation’ by professors Jennifer Craig, Lyndon Jones and James Wolffsohn. Registration for future live chat-enabled webinars will open in the weeks ahead, and these include ‘Dry eye disease measurement’ on 17 January, ‘Dry eye disease management’ on 8 March and ‘Dry eye disease wheel tool’ on 16 May. In-practice tools include articles, reports and clinical studies that explore the three main pillars of dry eye disease mitigation, measurement and management. There will also be a featured blog from the initiative’s faculty members with guest bloggers.

Charmant

Elle model 13521 exemplifies the chic Parisian styling of the latest additions to the Elle eyewear collection from Charmant.

The rounded design is made of TR90 and expresses bold elegance in striking shades including classic Havana, dark red (pictured) or pastel shades of blue or rose.

A curvy metallic pleat detail wraps around the front and sides of the frame, giving a discreetly luxurious look.

Essilor

Patients who purchase Varilux lenses before the end of the year will benefit from a new 12-month total satisfaction guarantee. Charlotte Timbury, Varilux product and category manager at EssilorLuxottica in North Europe, said: “Our new guarantee confirms the confidence we have in the comfort and performance that Varilux lenses will deliver to patients and it allows ECPs to pass on this promise to patients.”

Fresh point-of-sale packages have also been launched, including posters, factsheets, leaflets and a window sticker, which can be ordered via Essilor’s business development managers. New social media assets are also available featuring short videos with real-life testimonials from a

CooperVision

CooperVision has added SynergEyes to its CooperVision Specialty EyeCare business unit, creating a complete portfolio for the treatment of keratoconus and the irregular cornea. “Eyecare practitioners are searching for ways to differentiate themselves, with

Other style notes in the new collection for autumn/winter 2022 include bold and minimalist profiles in rounded, cat-eye or rectangular shapes. Colours cover both monotone and gradient expressions, with warm Havana, red and wine the key tones. Fresh flashes of blue, purple and luxe metals present cool alternatives. French pleats with geometric and curved forms are woven into frame end-pieces, fronts and sides.

New marketing assets for Varilux recent Varilux consumer study, as well as a selection of static posts with new imagery for use on practices’ own channels. Both initiatives follow last month’s varifocal lens prescribing CPD training via Leonardo, Essilor’s new learning platform.

a growing number embracing specialty contact lenses for their clinical and business advantages,” said Juan Carlos Aragón, president of CooperVision Specialty EyeCare. “Combining these two specialty segment experts provides a full range of options which delivers a continuum of care for keratoconus.”

New Elle model 13521

Amazing the Loyalty Scheme

Silhouette

Silhouette has added new models to its Clubmaster style. The company’s bestselling Urban Fusion collection combines contemporary styles with a retro feel. There are now four new shapes, two for men and two for women, with a range of colours to choose from.

The Clubmaster style can now offer stronger contours and character that

Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) has honoured its past master, John Baker, with Honorary Liveryman status in recognition of his many years of service to dispensing optics and his lifelong commitment to better eye health. As president, John played an important role in bringing together the Association of Dispensing Opticians with the separate Faculty of Dispensing Opticians. In 1986, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians was formed, of which he remains a proud life member. John also is an honorary member of the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians.

John served for 24 years on the General Optical Council and as the Master Spectacle Maker in 2005-6, with his wife Catherine supporting him. During the year, they met influential figures in the City of London, diplomatic heads and royalty, always pursuing

IOT

Andrew Green has joined ophthalmic lens design company IOT to strengthen the company’s presence in the UK market and collaborate with Lil Creighton-Sims’ team on brand expansion. The British market is one of the most important for the company, which has led it to strengthen the workforce to reach more customers and offer better services.

Urban Fusion model 1608 in 3540

appeals to young style enthusiasts who may opt for deeper, cooler, more casual lens shapes. The sides can be adjusted for a bespoke fit, while screwless snap hinges and shortened sides make for an easy, non-maintenance option.

Each model can be custom fitted at Silhouette’s in-house lens lab with lenses from Silhouette Vision Sensation.

Positive Impact

Lash Builder, a restorative serum for the loss of eyelashes and eyelash condition, which can result from long-term dry eye, meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) and blepharitis, is now available from Positive Impact (PI). Developed by optometrist Craig Wilcox, the maker of the foaming cleanser DemEx, the serum is free from harsh ingredients, such as benzalkonium chloride, prostaglandin analogue-based active ingredients, or their synthetic derivatives. Active ingredients include red clover extract, which is rich in isoflavones and a biomimetic peptide, and acetyl tetrapeptide 3, which helps promote stronger hair follicles.

Craig Wilcox said: “This is about ensuring the best outcomes for patients and taking a more holistic view. Chronic dry eye disease, MGD and blepharitis cause loss of lash condition, which impacts the emotional wellbeing of my patients.

Honorary Livery for past master, John Baker the message of the importance of eye health and the need for professional guidance on all matters relating to vision. The award of Honorary Livery was presented on behalf of the company by its clerk and chief executive, Helen Perkins, in a special ceremony at Rustington Hall, the nursing home where John now spends much of his time.

“We created Lash Builder for this reason, as well as to offer patients an alternative to succumbing to the marketing for online and over-the-counter lash serums, which often contain harmful chemicals that also exacerbate their condition.” Patients apply the serum to their clean eyelids before bed and rinse it off in the morning as part of their usual routine.

17 Twyford Business Centre, London Road Bishop’s Stortford. Herefordshire, CM23 3YT T: 02920 883 009 | F: 02920 889 798 E: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk

“Andrew is a dispensing optician with

10 years’ experience in optics who has just started working with our UK manager Lil Creighton-Sims to help provide our laboratory partners and their customers with even more added value services to ensure their continued growth,” the company stated. “He brings with him a wealth of experience in learning and development as well as practice management, which will help the UK team to go further.”

