10 February 2023

FODO member update - 10 February

This week:

• Electronic referral update England
• Further advice for primary eye care about the MHRA IOL alert
• NHSBSA CPD lecture on MHRA safety alert and GOS
• Independent opticians win SightCare Excellence Awards
• NIH reports that early anti-VEGF treatment for DR does not improve VA
• Practice visits start in Wales
• In case you missed it
• Other sector news

Electronic referral update England

Members in England have been in touch to raise concerns about misunderstandings and miscommunication at a local level about eERS implementation.
 
Please continue to share this sector patient safety alert where necessary to ensure local systems understand why the introduction of electronic referrals - which primary eye care fully supports - cannot be rushed. Put simply, the proper
infrastructure and support must be in place before turning off paper referrals.
 
Please keep sending your updates to LOCs and FODO by emailing [email protected], so we can track developments as a sector and then manage this in a coordinated way through the Information and IT Committee and LOCSU. 

Further advice for primary eye care about the MHRA IOL alert

In partnership with sector partners, FODO issued this further advice for primary eye care about the MHRA IOL alert. Do get in touch with us at [email protected] if you have any further questions.

NHSBSA CPD lecture on MHRA safety alert and GOS

NHSBSA will deliver a non-interactive 30-minute lecture on the recent MHRA patient safety alert (concerning the recall of NIDEK EyeCee One Pre-loaded and EyeCee One Crystal Pre-loaded inter ocular lens). It will also explain how to make a GOS claim for IOP checks as an emergency measure. The lecture is at 7pm on 13 February and will attract 0.5 CPD points for optometrists and DOs. Book here.

Independent opticians win SightCare Excellence Awards

The SightCare Awards, which promotes and celebrates independent practice, has recognised six practices this year. The winners included David Burghardt Vision Care, which won practice team of the year and Hammond Opticians for community practice of the year. Read more about all six practices. Many congratulations to all from FODO.  

NIH reports that early anti-VEGF treatment for DR does not improve VA

The US National Eye Institute (NIH) reports on research showing that early anti-VEGF treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) slowed the progression of severe disease but did not improve visual acuity (VA) compared to treating more severe disease. Although a single study, Raj Maturi, MD, the protocol chair, said: "This study indicates that monitoring patients regularly for vision-threatening diabetes complications and treating eyes only as needed is the best approach." Read the full story at NIH. 

Practice visits start in Wales

Senedd Members (SMs) have started practice visits in Wales. They are discussing the proposed new contract before the Senedd votes on implementation legislation later in the year. Optometry Wales is organising the visits and will look for a range of practices representative of the sector for SMs to visit. Please let us know if you have been invited to participate or would like to host visits like these in the future.

In case you missed it

• The consultation on FODO's draft strategy is now live. Members should have received an email on 9 February with full details. If you have not, please alert us by emailing [email protected].
• Members have until 28 February to provide feedback on our proposed name change. Read more. Thank you to everybody who participated; we have enjoyed the feedback, especially the humour. Keep them coming.
  
• The GOC has two open consultations on updating gender on the register and the customer feedback survey. As these surveys are for individual registrants, FODO members are encouraged to feedback directly.  
• The College of Optometrists is consulting on an update to patient leaflets.
• A special Bank Holiday on 8 May will mark the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla.

Other sector news

• The College of Optometrists has appointed Dr Rebekah Stevens as its new lead assessor.
• Optometry Northern Ireland has updated its website.
• Researchers in the US say they might have discovered the cause of keratoconus. Read more.