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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
page 5
Follow us on Twitter @opticianonline NEWS IN BRIEF Leo shines a light on colour blindness A competition to raise awareness of colour blindness was won by a 10-year-old Leo Evans, who designed a light sculpture of Aston Villa footballer Tyrone Mings. The Shining a Light on Colour Blindness competition was launched by non-profit organisation Colour Blind Awareness and supported by the Aston Villa Foundation. Young football fans were asked to draw a colourful picture of their favourite footballer with the winning entry turned into a light sculpture and displayed at Aston University. Professor Anthony Hilton, pro-vicechancellor and executive dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, unveiled the sculpture with the competition winner. Professor Hilton said: ‘We are delighted for Leo. His winning drawing of Tyrone Mings looks fantastic as a light sculpture and we are proud to host it in our Vision Sciences building for our students, staff and visitors to enjoy, while raising awareness about colour blindness.’ Leo was met and congratulated by the head of the Aston Villa Foundation, Guy Rippon, and foundation manager, Ross Alexander. Commenting on his winning drawing, Leo said: ‘I am very proud that my picture won the competition and that Tyrone Mings liked it. I now better understand what being colour blind means and I hope my picture has helped someone else.’ Gillian Sibeth of Duncan and Todd lenses and other products, as well as develop training opportunities. Sibeth has 25 years of experience in the optical sector, most recently at a practice in Edinburgh where she was a dispensing optician specialising in artisan eyewear. ‘This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking group so I am looking forward to working with the Duncan and Todd team across Scotland and helping to drive sales growth,’ Sibeth said. New displays at ABDO College’s lens library The Association of British Dispensing Opticians College has updated its Optimum Rx Lens Specialists Library with new lens samples showcasing coatings and specialist tints. The new library was opened by Optimum Rx Lens’ Rayna Greenfield and ABDO College technician Mark Turner. Dr Robert Cubbidge, principal at ABDO College, said: ‘ABDO College values the support that Optimum have given us in supporting the education of the dispensing opticians of the future. They have provided lens samples and technical information about Rayna Greenfield and Mark Turner opticianonline.net their lenses so that our students can broaden their product knowledge and find the best lens solutions for their patients.’ CooperVision’s Plastic Bank achieves landmark CooperVision’s Plastic Bank initiative reached a milestone after preventing more than 100 million plastic bottles from polluting the oceans. Doug Bairner, country manager of UK and Ireland at CooperVision, commented: ‘We’re extremely proud of the contribution eye care professionals and contact lens wearers have made to this important initiative in the UK and Ireland. ‘It really goes to show that small actions can make a massive difference when we all work together with a common purpose. We’re excited to see what more we can achieve together over the years to come.’ Wayne Coleman Wayne Coleman The Optical Suppliers’ Association announced the death of optical instrument veteran, Wayne Coleman, aged 70. Coleman worked in the optical instrument business for almost 40 years, including for Birmingham Optical Group and Hanson Instruments. Former colleague Chris Tyler said: ‘Wayne had countless friends in optics and mentored many who went on to have impressive careers. He was a cheeky chappie who always had a smile on his face, and he will be sorely missed.’ Wayne leaves his wife Andrea and children, Ann-Marie, Kristen, Amy and Laura, along with six grandchildren. BCLA registration opens Early bird registration has opened for the British Contact Lens Association’s clinical conference and exhibition at Manchester Central on June 9-11. The event was designed to showcase world class clinically relevant research, while nurturing new researchers, clinicians and young academics to present at this level. Keynote speakers included Frank Schaeffel and Dr Gregory Sawyer, while the BCLA Medal Address will be presented by Professor Eric Papas, and Dr Sonia Trave-Huarte will deliver the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture. Luke Stevens-Burt, BCLA chief executive, said: ‘This meeting will deliver the latest innovation and clinical insight, with world class speakers on all areas of contact lenses and ocular surface health presenting lectures, holding live demonstrations and staging a number of practical hands-on workshops showcasing the latest techniques.’ 20 January 2023 OPTICIAN 5

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NEWS IN BRIEF

Leo shines a light on colour blindness

A competition to raise awareness of colour blindness was won by a 10-year-old Leo Evans, who designed a light sculpture of Aston Villa footballer Tyrone Mings.