New dry eye optocosmetic available

100% Optical

100% Optical next February will once again champion independent eyewear designers and manufacturers – and those booked in so far include Vava Eyewear, Vysen Eyewear, Salt, Nine Eyewear, Studio Optx and Bevel, and FFIN. Nathan Garnett, 100% Optical show director, commented: “100% Optical was born out of a desire for independent frame designers and manufacturers to have a Londonbased international show, which is why independents have always been a highlight and key focus. We’re taking it a step further in 2023 with a newly added Makers Corner, featuring interactive sessions which shine a spotlight on unique crafters creating innovative optical designs that hero sustainability.”

As reported last month, the 2023 show will offer its biggest-ever programme of education with some 140 CPD sessions available across 11 different hubs. A new booking process for popular CPD sessions will open in January, with priority access for those registered in advance. The first phase of the education programme is live with further sessions to be released this month. Register at www.100percentoptical.com – and find out what NEG’s preferred suppliers will be presenting at the show in our February issue.

CHECT

The Childhood Eye Cancer Trust (CHECT) has launched a new website –www.chect-tya.co.uk – for teens and young adults who have had retinoblastoma (Rb), which typically affects children under the age of six. The site features stories and interviews with teenagers and young adults who have had Rb, including rugby star Will Jubb, a make-up tutorial for people who have prosthetic eyes by influencer and actress Kelsey Ellison, and a video about learning to love yourself when you have a ‘difference’ by model Olivia Deane. It also offers guidance on issues such as learning to drive and transitioning to secondary school, college or university.

CHECT chief executive, Richard Ashton, said: “We are also proud to announce the launch of our first TikTok channel – where we hope to raise further awareness of issues relating to living with sight loss and the signs and symptoms of Rb.” The Clive Richards Foundation is doubling all donations made to CHECT up to £20,000 until 31 December 2022. Contact fundraising@chect.org.uk or visit www.chect.org.uk.

AN INDEPENDENT VIEW

A year in retrospect

2022 has been a year of transition – and the AIO has been active on a number of fronts.

Two of the most prominent activities over the past 12 months include resisting the move for apprenticeships in optometry (which thankfully appears to have been kicked into the long grass), and working hard with the General Optical Council (GOC) to address the illegal sale of contact lenses both on the High Street and online. There have been several successes on this front, which shows that the GOC is prepared to act when provided with evidence of illegal activity.

Our campaign in respect of reform of the Opticians Act appears to have been at least instrumental in the launch of the consultation by the GOC, to which of course the AIO responded. Our position was as much about enabling the future clinical development of the profession as it was about focusing on narrower issues such as refraction by dispensing opticians (which the AIO favours given certain conditions). Reforming the wording of the Act to provide for greater flexibility in the use of statutory instruments to help the natural development of the profession must surely make sense.

The AIO continues to refine its post-Covid referendum and is looking at how the existing general ophthalmic services regime could be nuanced (perhaps by moving to a voucher scheme) pending wholesale reform, which is so desperately needed. It has also provided support on several occasions to members where the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has illegally rejected sight tests carried out by them and paid for by their patients.

The Association continues to work on its profile, and that of the Eye Promise Scheme, with added resources in social media and website development, and by having a stand at 100% Optical. Regular communications with members by email and our printed in-house journal have been complemented by regular features and articles such as that you are reading now (with thanks to Vision Now).

Our 2022 conference, which was staged with the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists, was a resounding success with record attendance numbers and excellent feedback. The decision has been made to return once again to Chesford Grange in 2023 on 7 and 8 October. It has been a busy year for a small professional body with limited resources, which begs the question of what we could achieve with more members.

Focus on independent frame design

Olivia Deane – a model and influencer who had retinoblastoma

Developing Thoughts

In this month’s Developing Thoughts, Phil Mullins shares five HR hacks from Citation to support your business through the incoming turbulence...

Ultimate HR hacks

The economic news is not good and a recession is on its way. This alone is enough to send shivers down the spine of any business owner – but is it really just a case of holding your nerve – and your business’s purse strings – until the worst is over and green shoots start to appear? We don’t think so.

The brilliant HR and employment law minds at Citation have come up with five of the ultimate HR hacks to help you navigate some of the turbulence, keep you out of panic mode, and get your business ready to face anything the future has in store – even a recession.

1. KEEP COMMUNICATING

While it might be tempting to remain tight-lipped on the challenges a recession may bring your way, your team know what’s going on and they’ll appreciate you keeping the lines of communication clear and open. This could look different ways, depending on how you want to play it. You could, for example, schedule regular get-togethers to update everyone on performance all at the same time. People need reassurance, so don’t gloss over anything. Instead, lay out your plans on how you’re going to tackle up-coming challenges. Set up an employee forum so your teams can have a say, ask questions and even make some cost-saving suggestions. If you do need to introduce cost-cutting measures, explain why you’ve come to this decision and that you’ll keep it under review. Honest conversations can stop resentment in its tracks.

2. BOOST TEAM MORALE

Struggling against rising food and energy prices can really take its toll on your team’s stress levels and mental health. So, look at offering an Employee Assistance Programme, which gives your people access to 24/7, confidential support from trained counsellors on anything from

relationship struggles to financial issues. While it might seem counterintuitive to spend money during a recession, this is one investment worth making. In fact, Deloitte found that for every £1 a business invests in employee mental health, they make an average return of £5. You could look at some (almost) free perks; you might also be able to offer some additional holiday, or more flexible working hours, without too much expense. Little gestures can go a long way in acknowledging that work/life balance has never been more important.

3. UPSKILL YOUR STAFF

Small but significant gestures are really effective in making sure people feel supported. But, in the long run, what people want is an investment in their growth and development. Your business is only ever as strong as your team, and during a recession what you need is a strong team. Keeping your people’s skills fresh with bespoke, interactive training is a great way to prove your commitment to their development, and make sure they’re performing in line with your needs.

Training keeps your employees (and your business) compliant with any mandatory training you have to offer by law (think

health and safety training, anti-bribery training, etc). Keeping old skills fresh and bolstering people with new ones leads to highly-skilled, highly-engaged employees. You can tackle the skills gap head on. Notice any cracks? Plug them with great training. At a time of costly recruitment, investing in your people is a win-win.

