BCLA

12/02/2026

New Contact Lens Practice Guidance - Deliver Patient Care with Confidence & Clarity

The new BCLA CLEAR™ Contact Lens Practice Guidance is here to support eye care professionals at every stage of the patient journey. From the initial assessment and clinical examination to measurements and ongoing aftercare.

By using this guidance, you’ll gain:

✅ Comprehensive support – Step-by-step guidance for patient assessment, examination, and aftercare to ensure safe, effective, patient-centred care.

✅ Evidence-based recommendations – Developed as part of the BCLA CLEAR™ initiative, reflecting the latest research and best practice in fitting, monitoring, and managing complications.

✅ Practical tools for every professional – Ideal for students, new practitioners, and experienced clinicians alike, with checklists, clinical tips, and troubleshooting advice for real-world scenarios.

✅ Enhanced patient outcomes – Optimise lens selection, identify and address patient needs, and support long-term comfort, safety, and satisfaction.

Download the BCLA CLEAR™ Contact Lens Practice Guidance series today and take your contact lens care to the next level. You can also share this with colleagues and students to support more successful contact lens fits.

https://tinyurl.com/43yr7px2

06/02/2026

Great meet-up with BCLA Student Ambassadors, kindly hosted by Piyus Tanna at Menicon earlier this week.

Students received updates on the BCLA student offer and Menicon products, followed by an informative lab tour, seeing specialist contact lenses made to order, from production through to despatch.

The group shared some excellent promotion ideas and also received valuable presentation tips from BCLA CEO Brad Parkes.

05/02/2026

New resource available now on the BCLA website

The BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia video brings together the latest science, insights, and clinical guidance in one clear, engaging overview.

Drawing on the internationally recognised BCLA CLEAR™ consensus papers, this video explores how presbyopia is defined, evaluated, and managed today - and why that matters for everyday clinical practice.

Inside the video:

• Global trends in prevalence, unmet near vision needs, and key risk factors

• A practical, step-by-step approach to presbyopia assessment and diagnosis

• Modern spectacle and contact lens strategies, including multifocals, monovision, and EDOF technologies

• Clinical considerations such as contrast sensitivity and ocular dominance

Whether you want to strengthen patient conversations, refine your prescribing decisions, or deepen your understanding of presbyopia, this video delivers clarity you can apply with confidence.

Access here: https://tinyurl.com/murw5h89

19/01/2026

🗓️ SAVE THE DATE: 19 - 20 June 2027 🗓️

We’re thrilled to announce that the BCLA Clinical Conference & Exhibition returns to ICC Birmingham on Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 June 2027, celebrating 50 years of leadership, innovation and global collaboration in contact lenses and the anterior eye.

What to expect:
🔹 High-quality education and hands-on clinical learning
🔹 World-leading experts and cutting-edge research
🔹 Interactive workshops, peer review and case discussions
🔹 Exhibition featuring the latest technologies and clinical solutions
🔹 Patient-focused clinical training
🔹 Research posters and scientific presentations

🎊 BCLA Celebrates – a fantastic awards evening recognising professional excellence and welcoming new Fellows

🏆 BCLA Medals and Research Awards within the main scientific programme

Beyond the education, this landmark event is your chance to connect with peers, engage with exhibitors, celebrate the profession and reflect on five decades of BCLA’s journey.

More details on programme themes, speakers and registration will be coming soon - but for now, mark your calendar and plan to join us for this unforgettable anniversary celebration!

https://tinyurl.com/2uh9h9jw

16/01/2026

Now Available in Arabic - BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia Summary Report

We’re pleased to share that a new Arabic translation of the BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia Summary Report is now ready to download.

To help make the insights from BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia accessible to as many eye care professionals as possible, the official Summary Report has been translated into multiple languages. This supports wider global reach and helps ensure understanding and implementation of the latest evidence-based research - no matter where you practise.

The report along with other resources is available to full members of the BCLA. Non-members can also now access this key resource in Arabic and stay informed on the latest guidance in presbyopia management. You will need to create an account to access - Full details are on the site.

👉 Access the Arabic summary report today - https://tinyurl.com/2su542hu

14/01/2026

Kick off 2026 with a look at what’s next for the BCLA

In our first episode of the year, Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala sit down with Brad Parkes, CEO of the BCLA, to discuss the association’s long-term vision and what lies ahead for members.

From upcoming membership changes to making the most of the BCLA’s extensive resource library, Brad shares valuable insights for eye care professionals looking to elevate their practice in the year ahead.

🎧 A must-listen to start 2026 strong!

Tune in here: https://tinyurl.com/57967pye

06/01/2026

A message from our President - Byki Huntjens

Wishing you a joyful and inspiring start to 2026!

