04 August 2023

FODO member update - 4 August

This week:

• Get ready for National Eye Health Week (NEHW)
• NOC will take place 13-14 November
• LOCSU publishes more detail about reorganisation
• Get involved - research into convergence insufficiency
• Other sector news
• Policy news

Get ready for National Eye Health Week (NEHW)

As an official partner of NEHW, FODO is pleased to announce that this year's event will take place from 18-24 September. Over the seven days of national campaigns, the week will focus on: 

• NHS eye care and support - highlighting eligibility for NHS sight tests and optical vouchers, the importance of regular sight tests, plus a look at enhanced eye care services that high street opticians provide
• Myopia and me - focusing on increasing levels of myopia, why early diagnosis is important, and advances in myopia management and control
• Digital eye care - tips to prevent screen fatigue while at work, rest and play
• Eye on mental health - covering links between eye health and mental wellbeing
• Live well, see well - how lifestyle factors can influence eye health
• Vision matters photographic competition and exhibition - the arts' effectiveness in influencing the adoption of health-enhancing behaviours
• Smoking and sight loss - helping to reduce the risk of sight loss.

To sign up for the latest NEHW news, and for promotional resources, send your contact details to [email protected]. 

NOC will take place from 13-14 November

LOCSU has announced that NOC will run from 13-14 November at Wyboston Lakes Resort near St Neots in Bedfordshire. This year's event will focus on sharing, learning and developing across all LOCs. Learn more. 

LOCSU publishes more detail about reorganisation

LOCSU has published further details about how it plans to change its structure to increase efficiency, quality, and depth of support for LOCs.

The reorganisation includes LOCSU doing more at local and regional levels to help LOCs succeed through more support on business development and strategy. Read more. 

Get involved - research into convergence insufficiency

Hani Alrehaily, a PhD student in the Division of Ophthalmology and Orthoptics at the University of Sheffield, is conducting an online questionnaire to investigate the prevalence of primary convergence insufficiency treatment among opticians in the UK. Learn more and get involved. 

Other sector news

• Tony Garrett has officially retired from his role with ABDO College, which he helped to establish in 1999. Read more.

• Eye News carries a feature on the use of AI in ophthalmology. The article covers the initial applications of AI in eye care, including analysing retinal images to detect disease progression. It also shares views on five potential future uses that could transform how ophthalmology is delivered. Read more.

• Scientists harness nanotechnology to help tackle a common vision complaint. Read more.

• People with macular disease can join a free online conference to hear from experts in macular disease on 16 September from 9.15am to 4pm. Learn more about the Macular Society's annual conference 2023.

• Judi Dench was diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012 and has difficulty seeing on film sets. She told the LA Times it was "impossible" for her to read scripts. Read more.

• Fight for Sight shares its views on six ways data is advancing our understanding of eye diseases. It includes using data from twin cohorts in the UK, new special biobanks to improve understanding of glaucoma, and the charity co-funding the UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study. Read more.

Policy news

Use of CE extended. The Department for Business and Trade intends to extend the use of CE marking for businesses indefinitely. The extension applies to 18 regulations DBT owns. The government is expected to expand this policy across all products requiring a CE mark as part of its goal for 'smarter regulation'. It says it will 'cut business costs and time required to place products on the market and benefit consumers'. Read more.

Expanding use of independent sector. The BBC reports that the government and Labour agree with using independent sector capacity to help tackle NHS waiting lists in England. NHS Providers, the Patients Association and other organisations have welcomed the announcement in the context of long waits and a lack of capacity to meet need.