4. PUT PROCESSES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

When it comes to providing a great service or product, continuity is king. But in difficult times, it’s a good idea to look at your internal processes and procedures and see if anything could do with a switchup. The only way you can solidly futureproof your business is sorting the wheat from the chaff. That is, strengthening what’s already going well, and making changes to anything that’s not serving your business the way it should be.

5. WEIGH UP STAFF LEVELS VS. DEMAND

No-one likes to think about redundancy. But if you need to cut costs – especially if demand is low – then it can make sense to change your workforce. There’s one big ‘but’ here, though. Always, always make sure you’re considering the alternatives to redundancy before you start redundancy procedures. There’s a chance that, depending on your situation, redundancy could actually leave you in a worse position in the long run. For example, being short-staffed post-recession when demand picks back up again. Alternatives could be: restructuring; layoffs/short-time working; changes to terms and conditions; voluntary changes.

For more help and assistance regarding HR issues, sign up to the How To Hub from Citation or upgrade to the full HR service. For more information, please email Iain at Citation on iainmcgleish@citation.co.uk ■

Invest in your employees’ mental health

Framework for a greener future

The Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) has launched what it calls “the most significant initiative for the entire optical community” – its new Green Charter for Sustainability. The forward-looking project was introduced to members of the OSA at its autumn meeting in October, and was widely welcomed.

“The OSA Green Charter aims to ensure that as many people as possible are engaged in the journey to sustainability,” said Jayne Abel, chair of the OSA Sustainability Committee. “It provides a framework and enables targets to be set, which really helps companies of all sizes to move forward. People want to work in a business which is pushing ahead with a strong ethos.”

OSA members from all sectors of the industry gathered in London to talk about

and share insights on sustainability issues as well as medical device legislation (see box copy), artificial intelligence, and business issues – with the aim of ensuring that optics continued to be as progressive as possible. The OSA’s Sustainability Glossary was also highlighted as a valuable resource.

“Along with the Green Charter, the Sustainability Glossary is a tool for ensuring that there is real understanding of the terms used in the drive to a greener future for the optical community,” explained Jayne, who is the co-founder and CEO of Eyespace.

“The four levels of sustainability accreditation provided by the Green Charter are centred around achieving carbon net zero and eliminating all single-use plastics,” she continued. “It is important to have a robust and authentic strategy to protect the future of our planet. The positivity and peace of mind cannot be underestimated in knowing that your business is becoming part of the solution. It is also something which I know brings respect from industry partners and colleagues.”

CHAMPIONING ECO ACTION

Embarking on the OSA Green Charter calls for a sustainability officer to be appointed in each business, with sustainability champions in place across

MDR REMAINS AT A STANDSTILL

The current ‘standstill period’ for medical device regulation in the UK has been extended for 12 months, leaving current regulations in place until July 2024. This means that manufacturers may continue to use either the CE mark or UKCA mark until 30 June 2024.

The MRHA aims to have new regulations in place by July 2024.

Ann Blackmore, OSA regulatory affairs consultant, said: “The MHRA has confirmed that the government’s continuing intention is to put in place transitional arrangements, which would allow devices that are CE marked under

the company. The aim is that every aspect of operations should be addressed from greener premises, reducing transportation, eliminating paper use and promoting energy savings in production. ISO 14001 Environmental Management is covered in the charter, as is the attainment of B Corp certification in meeting standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

Hoya professional services director, Andy Sanders, praised the Green Charter and confirmed that Hoya was already implementing many of the aspects of the charter, and had already achieved zero to landfill.

Mark Robertson, head of manufacturing at Caledonian Optical, concurred. He said: “A tremendous amount of work has gone into creating the Green Charter and it makes it much easier to share the journey with my colleagues. It is easy to follow and, looking at the charter, it is good to see how much we are already doing.”

Julian Clarke of Caseco agreed, saying: “The sustainability group and the Green Charter being accepted and utilised and used as a foundation for businesses is great.”

Find out more about the OSA and its sustainability initiatives at www.osa-uk.co.uk ■

the EU MDR to continue to be placed on the UK market for five years from the date of the new UK regulations, so until at least 2029. They aim to publish draft regulations covering transitional arrangements and post market surveillance in spring 2023.”

Concerns about capacity across the Approved Body system – currently four – have been recognised. Six further organisations have applied to become UKABs and are under review.

Full details can be found in the business regulation section of www.gov.uk

Jayne Abel, chair of the OSA Sustainability Committee

A new Green Charter for Sustainability will provide a framework for positive action on climate change within the optical industry, says the OSA

MiYOSMART: the smart way to treat myopia in children.

we may close off access because we’re dealing with a number of queries. If a small proportion could have been seen by an ECP, they’ve effectively taken time and effort away from those who should have been seen by us.”

Knowing of the potential for time-saving, you might expect Mohan’s surgery to be in regular contact with local ECPs to ‘educate’ patients. However, the only interaction usually relates to when an ECP needs to refer a patient to an eye clinic but is unable to do so. Mohan’s practice does run training sessions once a month, and members of the wider team also make presentations, but as Mohan comments: “We haven’t had any real input from ECPs and we should explore that”.

Behind closed doors

Dr Mohan Kanagasundaram is a senior partner in a large GP practice in south east England with a wide patient demographic. With some 17,000 patients, he and his colleagues need to carefully marshal their time and resources by directing patients to the most relevant care provider. “Each clinician is allocated around 24 patients a day, but duty doctors may deal with 70 or more,” explains Mohan. “Around five per cent of these patients may have eye issues.”

Procedurally, all patients request help via an electronic form or by speaking to a receptionist, who fills out the same form. Demand is high. “We can easily receive 200 to 300 requests per day and so often have to close our online forms quite early on in the day,” says Mohan.

In an ideal world, Mohan would prefer patients to be directed to where treatment is both effective and fast. For eye-related issues, this may mean sending them elsewhere, especially during the hayfever season when patients present with, for

example, itchy eyes. However, Mohan also sees patients with gradually worsening blurred vision or watery/slightly red eyes because “some think that opticians only sell them glasses and contact lenses, but for anything else they need to see their GP”.

