ABDO

12/02/2026

Our first regional CPD day event of 2026 is now open for bookings.

The event takes place on Sunday 22 March at the Village Hotel Cardiff.

There will be 14 interactive CPD points available including a peer review.

Please note all CPD provided at this event is suitable for dispensing opticians and optometrists.

ABDO members can book their place here https://buff.ly/nrf5qB5

12/02/2026

ABDO is encouraging the profession to ‘build your workforce: train a dispensing optician through apprenticeships‘ this National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February).

ABDO is encouraging the profession to ‘build your workforce: train a dispensing optician through apprenticeships‘ this National Apprenticeship Week (9-15 February). Developed in partnership with employers and approved by the General Optical Council in July 2024, the ABDO DO (dispensing optician)...

11/02/2026

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) is holding a global networking event at 100% Optical, with the aim of creating more opportunities for women across the optical industry and profession to “connect, inspire and lead”.

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) is holding a global networking event at 100% Optical, with the aim of creating more opportunities for women across the optical industry and profession to “connect, inspire and lead”. Titled ‘Owning your path: leadership and resilience’, the event will ...

11/02/2026

Specsavers is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) by celebrating the achievements of its apprenticeship programmes.

Specsavers is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) by celebrating the achievements of its apprenticeship programmes. Each year, around 600 new apprentices join Specsavers across a wide range of roles, with approximately 350 achieving a Level 3 (or equivalent) qualification annua...

11/02/2026

100% Optical organiser, CloserStill, has revealed the shortlist for the 2026 Love Eyewear Awards.

Designed to champion and promote independent and major eyewear designers, manufacturers and retailers, the annual awards cover 13 categories including New Designer, Sustainable Frame of the Year, Kid’s Frame of the Year, Eyewear Accessory of the Year, and Best Use of Social Media.

100% Optical organiser, CloserStill, has revealed the shortlist for the 2026 Love Eyewear Awards. Designed to champion and promote independent and major eyewear designers, manufacturers and retailers, the annual awards cover 13 categories including New Designer, Sustainable Frame of the Year, Kid’...

10/02/2026

It’s National Apprenticeship Week!

There’s never been a better time to grow your workforce from within.
The dispensing optician apprenticeship gives practices a cost‑effective way to develop skilled, confident professionals.

Why it works for employers:
• Significant cost savings – including up to 95–100% government funding
• Apprentices earn while they learn
• Same professional standards as the FBDO diploma
• Builds a pipeline of qualified talent

Learn more:

An apprenticeship is a job where formal training is provided as part of the employment contract. This enables the trainee to develop and demonstrate the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to perform effectively in their chosen occupation – defined in the apprenticeship standard.

10/02/2026

The American Super Bowl LX, screened on Sunday 8 February, marked Oakley’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial

The American Super Bowl LX, screened on Sunday 8 February, marked Oakley’s first-ever Super Bowl commercial – placing the brand back on national television during one of the most visible global sports fixtures 34 years after its first broadcast ad, Max Fearlight, in 1992. The advertisement for t...

10/02/2026

ABDO is delighted to be attending the Asda Conference today, and it’s been a superb event so far.

We were pleased to meet Stephanie Rex, who stopped by to say hello and order a new ABDO badge. Stephanie expressed how proud she is to display her membership and qualification - something we always love to hear.

We’ve had many valuable conversations about our annual plan and the exciting initiatives we have coming up, including the upcoming 100‑year celebrations.

Hopefully we’ll get to see many of you again on our practice tours!
We also spoke with an optometrist supervising a first‑year student, who shared extremely positive feedback about the student
experience and the high level of support provided by ABDO - both for learners and for those in a supervisory role.

A great day so far. Looking forward to the rest of the day meeting with the Asda teams.

10/02/2026

ABDO has welcomed Chris McConnell as its new regional lead for Northern Ireland.

A dispensing optician based in Belfast, Chris has more than a decade of experience in both independent and multiple practice, as well as hands-on experience as a glazing lab technician. https://buff.ly/C48yfGR

09/02/2026

President Kevin Gutsell kicked off our centenary celebrations with a visit to D & R Kirk Opticians in Reading last week. The practice is owned by David and Ros, working with dispensing optician Tracey Spence.

Kevin said: “Both David and Ros have spent years representing and promoting our profession at home and abroad, with Ros a past president of ABDO and David a past president of the International Opticians Association, as well as many other career highlights. The epitome of giving back so much more to the profession than they have gained.”

ABDO leaders, including vice president Brenda Rennie and chief executive Alistair Bridge, have challenged themselves to visit 100 practices this year, getting to know members and finding out what makes each business special.

If you would like a visit fill in the form on the get involved page https://buff.ly/vSEyChD

09/02/2026

Desislava Pirkova has been a dispensing optician for 4 years

This is why she loves about being a dispensing optician:

“The best thing about being a dispensing optician is knowing that we live at the point where science becomes real life. We understand the theory, the optics, the measurements, and the research, and we can prove what works with science, but more importantly, we know how to turn all of that into practical solutions that patients actually need. A prescription on paper is only the beginning. What truly matters is how that prescription fits into someone’s daily life, their job, their hobbies, their comfort and their confidence. That’s where we shine.

"As dispensing opticians, we are a bit of everything: scientists, problem-solvers, educators, and hands-on practitioners. We study the options, explain the evidence, and then we say, “Try this, let me show you how it can help.” We bridge the gap between what should work and what does work. That’s what makes the DO qualification so valuable. It’s not just about knowing lenses and frames; it’s about understanding people. We don’t just dispense eyewear, we translate science into vision that works in the real world, and that ability is what truly defines our profession.”

If you would like to take part in the 100-year celebrations, find out more here https://buff.ly/so04Bi3

07/02/2026

This month's member benefits spotlight is the ABDO Benevolent Fund

The ABDO Benevolent Fund exists to support members, past or present, facing financial hardship – and extends to their dependents.

Find out more https://buff.ly/1aR25HS

Help during difficult times