The Shining a Light on Colour Blindness competition was launched by non-profit organisation Colour Blind Awareness and supported by the Aston Villa Foundation.

Young football fans were asked to draw a colourful picture of their favourite footballer with the winning entry turned into a light sculpture and displayed at Aston University.

Professor Anthony Hilton, pro-vicechancellor and executive dean of the College of Health and Life Sciences at Aston University, unveiled the sculpture with the competition winner.

Professor Hilton said: ‘We are delighted for Leo. His winning drawing of Tyrone Mings looks fantastic as a light sculpture and we are proud to host it in our Vision Sciences building for our students, staff and visitors to enjoy,

while raising awareness about colour blindness.’

Leo was met and congratulated by the head of the Aston Villa Foundation, Guy Rippon, and foundation manager, Ross Alexander.

Commenting on his winning drawing, Leo said: ‘I am very proud that my picture won the competition and that Tyrone Mings liked it. I now better understand what being colour blind means and I hope my picture has helped someone else.’

Gillian Sibeth of Duncan and Todd lenses and other products, as well as develop training opportunities.

Sibeth has 25 years of experience in the optical sector, most recently at a practice in Edinburgh where she was a dispensing optician specialising in artisan eyewear.

‘This is a fantastic opportunity to join a forward-thinking group so I am looking forward to working with the Duncan and Todd team across Scotland and helping to drive sales growth,’ Sibeth said.

New displays at ABDO College’s lens library The Association of British

Dispensing Opticians College has updated its Optimum Rx Lens Specialists Library with new lens samples showcasing coatings and specialist tints.

The new library was opened by Optimum Rx Lens’ Rayna Greenfield and ABDO College technician Mark Turner.

Dr Robert Cubbidge, principal at ABDO College, said: ‘ABDO College values the support that Optimum have given us in supporting the education of the dispensing opticians of the future. They have provided lens samples and technical information about

Rayna Greenfield and Mark Turner opticianonline.net their lenses so that our students can broaden their product knowledge and find the best lens solutions for their patients.’

CooperVision’s Plastic Bank achieves landmark CooperVision’s Plastic Bank initiative reached a milestone after preventing more than 100 million plastic bottles from polluting the oceans.

Doug Bairner, country manager of UK and Ireland at CooperVision, commented: ‘We’re extremely proud of the contribution eye care professionals and contact lens wearers have made to this important initiative in the UK and Ireland.

‘It really goes to show that small actions can make a massive difference when we all work together with a common purpose. We’re excited to see what more we can achieve together over the years to come.’

Wayne Coleman

Wayne Coleman The Optical Suppliers’ Association announced the death of optical instrument veteran, Wayne Coleman, aged 70.

Coleman worked in the optical instrument business for almost 40 years, including for Birmingham Optical Group and Hanson Instruments.

Former colleague Chris Tyler said: ‘Wayne had countless friends in optics and mentored many who went on to have impressive careers. He was a cheeky chappie who always had a smile on his face, and he will be sorely missed.’ Wayne leaves his wife Andrea and children, Ann-Marie, Kristen, Amy and Laura, along with six grandchildren.

BCLA registration opens Early bird registration has opened for the British Contact Lens Association’s clinical conference and exhibition at Manchester Central on June 9-11.

The event was designed to showcase world class clinically relevant research, while nurturing new researchers, clinicians and young academics to present at this level.

Keynote speakers included Frank Schaeffel and Dr Gregory Sawyer, while the BCLA Medal Address will be presented by Professor Eric Papas, and Dr Sonia Trave-Huarte will deliver the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture.

Luke Stevens-Burt, BCLA chief executive, said: ‘This meeting will deliver the latest innovation and clinical insight, with world class speakers on all areas of contact lenses and ocular surface health presenting lectures, holding live demonstrations and staging a number of practical hands-on workshops showcasing the latest techniques.’

20 January 2023 OPTICIAN 5

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