SCREENING FOR SEVERITY

Notably, the practice doesn’t offer every patient an appointment. Instead, it screens and depending on what the patient reports, they may be asked for a photograph, which may lead to redirection to a pharmacy for an OTC remedy. But where the doctor thinks it is a visual issue, they’ll be pointed to an eyecare practitioner (ECP).

Some patients don’t like being ‘sent on’, but Mohan thinks that overall they are happy with the practise “because we get back to them relatively quickly”. Managing demand means not allowing the build-up of a backlog – even if that means a patient has to call again the next day.

Mohan recognises that the process isn’t perfect and gives the example of a patient redirected to an ECP, who subsequently thought they should go to a hospital. A small delay would have been introduced into their treatment. That said, “where patients are that worried about their eyesight they’d probably go to A&E” and “in general, patients are quite good at determining severity.”

Mohan gets frustrated with patients “who may be clogging up the system, and

TAKING A WIDER APPROACH

Mohan believes it would help if the public could be taught to approach the right care provider in the first place, and that wider media activity should be a serious consideration. “I think on the back of an NHS campaign, patients could be told that they don’t always need to go to their GP,” he says. “This could lower demand at GPs and give patients a faster service.”

Mohan raises a key point: the cost implications for patients. Most services that GPs offer are free at the point of access, which may not be the case at an optical practice. He thinks some behaviours are driven by this fact, and this won’t ever change; “the challenge is to manage demand versus capacity”.

Interestingly, Mohan thinks the biggest concern for GPs is patients “who should be self-caring but don’t, and those who could go to a pharmacist for an OTC product and don’t”.

While Mohan doesn’t think that patients have unreasonable expectations of what their GP can do, he does remind them that ECPs are highly trained, have better equipment and can make thorough assessments. “Patients are so used to going to their GP as the first point of call,” he says, especially if there’s the prospect of a free prescription.

Mohan believes local GPs and ECPs should reach out to understand each other’s skill sets, capacities and waiting times. One suggestion on the part of ECPs might be to offer to run a presentation at your local GP practices about the services you offer in your practice. Will this change things? Will patients in your community learn when their ECP should be their first port of call? You never know... ■

Adam Bernstein goes behind closed doors’ to hear how one GP manages patients with eye issues and how he believes the system could be improved.

ECPs rather than GPs should often be the first port of call

Dr Mohan Kanagasundaram

Optopol and BIB: an instrumental match

Progressing from a simple domestic distributor to the recognised global manufacturer it is today, Optopol Technology has come a long way since it was first established by Adam Bogdani in 1992. The business began by concentrating on product distribution –importing optical machinery and ophthalmic diagnostic devices then distributing them in the domestic Polish market to optical workshops and ophthalmic practices. Seven years later, in 1999, things changed when Adam set up a production facility.

At first, the company manufactured electric tables and refraction units in order to present a comprehensive offer to its clients. Gradually, however, the scope of production was expanded and the first diagnostic device was manufactured: an automatic perimeter for visual field analysis. This area was continuously developed, as the next generation of perimeters, chart projectors, corneal topographers and applanation tonometers came on line. The biggest success was to come in 2006, when Adam cooperated with Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun. The outcome was the creation of the world’s first commercially available spectral domain optical coherence tomographer (OCT). This product line has been continuously developed ever since, elevating the company to one of the top players in the OCT market. Currently, Optopol is focusing on the further development of OCT devices and automated

static and kinetic perimeters.

In 2014, Optopol became an independent company again after leaving the Canon Group, which had previously bought controlling shares, and continued to develop diagnostic devices for ophthalmology.

Adam Bogdani’s vision of running a Polish, professional company – both recognisable and esteemed in the global market – is successfully continued to this day under the management of his son, Marcin Bogdani.

BIB’S ENTRY INTO OCT

After the boom in demand for OCT technology, we were watching the market for an opportunity to add an OCT device to our portfolio of products. Several opportunities arose along the way, but the one we followed and desired the most, as

it offered all that we were looking for, was Optopol’s solution – the Revo OCT.

Optopol was the only company that produced an OCT that provided speed, ease of use and very high-quality tomograms – all in a well-designed, compact unit. The system was also well future-proofed and had a highly competitive price point.

›

back all

from Canon. Launched a new generation of Optopol Revo branded spectral domain OCT devices and new models of automated perimeters: the PTS series ■

Launched the Revo NX OCT – the world’s fastest OCT – at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeon congress in Copenhagen ■

Established a new global supply chain and appointed BIB Ophthalmic Instruments as its UK distributor

The late Adam Bogdani

In this month’s profile, Tim Baker talks about BIB Ophthalmic Instruments’ special partnership with Optopol Technology – and its latest advances.

Inside Optopol’s manufacturing facility

Optopol also offered a fantastic range of visual field analysers – now an integral part of our product offering. Combining the two technologies facilitated the new, and now recognised, ‘structure and function’ analysis for more detailed quantification and monitoring of glaucoma.

After initially registering our interest when we first saw Optopol’s Revo OCT device at the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting in 2014, we were delighted when we were appointed its new UK distribution partner in 2016. Since then, Optopol and its product offering has played a major role in our continued sales growth year on year.

AFTER SALES AND SERVICE IS KEY

At BIB, we believe that our customers’ success is our success. As well as providing the right product at the right price, a vital part of our success is to ensure we offer the very best advice and provide the very best after sales and service available. From the outset, we have invested heavily in key service personnel who are all factory trained and carry all the necessary tooling to ensure minimum downtime for our customers.

As OCT is fast becoming a vital diagnostic tool for many practitioners, along with providing a return on investment for the practice, it is imperative that we offer a

fast response should the need arise. After all, our customers have trusted us with their investment so it’s only right that we demonstrate the same trust in return by protecting their investment long-term. Of course, we would hope to be the first choice when the opportunity arises for future repeat business.

OPTOPOL REVO FC OCT

The Optopol Revo FC OCT is a multipurpose instrument that boasts some powerful features. These include:

■ A scan speed per second of 80,000

■ Fundus resolution of 12.3 MP

■ Fully automatic operation

■ An OCT scanning range of 16mm (12 x12)

■ An anterior scanning range of 3-16mm

■ Structure and function analysis

■ Full anterior visualisation with no adaptor required: provides a complete cataract, cornea and glaucoma analysis with measurement and recording facility.

