EDITORIAL 020 7501 6745 Editor-in-chief Chris Bennett 020 7501 6660 chris.bennett@markallengroup.com Editor Simon Jones 020 7501 6667 simon.jones@markallengroup.com Deputy editor Mike Hale 020 7501 6670 mike.hale@markallengroup.com Clinical editor Bill Harvey 07766 508458 bill.harvey@markallengroup.com Content editor Andrew McClean 020 7501 6788 andrew.mcclean@markallengroup.com Online editor Lucy Patchett 020 7501 6663 lucy.patchett@markallengroup.com Production editor Gary O’Connell 020 7501 6706 gary.o’connell@markallengroup.com Art editor Sara Challinor 020 7501 6666 sara.challinor@markallengroup.com ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP Sales director Darren Ward 020 7501 6668 darren.ward@markallengroup.com Key account manager Joseph Lever 020 7501 6708 joseph.lever@markallengroup.com RECRUITMENT & CLASSIFIED Recruitment solutions manager Daniel Doherty 020 7501 6686 daniel.doherty@markallengroup.com Managing director Anthony Kerr 020 7501 6726 anthony.kerr@markallengroup.com Group production manager Kyri Apostolou 020 7501 6779 kyri.apostolou@markallengroup.com Production director Richard Hamshere Chief executive officer Ben Allen Chairman Mark Allen EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Will Ayliffe PhD FRCS FRCOphth DO; Sally Bates FBDO; Dr Frank Eperjesi PhD BSc MCOptom FAAO; Professor Bernard Gilmartin PhD FCOptom FAAO; Graham Hutchison MBA; Professor Mo Jalie SMSA FBDO FCGI MIMgt; Dr Lyndon Jones PhD FCOptom DCLP DOrth FAAO; Geoff Roberson BSc FCOptom; Dr Steve Taylor PhD MSc FCOptom; Graeme Young MPhil FCOptom DCLP FAAO SUBSCRIPTIONS 0800 137201 Subscribe or renew 01722 716997 subscriptions@markallengroup.com BACK ISSUES 01722 716997 REPRINTS 020 7501 6790 ISSN 0030.3968
Part of www.markallengroup.com
Optician is published every Friday © 2023 MA Healthcare Ltd St Judes Church, Dulwich Road, London SE24 0PB. Telephone 020 7738 5454 Website: www.opticianonline.net ISSN 0030.3968 Printed in Britain by Pensord Press, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, Gwent, NP12 2YA Please read our privacy policy at privacypolicy.markallengroup.com. This will explain how we process, use and safeguard your data
4 OPTICIAN 20 January 2023
facebook.com/opticianonline
7 DAYS
To read the full stories and keep up to date on the latest news and views visit opticianonline.net
Regulator knowledge hub A new knowledge hub to facilitate closer working within the optical sector to meet new requirements for independent and contact lens opticians has been set up by the Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (Spoke) on behalf of the General Optical Council.
The knowledge hub will look at a variety of projects, including the demand for indicative requirements to accompany the Outcomes for Approved Qualifications for the additional supply, supplementary prescribing, and independent prescribing categories, and contact lens optics. It will also undertake further projects in close consultation with the optical sector and academic community.
The hub will have a limited lifespan, beginning in January 2023 and closing in July 2025, when the GOC expects providers of currently approved and provisionally approved qualifications will have adapted to the new education and training requirements.
Opti reports visitor increase Some 15,500 visitors from 67 countries descended on Munich for the first Opti trade show in its regular January slot since before the Covid19 pandemic.
The figures represented a 19.2% increase on 2021 when the event was held in May. A total of 307 exhibitors from 28 countries attended the event, which had
Opti Munich special themes of myopia management and sustainability.
‘I would like to explicitly thank everyone who believed in Opti with us and made the success possible,’ said Klaus Plaschka, managing director of GHM, the event organisers. ‘Seeing the industry united again in such a great atmosphere was my highlight.’
Next year’s event has been scheduled for January 12 to 14.
FODO considers name change A consultation has started on a proposed name change by the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians (FODO).
The organisation said it had always been a federation of eye care providers but the proposed refresh aimed to modernise and strengthen its message.
It suggested renaming the organisation to the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (FODO) and maintaining its strapline, the Association for Eye Care Providers. Members of FODO were invited to submit their views on the proposals by February 28, via membership@fodo.com.
CBD eye drops developed Researchers from Aston University have developed cannabidiol (CBD) eye drops that could provide patients with relief from symptoms of dry eye.
The Max Bio+ technology made oil soluble in water and was described as a clear, tasteless, odourless product manufactured without alcohol, surfactants or heat.
Sunil Shah, co-founder of Max Bio+ and professor at Aston University, said: ‘This breakthrough in mixing oil and water is a genuine gamechanger. Just imag-
Sunil Shah co-founder of Max Bio+
ine how it can change the health industry by allowing the oral delivery of many drugs that currently have to be injected.’
Eye health slips as a priority A survey commissioned by Specsavers found patients were reassessing their health priorities in January because of the cost-ofliving crisis.
Research identified 73% of the 2,000 UK adults surveyed were concerned about finances more than usual in January and 34% were unsure if they could afford to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Specsavers found that 12% who wore vision correction said they would have to cut back on eye care and only 19% intended to spend money on eye care this year.
Additionally, 18% of spectacles wearers and 24% of contact lenses wearers said they would put off changing their eyewear or contact lenses even if their prescription changed.
Duncan and Todd targets product growth Duncan and Todd appointed Gillian Sibeth as product development manager to drive the group’s growth plans as well as support its retail and external manufacturing businesses.
In her new role, Sibeth will travel between practices in Scotland and manage the rollout of frames,
opticianonline.net