This year, let’s celebrate the curiosity that drives clinical change, the collaborations that power research, and the education that transforms clinical practice. As I shared in my presidential address, Eyes on the Journey, the future of our profession depends not only on technology, but on the people who ask bold questions and lift each other along the way.

We have some exciting announcements coming your way as we start to plan for our 50th Anniversary Celebrations in 2027!

Whether you’re a student, researcher, practitioner, or industry partner, your voice matters. Let’s make 2026 a year of shared learning, brave thinking, and meaningful progress.

19/12/2025

As we wind down for the year, we’d love to take a moment to look back on what has been an amazing year for the BCLA.

To our members, partners, speakers, sponsors, and supporters - thank you for being part of our journey and for your continued commitment to advancing contact lens and anterior eye practice.

This year, we were proud to host our flagship clinical conference, bringing our community together to learn, share, and innovate. We were also delighted to welcome Brad Parkes as our new CEO, marking an exciting new chapter for the Association.

With so much momentum behind us, we’re looking ahead to an exciting year ahead and can’t wait to share what’s next. Thank you for being part of the BCLA community, we look forward to continuing the journey together.

Here’s to reflecting on an incredible year and gearing up for an even brighter one ahead.

18/12/2025

Could you play a key role in a global membership organisation and help drive impact in eye care?

The BCLA is seeking a strategic and inspiring individual to join us as Chair, leading an ambitious and exciting work programme from 2026 and beyond.

This voluntary role is ideal for someone who values specialist education, leadership, and innovation in eye health, and is looking for a diverse and rewarding challenge. As Chair, you’ll work alongside some of the most influential and inspirational professionals in eye care.

We especially welcome applications from optometrists or contact lens opticians working in strategy-focused roles within industry or commercial partner organisations.

📅 Application deadline: 31 January 2026

👉 Find out more and apply here: https://tinyurl.com/375b4jr8

🙏 Thank you, David Webley

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to our current Chair, Dave Webley, for his exceptional leadership over the past three years. His dedication, guidance, and commitment have been instrumental in driving the BCLA forward.

If you- or someone in your network would like to help lead the BCLA into its next chapter, we encourage you to apply or share this opportunity.

Are you passionate about contact lenses and the anterior eye? How would you like to play a key role in a global membership organisation and help to make an impact within eye care?The BCLA has a new opportunity for a strategic individual to lead the council in delivering an ambitious and exciting wor...

08/12/2025

There is still time for register for our webinar taking place this week Wednesday:

BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia – Integrating Evidence-Based Insights into Clinical Practice

- Wednesday, 10 December

- 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (GMT)

- 1 CPD Point

- Online via Zoom

- Open to ALL

Speakers: James Wolffsohn, Philip Morgan, Shehzad Naroo & Melissa Barnett, OD, FAAO, FSLS, FBCLA, ACC

Presbyopia is one of the most common and complex challenges in modern eye care. This webinar will give you the latest evidence-based strategies to elevate diagnosis, management, and patient communication.

✨ What you’ll learn:

• Accurate assessment and evaluation techniques to optimise visual outcomes

• Evidence-based fitting and management strategies using modern lens designs

• Innovations addressing the biomechanics of the aging eye

Discover how to apply findings from the BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia report directly to your clinical practice. Gain practical insights into fitting and aftercare across spectacle and contact lens options, including soft simultaneous, rigid translating, and monovision designs. You’ll also explore emerging solutions such as advanced scleral lenses, pharmacological options, and surgical approaches aimed at restoring natural visual function.

Whether you're refining your expertise or expanding your presbyopia toolkit, this session will help you deliver more personalised, evidence-based care to every patient.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/rhpaa65z

01/12/2025

Fellowship deadline this week - Friday 5 December 2025

It's the last call to get your applications in for BCLA Fellowship. Join a prestigious global network of over 250 leading eye care professionals by becoming a BCLA Fellow (FBCLA). A mark of excellence in contact lenses and anterior eye care.

Being awarded Fellowship status recognises your expertise, innovation, and dedication to advancing vision care. Successful applicants will be formally awarded their Fellowship at BCLA Asia in Japan on 29 May 2026.

🗓️ Submission Deadline: Friday 5 December 2025

Find out more here: https://tinyurl.com/2jycvpp9

27/11/2025

Join Dr.Melissa Barnett and Dr.Cristina Schnider as they dive into BCLA CLEAR™ Presbyopia Management with Intraocular Lenses.

They discuss the evolving role of optometrists in supporting patients through the cataract and presbyopia journey, the importance of early conversations about IOL options, and exciting advances in presbyopia-correcting lens technologies. Together, they focus on how collaboration, communication, and innovation can enhance outcomes and strengthen the connection between optometrists, surgeons, and patients.

Tune in here: https://tinyurl.com/vn32bmd6