Scans are achieved without the use of any adaptor or additional forehead bar

■ Biometry measurement software for measuring axial length in myopia management

■ Angiography

■ Topography

■ Ganglion cell asymmetry analysis

■ Real-time eye tracking

■ Review licences included for free

In addition to its powerful features, the Revo FC OCT design is very compact. Floor space is reduced as there is no need for an operator and patient to sit either side of the device. There is no internal PC, which promotes greater product longevity. Full automation coupled with programmable scan patterns (scan protocols) allows for multiple scans to be taken at the touch of a button, streamlining the screening process. Data is saved automatically and can be set up to be transferred to a practice management system or be output for referrals (DICOM ready).

We at BIB believe Optopol’s products meet the highest standards and demands in cutting-edge diagnostic OCT and perimeter technology. We look forward to working with NEG members and sharing exciting, ongoing product developments throughout 2023.

For further information, please contact BIB on 01438 740823 or email sales@bibonline.co.uk.

Tim Baker is group CEO of BIB Ophthalmic Instruments. ■

If there was £100 hidden in your practice, and if when you found it you could keep it, would you look for it?

And then, if you could go back to the same hiding place and pick up another £100 every day and be £26,000 better o by the end of the year, would you do that too?

If you just said “Yes” you need to see this www.negbc.co.uk

Revo

Revo FC OCT anterior full scanning range

Revo FC OCT anterior segment image

Optopol’s Revo FC OCT (other models include the Revo FC 130, Revo 60 and 80)

owner’s personal bank account.

In the Profit Project we’ll show you how to fine-tune your business so you can unearth your hidden profits. But there are some things that we won’t be doing:

■ We won’t be suggesting that you copy a model that happens to work for a different person, in a different practice in a different location with a different patient base.

■ We won’t be suggesting that you force your current patients to choose between accepting a different service or going elsewhere.

■ We won’t be suggesting that a single new idea will magically fix everything.

■ We won’t be making you pay for a report and then leaving you to implement new ideas on your own.

Are profits hiding in your practice?

If there was £100 hidden in your practice and, if when you found it you could keep it, would you look for it? And then, if you could go back to the same hiding place and pick up another £100 every day and be £26,000 better off by the end of the year, would you do that too? If your answer is ‘Yes’, you’re going to like this…

By Andy Clark

Practice profitability is under increasing pressure right now and practice owners are facing new and very real challenges. Practices all over the country are reporting that the cost-of-living crisis is causing patients to hesitate before attending. And when they do attend, they are more reluctant to purchase, and when they purchase, they are spending less. They are also reporting that recall isn’t nearly as effective as it used to be (though it still seems to be good at attracting the ‘worried well’). Rising frame and lens prices are forcing practice owners to make one of two choices: 1) either push prices up at a time when their patients are becoming very sensitive to how much things cost; or 2) take the price hikes on the chin and reduce their gross profits. To cap it all, their teams

The Profit Project aims to locate hidden profits

are looking for a pay rise because their wages aren’t keeping up with the cost-ofliving increases. If there was ever a time to focus on your profitability, it’s right now.

THE PROFIT PROJECT

We have found that most independent practice owners are missing out on thousands of pounds of ‘hidden’ bottomline profits every year. These are hidden profits that could be used to ensure the security of the business, improve the practice, take better care of the patients, reward the staff, or simply drop into the

What we will doing is helping you to apply sound business principles, and make decisions based on good data in a planned way to make the very best of the practice that you have already built. Then we’ll show you how to make it happen and stay with you while you get the jobs done.

We’ve been unearthing hidden profits for our clients for more than 12 years now, and we think we know all the best hiding places.

For the Profit Project, we’ve created a diagnostic system to show you where your hidden profits might be, and an extensive support system to give you tools, training, and support while you go to work on your bottom line.

THREE-STEP PROCESS

The Profit Project is a three-step process: Review, Plan, Do.

1. REVIEW

First, you will be provided with two essential scorecards that create a detailed picture of where your profit is coming from and where the opportunities are for more of it.

2. PLAN

Then, we’ll help you to decide which projects to work on next. We’re big fans of going for the quickest, easiest and, most of all, the biggest wins first. And then we will help you create a plan for your projects and set you up with tools and resources to help you to get the jobs done.

3.

DO

Now you will go to work. Just two or three hours a week may be all you need – and you won’t be on your own. You’ll have access to our comprehensive toolbox, the Practice Building (PB) Studio and a

Six groups combine to bring you more over time

Profit Project Mastermind session every Wednesday afternoon to review your progress, get answers to your questions, make your plans, share experiences, and smash any obstacles that might get in your way.

There are six groups of Profit Projects – all designed to come together over time to bring you more. Read on...

1. MORE NEW PATIENTS

With these projects, you’ll create a marketing machine that gives your ideal new patients plenty of reasons to choose your practice instead of your competitors’. We’ll help you create and deliver a strategic marketing calendar that presents a cycle of core messages, and a tactical calendar that enables you to respond in a rapidlychanging market. You will have full access to the PB Studio, our lowest prices for our fabulous and very affordable Prêt campaigns, and the whole studio team for your bespoke marketing projects.

2. MORE RETURNING PATIENTS

With these projects you’ll build stronger relationships with, and encourage more repeat sales from, your database by sending them regular updates that they are happy to receive. We have proved that properly engaging with your database on a regular basis pays dividends in extra sales, fewer patient defections and more profit.

3. MORE RECALLED PATIENTS

With these projects, you’ll use recall to make sure that any remaining gaps in your appointment books are filled. Postpandemic recall can’t be relied upon to fill appointment books in the way that it was previously. Now it’s about cost-effectively reminding people when they are due, and reconnecting with those who don’t respond as part of your bigger plan.

4. MORE SALES

With these projects, you’ll teach your whole team to actively recommend your products and services so your patients purchase more while increasing customer satisfaction scores at the same time. You’ll create a system for consistently delivering an experience for your customers that ensures that they both like and trust you and your team, and leave with creating great stories to tell their friends.

