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DISPENSINGOPTICS

MAY 2016

NEWS, INFORMATION andEDUC ATION for OPTICIANS

3Dispensing Optics MAY 2016

FRONT COVER

2016 Optician Award Frame of the Year, Cocoa Mint CMS 2000 C1

Contents

Dispensing Optics MAY 2016

16. 8.

30.

19.

26. AnalysisOpticians of the future in sight

30. Optrafair• CET and more at the NEC by Antonia Chitty

• Gizmos and gadgets galore by Peter Black

• Technology in fashion by Nicky Collinson

Regulars

5. DO Dispatches

6. The Anderson Files by ABDO president, Fiona Anderson

15. Area News

15. FAQsby Kim Devlin

37. JottingsLike father, like son by Colin Lee

38. Jobs & Notices

Features

16. Product spotlightLet the sun shine

18. Continuing Education & TrainingThe learning disabled patient in practice by Andrew Millington

22. Multiple Choice AnswersMaking the practice disability-friendly by Kim Devlin

23. Contact lensesTrainee CLO supervision changes by Rosemary Bailey

24. In PracticeKeeping the team on track by Antonia Chitty

36.

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DISPENSING OPTICSThe Professional Journal of the Associationof British Dispensing Opticians

VOLUME 31 NO 5

EDITORIAL STAFF

Editor Sir Anthony Garrett CBE HonFBDO

Assistant Editor Jane BurnandManaging Editor Nicky Collinson BA (Hons)

Email [email protected] and Production Rosslyn Argent BA (Hons)

Email [email protected]. Manager Deanne Gray HonFBDO

Email [email protected]

EDITORIAL/ADVERTISING

Telephone 0781 2734717Email [email protected] www.abdo.org.uk

SUBSCRIPTIONS

UK £140Overseas £150, including postageApply to Tom VetiAssociation of British Dispensing OpticiansGodmersham Park, Godmersham, Kent CT4 7DT

Telephone 01227 733922Email [email protected] www.abdo.org.uk

ABDO CET

Head of CET Paula Stevens MA ODE BSc(Hons)

MCOptom FBDO CL (Hons)AD SMC(Tech)

ABDO CET, 5 Kingsford Business Centre, Layer Road,Kingsford, Colchester CO2 0HT

Telephone 01206 734155Email [email protected]

CONTINUING EDUCATION REVIEW PANEL

Joanne Abbott BSc(Hons) FBDO SMC(Tech)

Keith Cavaye FBDO(Hons)CL FBCLA

Andrew Cripps FBDO(Hons) PG Cert HE FHEA

Kim Devlin FBDO(Hons)CL

Stephen Freeman BSc(Hons) MCOptom FBDO(Hons) FHEA Cert Ed

Abilene Macdonald Grute BSc(Hons) MCOptom BSc(Hons) FBDO(Hons)

SLD(Hons)LVA Dip Dist Ed Cert Ed

Richard Harsant FBDO(Hons)CL(Hons)LVA

Andrew Keirl BOptom(Hons) MCOptom FBDO

Angela McNamee BSc(Hons) MCOptom FBDO(Hons)CL FBCLA Cert Ed

Linda Rapley BSc(Hons) FCOptom PGDip PGCE

Andrew Stokes FBDO SMC(Tech)

JOURNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Richard Crook FBDO

Kim Devlin FBDO(Hons)CL

Kevin Gutsell FBDO(Hons) SLD

Ros Kirk FBDO

Angela McNamee BSc(Hons) MCOptom FBDO(Hons)CL FBCLA Cert Ed

DISPENSING OPTICS IS PUBLISHED BYABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LDDISPENSING OPTICS IS PRINTED BYP&P Litho Ltd, Hanworth, Middlesex TW13 6AR

© ABDO: No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means

whatever without the written prior permission of the publishers

Dispensing Optics welcomes contributions for possibleeditorial publication. However, contributors warrant to thepublishers that they own all rights to illustrations, artwork orphotographs submitted and also to copy which is factuallyaccurate and does not infringe any other party’s rights

ISSN 0954 3201

AVERAGE CIRCULATION: 9,063 Jan-Dec 2015ABDO Board certification

DEDICATION TO THE PROFESSION

At the ABDO gala dinner, held for the first

time to coincide with Optrafair, Peter

Black handed over the presidency of the

Association to Fiona Anderson. Peter has

served three years as president with unstinting

commitment, drive and enthusiasm. He has devoted a

great deal of time to pursuing the best interests of the

Association and the members. At times controversial, but

always sincere, Peter has helped raise the profile and status

of both the Association and the profession.

ABDO presidents give freely of their time and do a great deal

of work, often unseen and rarely understood by the wider

membership. I am in the very fortunate position of having

seen at close hand the dedicated work done by a number of

presidents over the years. It has been both a great pleasure

and privilege to have been able to work alongside Peter, and I

know that the whole Association has a very great deal to

thank him for.

Fiona has taken over at a time of change, progress and growth.

She brings a wealth of experience to the role and I am sure

everyone will wish her well for her term of office. The ABDO

team and I look forward to supporting her and working with

her and the new vice president, Clive Marchant, over the next

two years.

It was good to see many members at Optrafair and to record

the success of the ABDO CET Theatre. We will continue to

look at how we can continue to enhance our CET offering to

members at these events. Also at Optrafair this year we

launched our new ABDO Insight programme in collaboration

with ITN Productions. This sector-leading initiative is a major

drive to engage the public in the work of the profession and I

commend the latest programme to you. You can view the new

ABDO Insight 2016 trailer programme on the ABDO website.

