Optometry Today

26/10/2025

Did you know more than 4000 patients received blood pressure checks in optometry practices in the first 8 months of a hypertension pilot?

Julia Maiden, optometrist and chair of Ashton, Leigh and Wigan LOC explains more about the pilot 👇

Julia also shared more details about the pilot in our cover story → https://ow.ly/SKia50Xhavx

24/10/2025

We've launched our new student and pre-reg survey, and we want to hear from you.

The survey will help us understand what you think about OT as a multimedia platform, delivering in print and online.

To take the survey you'll need to check your emails. We sent eligible student and pre-reg AOP members a unique link earlier this afternoon.

To show our appreciation for your time we're giving you the opportunity to enter our prize draw once you complete the survey. You'll have the chance of winning either a student kit bag, worth over £150, and two runners-up prizes of £50 Amazon voucher each.

The survey closes 16 November 2025 at 23:59.⁠ Prize draw terms and conditions apply, read here: https://ow.ly/5zup50Xh6Kp

22/10/2025

Have you discovered our latest Skills guides?

Optometrist and clinical editor for OT, Ceri Smith-Jaynes, introduces you to our four new Skills guide videos, delivered by education lead at the Association of Optometrists, Dr Byki Huntjens, and optical engagement manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, Lorcan Butler.

Watch more here: https://ow.ly/mY2F50XgniI

20/10/2025

Happy Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas to everyone who will be celebrating today and tomorrow 🪔

Optometrist and Association of Optometrists Councillor, Kamal Kalsi, talked to us about his memories of celebrating with his family and also how he celebrates in the UK today.

Revisit our article featuring Kamal, and more from other optometrists, 👉 https://ow.ly/x8ay50XeVY8

18/10/2025

On we want to share and highlight our recent feature focusing on menopause in the workplace.

Kim Whittet, practice buddy at Hakim Group, Lou Furby senior events and communications manager at Specsavers and co-founder of MenoTalk and Dr Valerie Jerome at Valerie Jerome optometrists talked to us about how menopause affects women working in optics.

Want to read more from Kim, Lou and Valerie? Read and share with your colleagues here: ow.ly/9PRC50XeuaE

17/10/2025

Optometrist and partner at Specsavers Cornwall, Sam Thomas, reflects on her career journey with Specsavers – a path that has seen her progress from optical assistant through to partner.

Find out more here ➡️ https://ow.ly/XcmK50Xb0UT

Life at Specsavers

15/10/2025

"Initially, locuming was more of a research project, to see what different practices were like, and how they operated. I’ve been lucky that, over the course of the two years, lots of different opportunities have been thrown at me, and I’ve been in a position to take them," says locum optometrist, Aaminah Khan.

She shares with us why she decided to locum, who inspired and helped her along the way, and her biggest challenges at the moment, plus a few tips for new locums.

Read more from Aaminah here: https://ow.ly/XRSp50XbMLE

14/10/2025

13/10/2025

What is the importance of prevention in healthcare?

At the Labour party conference we asked this question to key people working across healthcare, optics, charitable organisations and MPs.

If you'd like to read more about this topic, delve into our latest Prevention and policy edition of OT here: https://ow.ly/xwNC50XaqJ4

Association of Optometrists, RNIB, Specsavers, Glaucoma UK, Guide Dogs UK

11/10/2025

How can practice teams work better together to adapt and flourish?

From navigating complaints in practice to lessons in leadership, there's something for everyone in our new Practice team guide.

In partnership with Johnson & Johnson - Vision and the Association of Optometrists, we spoke to a range of optical professionals and industry experts to find out more.

Read the guide online here: https://ow.ly/qNjR50Xa1WJ

09/10/2025

Have you picked up your copy of the Prevention and Policy edition?

In our edition, we spoke to optometrists delivering eye care services at the heart of NHS transformation - from urgent eye care in Cornwall to a digital window into secondary care in Gloucestershire. Read the cover story here: https://ow.ly/Mpwr50X6V3k

Special thanks to everyone we spoke to for our cover story and throughout the edition, including Ankur Trivedi, Josephine Evans, Julia Maiden, and Primary Eyecare Services, Linklater & Warren Opticians and Hearing Care, Thompsons Opticians and Hakim Group.

08/10/2025

This week many Jewish people will mark Sukkot.

Optometrist, Ariella Mirvis, describes it as a "a really nice bonding moment for everyone to come together."

We spoke with optometrists and dispensing opticians about what Sukkot means to them. Read more about their experiences here: https://ow.ly/WiC650X8Czj