Our Can Help You With That online sales training platform will show your entire team how to increase sales without being pushy. You will have on-demand 24/7 access so you can train them individually or in groups, and as often as you wish. We often see sales increases by more than 20 per cent when this system is applied.

5. MORE GROSS PROFIT

With these projects, you’ll keep more of the money that you make by refining your pricing policy, making your optometry profitable and optimising your frame stocks. Most practice owners don’t give this section nearly enough attention. Gross profit tends to slip unless it is carefully managed, and when it’s managed properly, a small increase can have a big impact on a practice’s bottom line.

Setting and regularly reviewing your price lists with the Price Planner Project will help you to achieve a planned gross profit margin. The Profitable Optometry Project will show you how to move towards ensuring that optometry doesn’t have to be subsidised by dispensing sales. The Frame Stock Profile Project will make sure that you always have best sellers on display without locking funds into stock that is going nowhere. A PB study in 2021 revealed that the average practice was holding unnecessary stock to the value of £21,000. This project will find your overstocks and, hence, your opportunities sell more and invest less.

6. MORE NET PROFIT

With these projects, you’ll take control of your profitability by creating a budget, setting targets, making a break-even plan, and creating a business model that shows you how to deliver your desired bottom line.

MORE PROFIT = MORE OPTIONS

Importantly, the Profit Project isn’t about making profit for profit’s sake. It’s about the fact that making more profit gives practice owners more options: options to build better practices, to enjoy better lifestyles and to ultimately sell their practices for a better price.

The Profit Project is a programme exclusively for practice owners who are committed to growing their bottom lines, who are willing to go to work and are determined to make results happen. It’s included in the NEG Business Club membership – and at just £270 per month – it easily pays for itself and much more.

Let’s assume that you use the Profit Project to only generate an extra £100 profit a day; that’s an extra £500 profit a week, an extra £26,000 profit a year, and a fantastic 802 per cent return on your investment in your NEG Business Club membership.

We can’t make any promises about how much hidden profit you will find, because every practice is different and the projects rely on you investing your time and effort to do the work, but we do know that you should have a lot to gain and next to nothing to lose.

Book a no-obligation consultation today and discover how the Profit Project will help you to discover where your hidden profits might be and how to go about grabbing them. Go to www.callpb.uk to book a convenient time. You can’t have the profits that you’ve already missed, don’t miss any more. You can join the NEG Business Club at www.negbc.co.uk

Help is at hand to unearth hidden profits

Access PB’s sales training platform 24/7

Andy Clark is director of Practice Building. ■

Buying into sustainability

Are your patients asking you questions about where your products come from? Do they want to drop off spectacles or contact lenses for recycling? Is a wall of sustainable frames a reality in your practice, or something you aspire to?

Whatever your views, sustainability is on the public agenda and here to stay. What’s more, with the NHS working towards being the world’s first net zero health system, all business owners should be considering how to become more environmentally friendly.

One of the key parts of this is sustainable procurement: ensuring that all practice supplies are as sustainable as they can be. Read on to find out more about how to make your business more sustainable, with advice from some of NEG’s preferred suppliers.

PEOPLE, PLANET, PROFITS

Kevin Gutsell runs NEG preferred supplier Centrostyle. As a qualified dispensing optician, he also sits on the sustainability working group of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). Kevin says: “Many of the issues surrounding sustainability are problems we’ve never really faced. The question is: where do we start? And I believe it starts with the people: get people behind you to set up the processes so they believe in the outcomes.”

Kevin’s advice applies to practices and optical suppliers alike. Working towards sustainability requires the right mindset. You need to be clear about your motivation, be it public and patient demand, NHS requirements, or saving the planet for future generations.

Kevin has been involved in ABDO’s Thinking Green campaign and the annual SEE Summit, which focuses on Social, Ethical and Environmental as well as Economic factors in developing sustainable businesses, otherwise known as the three Ps: people, planet and profits. A sustainable business needs to be one which survives, so true sustainability needs to incorporate a sound business plan and reliable suppliers.

Kevin says: “What we saw from this year’s SEE Summit is a small insight into what is happening at the design stage. Most suppliers have a policy in how they obtain

materials, package and transport – and are aiming to become more green in their own right. As a business owner, you need to ask suppliers where their materials come from. You need to read their corporate social responsibility documentation. And you need to decide if that meets your needs in aiming to become a more sustainable practice.”

Kevin adds: “Honesty is key, so look out for policies that highlight not just what a company is doing, but what they know they could do better; areas that they will be working on.”

WALKING THE ECO WALK

In practical terms, Kevin has made a few changes at his business, which have added to its sustainability, and he has more ideas in the pipeline. He explains: “We moved premises over the summer, which has cut my commute and allows other staff to walk to work, saving an average commute of seven miles each way.”

Considering the future Kevin says: “I looked at hybrid cars for my sales team but they just don’t give enough miles yet. For us, this might be another two years away but considering both the environment and the UK’s independence in terms of fuel, electric will be the way forward.”

Centrostyle also supplies frames from Neyture, which runs a carbon offset programme by investing in projects that clean up rivers in Italy.

Alongside his own plans, Kevin says:

“If I was in practice, I would like to see diminishing use of single use plastics, and comparable prices with budget frames for sustainable options. There needs to be more sustainable products at every price point.”

If you are considering offering a wider range of sustainable frames, Kevin suggests: “As a supplier, you have to sell the story, offer marketing materials, explain how to promote the product. Practitioners should be able to say to patients, ‘It does everything you’d expect and…’ Then explain the sustainability features. Pick out the words people want to hear: ‘sustainable’ may cause people to be a little lost, whereas ‘environmentally-friendly’ can appeal more.”

Summing up, Kevin says: “We don’t know what will happen in the future, but we need to do our best for the planet, for our children and grandchildren. Don’t look back and wish you had made a change: make that change now.”

