British Association of Retinal Screening - BARS

27/04/2026

The Hollywood star shares the unseen struggles of preparing for this year’s London Marathon as a type 1 diabetic

24/04/2026

🎉 Bookings are NOW LIVE! 🎉

We’re excited to launch our BARS OCT Workshop – Middlesbrough 2026 👁️✨

📅 Tuesday 8th September 2026
📍 David Kenward Lecture Theatre, STRIVE
Academic Centre, The James Cook University
Hospital, TS43BW

Join us for a full day of:
🔬 Practical, hands-on OCT training
🎓 Expert-led sessions
💬 Case discussions & networking
🤝 Meet leading industry partners

Whether you’re a screener, grader, or clinician – this is a fantastic opportunity to build your OCT skills in a supportive, interactive setting 🙌

🎟️ Spaces are limited – don’t miss out!
👉 https://eyescreening.org.uk/conference

Please share with your colleagues and teams 📣

👁️

21/04/2026

The government has updated its guidance on using mobile phones in schools in England and there’s an important reminder in there about pupils with medical conditions.

While the guidance supports limiting phone use during the school day, some pupils need access, as vital tech like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and hybrid closed loops (HCLs) are linked to phones.

The guidance also reinforces schools’ existing duties to:

• make reasonable adjustments for pupils to avoid discrimination
• put arrangements in place to support pupils with medical conditions

We’re also engaging with the government to make sure that the needs of pupils with diabetes aren’t overlooked. The bottom line is clear. Schools should continue supporting pupils with diabetes to use their phones for diabetes tech. Because ultimately, managing a medical condition safely should never be treated like breaking the rules.

Read more here 👉 https://orlo.uk/phones-in-school_6h57a

27/03/2026

✨ The new BARS Chronicle is out now! ✨

Volume 14 is packed with exciting updates, including:
👀 Meet our new Co-Chairs
🤖 A fairer way to test medical AI
📸 Why camera testing matters
📚 New OCT training courses coming soon

Plus, a big thank you to Charlotte for her fantastic leadership as Co-Chair and exciting news as she steps into her new role as Treasurer!

Don’t miss it! have a read and let us know what you think 💬

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b4fd8ade-719e-410f-83b8-ec341fae58d0/The%20BARS%20Chronicle%20-%20Vol%2014.pdf

20/03/2026

16/03/2026

05/03/2026

Learn more about the different types of diabetes, their causes, treatments, how to handle being newly diagnosed, and how we can support you at DRWF.

10/02/2026

Congratulations to Samantha Mann, President of the British Association of Retinal Screening, on the publication of her review paper “Updates in the English Diabetic Eye Screening Programme” (2026) 📄👁️

https://www.nature.com/articles/s44440-026-00014-y.pdf

The paper provides a clear overview of recent DESP developments, including extended screening intervals for low-risk groups ⏳, refinement of the R2 grading pathway 🔍, and the introduction of OCT surveillance for maculopathy 📊. A timely and practical contribution for those working across screening, surveillance and hospital eye services.

👏 A great piece of work and a real credit to the retinal screening community.

30/01/2026

📣 Upcoming Free Webinar – 24 March 2026

Join us for the next UKISOP webinar, Leadership Beyond the Clinic: The Role of AHPs in Ophthalmology, taking place on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 7 pm (GMT). This online session is free to attend and open to all allied health professionals working in ophthalmology.

This inspiring and practical webinar will explore how clinicians across ophthalmology are leading innovation, improving services and shaping multidisciplinary teams beyond the clinical setting. Whether you’re already considering leadership roles or just curious about what leadership could look like for you, this session offers valuable insights and practical takeaways to support your professional development.

🌟 Topics include:
• The unique strengths AHPs bring to clinical leadership
• Real-world examples of clinician-led service improvements
• Career pathways, opportunities and building confidence as a leader

👩‍⚕️ Speakers:
• Rebecca Turner, Ophthalmology Clinical Director (interim) & Consultant Nurse, Oxford Eye Hospital
• Lorraine North, Head of Ophthalmology Services & Strategy Lead, Frimley Park Hospital
• Joe McQuillan, Group Nursing Directorate, The Royal London Hospital

🔗 Register for free and secure your place at this inspiring online event. UKISCRS

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_MZByQXf8STWACzVS90IGQg #/registration

26/01/2026

BARS Statement: Update on 2026 Events

After careful consideration, BARS has decided to focus its time and resources on key priorities for 2026. A central part of this work is the delivery of BARS-led educational activities, including the OCT workshops scheduled for September 2026, which remain an important element of our commitment to high‑quality, practical education for professionals working in diabetic eye screening.

As a result, BARS will not be holding its usual annual conference in September 2026.

BARS has also explored potential collaboration with the Royal Society of Medicine, including participation in its Diabetic Eye Screening meeting planned for April 2026. Following this review, we have concluded that continuing to organise and deliver our own conferences is in the long‑term interests of BARS and its geographically diverse membership.

Looking ahead, BARS is planning to host a national conference in September 2027. We are committed to ensuring this event is of the highest quality and reflects the evolving needs of the screening community, with a strong focus on member value and engagement.

BARS remains fully committed to supporting professionals across diabetic eye screening and to providing education, collaboration, and opportunities that deliver meaningful benefits for our members.

Thank you for your continued support.

31/10/2025

🚨 It’s Here! The New BARS Website is LIVE! 🚨
We’re thrilled to announce that the British Association of Retinal Screening (BARS) website has officially launched!
Check it out now 👉 https://eyescreening.org.uk

🖥️ Explore our refreshed look and improved features, including:
✨ 2025 Conference presentations and poster competition winners
📸 Photo gallery from Birmingham 2025
🗳️ Conference feedback form (complete yours to receive your certificate)
👥 Members’ Hub with exclusive HSD resources
💼 Job vacancies – advertise your post with us!

If you were an active member in the past 12 months, check your inbox for an email to create your new password and access your account.
We can’t wait to welcome you back! 💜

📖 Read the latest issue of The BARS Chronicle Vol. 13 here:

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b4fd8ade-719e-410f-83b8-ec341fae58d0/The%20BARS%20Chronicle%20-%20Vol%2013.pdf.pdf

18/09/2025

📣✨ It’s almost here! ✨📣

The 23rd Annual BARS Conference takes place tomorrow 🎓
📅 Friday 19th September 2025
📍 Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre

We can’t wait to welcome delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from across the UK diabetic eye screening community for a fantastic day of learning, sharing, and networking 🙌

📖 You can view the full conference brochure here:
🔗https://www.eyescreening.org.uk/userFiles/File/CONFERENCE%202025/Conference%20Brochure%202025.pdf

See you in Birmingham! 🎉