QUESTIONS TO ASK SUPPLIERS

Optometrist Simon Berry has developed a questionnaire, which he uses with all his suppliers. It covers whether the supplier has its own environmental policy, or indeed any environmental or other certification. It asks about traceability of materials, and whether manufacturing conditions are humane and ethical. The questionnaire also looks at the source of materials in the product, whether the material is recyclable, and whether the manufacturer is making efforts to

reduce the environmental impact of its packaging.

Implementing a questionnaire like this has benefits for business and helps you answer patient questions too. Simon comments: “I think the best thing about starting to communicate sustainability findings with patients is that they have never thought about the issues in our industry. It’s that slight change of mindset, making them think about a different industry, and issues that they don’t always hear about on the news, that will make the biggest difference in the long run.”

ACTING ON PACKAGING

Packaging is an area where we can all see waste – but before you rush to put packaging in the recycling bin, think about what you can do to reduce the amount in the first place. After reducing our carbon footprint, reduction of waste is a key issue within the optical community and one that patients are also invested in. The waste hierarchy illustration shown here outlines how saying no to excess packaging, then reducing what we use are the first steps.

Carry out a waste audit to assess the different categories of waste coming out of your practice. Look at what you could say no to. Open up a dialogue with your suppliers and ask them to think about how they package the products they send to you. Would they take back packaging to allow it to be reused? Can other single use items be reused or repurposed? You may decide to switch suppliers depending on their responses.

Consumer demand to recycle frames and lenses is growing. People want to see their supplier – that’s your practice – taking back items they have supplied. Here is a list of companies that currently offer recycling boxes for your practice:

■ Recycline: spectacle frames and lenses

■ Refactory (formerly Reworked): spectacle frames and lenses

■ Opticlean: dummy lenses

■ Terracycle: contact lenses

You can explore each company’s website to see what they do with the plastics and, in some cases, metals that they reclaim.

REVIEWING YOUR STANDARDS

“Sustainability is something all businesses should be aware of and acting upon,” says

“BIB is actively engaged in sustainability, and parts of this are touched upon in our ISO-9001 standards. However, there are now more detailed, more specific and more relevant standards that can be achieved”

(seeboxcopy).

As a practice owner, if you want to ask your rep what standards of sustainability their company has achieved, Tim advises: “Quite often these standards are achieved by the manufacturer, but not the UK distributor or wholesaler, and we fall into this category.”

The Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) Sustainability Committee was formed to guide and help members to achieve better sustainability in their business practices, along with a recognised accreditation which will also be evidence-based and maintained.

Tim says: “This starts with the appointment of a sustainability officer or representative. Herein lies another question that practice owners can ask, ‘Who is the company’s sustainability officer?’ You can then go on to ask for the company’s Sustainability or Environmental Policy Statement along with any accreditations, including those of manufacturers they represent.”

The OSA recently released its Sustainability Green Charter, providing further information and accreditation opportunities on sustainability for its members. Once accreditation is achieved,

member companies can then share this with practice owners/customers (seepage15).

TRAVEL TOP TIPS

While travel may not be part of procurement, it certainly is a key factor in the carbon emissions of any practice.

The Annual Carbon Footprint of NHS Sight Tests at Five Optometry Practices calculates the annual carbon footprint of NHS sight tests at five fixed site optometry practices in the North West, and estimates the average carbon footprint of an NHS sight test and identifies variation between practices.

The research, which was carried out by the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare in partnership with NHS England and NHS Improvement (Cheshire & Merseyside) and Cheshire Local Optical Committee, found that greenhouse gas emissions associated with staff commuting and patient travel are the highest contributor to the annual carbon footprint of NHS sight tests at the practices. You could carry out a patient survey to discover how patients typically reach your practice, and consider how you could encourage people to switch to more sustainable modes of transport, perhaps in collaboration with other local businesses.

RELEVANT STANDARDS THAT APPLY TO SUSTAINABILITY:

■ ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems

■ ISO 14064 - Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals Quantification and Reporting

■ ISO 14064-1:2018 - Greenhouse Gases - Part 1 Quantification and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals

■ ISO 14064-2:2019 - Greenhouse Gases - Part 2 - Quantification, Monitoring and Reporting of Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions or Removal Enhancements

■ ISO 14064-3:2019 - Greenhouse Gases - Part 3 - Verification and Validation of Greenhouse Gas Statements

■ ISO 14021:2016 - Environmental labels and declarations - Self-declared environmental claims (Type II environmental labelling) PAS 2060 Carbon Neutrality Standard

■ ISO 14067:2018 - Greenhouse gases - Carbon Footprint of Products

■ PAS 2050:2011 - Specification for the Assessment of the Lifecycle of Greenhouse Gas Emissions of Goods and Services

■ ISO 50001 - Energy Management Systems

Reduction of waste is a key issue

Tim Baker of BIB Ophthalmic Instruments.

Hierarchy

Preferred Suppliers’ directory

tel: 01580 713698 | web: www.nationaleyecare.co.uk

ALCON UK

tel: 0371 376 0017 | fax: 0871 351 1005 | web: www.uk.alcon.com

ASSOCIATED OPTICAL

tel: 01628 600410 | fax: 01628 666495 | email: sales@assopt.co.uk web: www.associatedoptical.com

ATLANTIC OPTICAL UK LTD tel: 02920 362 136 fax: 02920 362 137 email: info@atlanticoptical.co.uk web: www.atlanticoptical.co.uk

BAUSCH + LOMB tel: 020 8781 2900 | web: www.bausch.co.uk

BIB OPHTHALMIC INSTRUMENTS

tel: 01438 740823 email: sales@bibonline.co.uk web: www.bibonline.co.uk

BONDEYE OPTICAL

tel: 0121 7723888 | fax: 0808 2801865 email: sales@bondeyeoptical.co.uk | web: www.bondeyeoptical.co.uk

CARDNET tel: 0345 604 2491 Option 2

CENTROSTYLE OPTICAL CENTRE SUPPLIES LTD tel: 01923 239267 | fax: 01923 253951 | email: sales@centrostyle.com | web: www.centrostyleproducts.com

CFH DOCMAIL tel: 07834 173 288 | email: chris.burridge@cfh.com web: www.cfhdocmail.com

CHARMANT UK CO LTD tel: 020 8992 9222 | fax: 020 8896 0287 | email: sales@charmant.co.uk | web: www.charmant.co.uk

CITATION tel: 0161 464 6731 I email: enquiries@citation.co.uk web: www.citation.co.uk

CONTINENTAL EYEWEAR tel: 0151 426 3907 | fax: 0151 426 9340 | email: sales@continental-eyewear.co.uk | web: www.continental-eyewear.com

COOPERVISION tel: 0870 9000 055 | email: enquiries@coopervision.co.uk | web: www.coopervision.co.uk

DE RIGO UK LTD tel: 01923 249491 | email: info.uk@derigo.com web: www.derigo.com/en

DUNELM OPTICAL tel: 01388 420420 | fax: 01388 810101 | email: dunelm@dunelmoptical.co.uk | web: www.dunelmoptical.com

ESSILOR tel: 01454 281281 fax: 01454 28128 | email: orders@essilor.co.uk | web: www.essilor.co.uk

EYESPACE tel: 01527 870550 fax: 01527 837012 | email: info@eyespace-eyewear.co.uk | web: www.eyespace-eyewear.co.uk

GO EYEWEAR UK LTD tel: 0800 9178270 web: www.goeyeweargroup.com

HILCO EUROPE

tel: 0800 591150 | email: info@hilco.co.uk web: www.hilcovision.co.uk

HOYA LENS UK tel: 0845 330 0984 | fax: 0845 330 0977 | email: enquiries@hoya.co.uk | email: orders@hoya.co.uk web: www.hoyavision.com/uk

INTERNATIONAL EYEWEAR LTD

tel: 0121 585 6565 | fax:0121 585 0954 | email: sales@internationaleyewear.co.uk web: www.internationaleyewear.co.uk

LAB3SIXTY

tel: 0113 5211071 | email: Info@Lab3Sixty.co.uk web: www.lab3sixty.co.uk

LENSTEC EYEWEAR tel: 02920 857122 | fax: 02920 920480 email: eyewear@lenstec.co.uk | web: www.lensteceyewear.co.uk

LENSTEC OPTICAL

tel: 02920 883009 | fax: 02920 889798 | email: LenstecCC@lenstec.co.uk web: www.lenstecopticalgroup.co.uk

LOUIS STONE OPTICAL LTD tel: 029 2073 5293 fax: 029 2073 1446 | email: info@louisstone.co.uk web: www.louisstone.co.uk

Preferred Suppliers are suppliers who, by prior arrangement, offer members of the PK National Eyecare Group preferential terms. For full details and terms offered to the membership, please call 01580 713698 or visit the Members Area of our website www.nationaleyecare.co.uk.

LUXOTTICA (UK) LTD

tel: 0808 1658 8555 | web: www.luxottica.com/en

MARCHON tel: 0800 72 2020 | web: www.marchon.com | email: csuk@marchon.com

MARK’ENNOVY tel: 0800 3280610 fax: 0800 3280649 | email: mkservices@markennovy.com | web: www.markennovy.com

MENICON UK LTD (FORMERLY DAVID THOMAS) tel: 01604 646216 | fax: 01604 790366 | email: enquiries@menicon.co.uk | web: www.menicon.co.uk

MID-OPTIC tel: 01332 295001 | fax: 01332 295158 email: orders@midoptic.com | web: www.midoptic.com

MPG GmbH tel: 07583 076 132 | email: andrew.davies@mpg-eyewear.com | web: www.mpg-eyewear.com

NORVILLE tel: 01452 510321 email: sales@norville.co.uk | web: www.norville.co.uk

No7 CONTACT LENSES tel: 01424 850620 | fax: 01424 850650 | email: info@no7contactlenses.com | web: www.no7contactlenses.com

OPTINET LTD tel: 0845 313 0233 | email: sales@optinetuk.com | web: www.optinetuk.com

PERFORMANCE FINANCE

tel: 01536 529696 fax: 01536 310033 | email: info@performancefinance.co.uk web: www.performancefinance.co.uk

POSITIVE IMPACT tel: 08446 696907 email: sales@positiveimpact.co.uk | web: www.positiveimpact.co.uk

PRACTICE BUILDING tel: 0800 840 3988 | email: andy@practicebuilding.co.uk | web: www.practicebuilding.co.uk

PRO-OPTIC tel: 01884 266130 | email: sales@pro-optic.com | web: www.pro-optic.com

RETAIL EXPERIENCE DESIGN (RED) tel: 024 7710 3494 | email: design@retailexperiencedesign.co.uk | web: www.retailexperiencedesign.co.uk

RODENSTOCK tel: 01474 325555 | email: sales@rodenstock.co.uk | web: www.rodenstock.co.uk

SEIKO OPTICAL UK tel: 01452 610033 | fax: 01452 638250 | email: orders@seiko-optical.co.uk | email: info@seiko-optical.co.uk web: www.seikovision.com/uk

SILHOUETTE UK LTD tel: 020 8987 8899 fax: 020 8987 2430 email: office@silhouette-uk.co.uk web: www.silhouette.com

SPEC-CARE LTD tel: 01392 460806 | email: info@speccareservices.co.uk | web: www.speccareservices.co.uk

STEPPER UK

tel: 01732 375975 email: sales@stepper.co.uk | web: www.steppereyewear.com

TANT LABORATORIES

tel: 01279 653785 | fax: 01279 658308 email: TantCC@tantlabs.com | web: www.lenstecopticalgroup.co.uk

THEA PHARMACEUTICALS

tel: 0345 521 1290 fax: 01782 717 944 email: theasupport@spectrum-thea.co.uk web: www.thea-pharmaceuticals.co.uk

ULTRAVISION

tel: 01525 381112 | fax: 01525 370091 | email: info@ultravision.co.uk | web: www.ultravision.co.uk

Windcave Ltd tel: 0800 088 6040 | email: sales@windcave.com web: www.windcave.com

When you prescribe contact lenses, you prescribe freedom. We’re stepping up to do more, supporting you to Prescribe Freedom for more people than ever coopervision.co.uk