Sir Anthony GarrettABDO general secretary

DO Dispatches

6

FIONA ANDERSON Our monthly column from the ABDO president

THEA FILES

Ican hardly believe the day has comefor me to write my first column asABDO president. Becoming president,for me, is utterly amazing. Little didI think many years ago, as I embarked

on my Diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing,that I would ever be the president of myprofessional Association. It just goes toshow – if I can, you can too.

Optics has seen many changes since Iqualified in 1986. In fact, it has changedbeyond all recognition – from Brass Platepractices whose practitioners wore whitecoats and were not allowed to advertise, tomassive four storey practices with cuttingedge technology inside and outside theconsulting room and slick TV ad campaigns.

But, enough of the past, I look forward towhat the next two years will bring. I have nocrystal ball and I am sure it will not all be plainsailing – but whatever is thrown at us as anAssociation, you have my assurance that wewill meet it head on. As ABDO president, I willfight our corner at every opportunity andface whatever challenges come our way.

Whilst reviewing our objectives at arecent ABDO board meeting, we agreedthat we must continue to raise the profileof dispensing opticians, contact lensopticians and low vision opticians both tothe public and the profession alike.

We must enhance our profession bycollaborative working within the industry,and engage with local optical committeesand NHS commissioners, to involve ourselvesin the provision of enhanced services suchas minor eye condition services (MECS). Wemust continue to shout from the rooftopshow good we are in delivering our specialtiessuch as paediatric dispensing and low vision –and all the regulated dispensing that we do.

As an Association, we are moving into anew era; we are changing our regional structureto align ourselves with the new NHS areasso we are best placed to engage with thosewe need to, and to ensure that we will havea seat at the table and will not be left behind.

I think we also need to address thechanging demographics we have seen

highlighted in the recent Optical WorkforceStudy and from our own internal membershipstatistics. More and more of our members areapproaching or are already in their 50s – abit like myself – and a lot of our youngermembers are female and working part-time,so we need to make sure all our membersare supported to play their part and reachtheir full career potential.

My encouragement to you all is to getinvolved in whatever way you can. If youhaven’t attended a CET event recently, goalong to one locally and chat with like-mindedprofessionals and gain some CET at the

same time. Go to a national conferencesuch as Optrafair, the National OpticalConference or 100% Optical as greatnetworking opportunities abound at theseevents. By being involved, we can share ourexperience and our talents with others andmake the Association stronger for thefuture. And please do come along to theABDO Consultation Day on 10 May inLondon to hear more about our strategicobjectives, and to share your views with theABDO board and other members.

I look forward to seeing you at an eventvery soon.


SEASONAL SHARESHave you seen EyecareFAQ’s seasonal images for you to share? So far, we’vecovered Valentine’s Day, St Patrick’s Day and Easter. These images are postedto ABDO’s social media channels for you to share with your patients andcustomers. Let us know if there are other dates that you’d like us to highlight.

April saw a focus on cataract, with postcard sized images and explanations of allthe jargon that’s used. There is also aninfographic, which you will find on theEyecareFAQ section on the ABDO website.

In May, there will also be a focus onthe jargon used when talking aboutparts of the eye, demystifying complexwords, as well as information aboutAMD. We revisit summer sun protection,and highlight constructive ways forconsumers to complain.

Remember to visit the archivecontaining questions and answers to manyother topics in the public part of the ABDO website, www.abdo.org.uk/information-for-the-public/eyecarefaq/. As an ABDO member, all these are available to you foruse on your own practice site and social media channels. Simply copy and pasterelevant info and images, and share with your patients.

Eyecare FAQ is at:• www.facebook.com/eyecarefaq • www.twitter.com/eyecarefaq • plus.google.com/+eyecarefaq• www.pinterest.com/eyecarefaq• instagram.com/eyecarefaq/Have you followed ABDO on social media yet? You can find ABDO on Facebook,

Linked In, Pinterest and Twitter @MembershipAbdo, and with more general news fromthe world of eyes at @ABDONews. Remember to share photos from events with us.

The Anderson Files

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8 Dispensing Optics MAY 2016

OC BRIEFING ON NEW DISABILITY LAWThe Optical Confederation (OC) hasissued a briefing to update practitionerson the new Accessible InformationStandard, which becomes a legalrequirement for all providers of NHS andadult social care services in England,including GOS contractors, on 31 July.

Available to download from the OC andABDO websites, the briefing is a follow-upto an OC guide published in September2015 on how to get started with thestandard. It explains what stepspractitioners need to take next, what theOC is doing and to let practitioners knowwhat support it intends to provide.

Over the next few months, the OC willprovide further detailed information tohelp practitioners meet theirresponsibilities to patients withcommunication needs. These includeasking if a new or returning patient hasany information or communication

support needs relating to a disability,sensory loss or other impairment, such as astroke; and recording clearly andconsistently those needs in the patient’srecords.

The new standard will also requirepractitioners to include details about apatient’s information and communicationneeds at referral, discharge and handover,following existing data sharing processes;and to make reasonable adjustments toensure that people receive information in aformat they can understand.

ABDO members who have any queriesabout the new standard can contact BarryDuncan, head of policy and development,by emailing [email protected]

Andrew receiving his award

Fiona with Clive (left) and Peter

HANDOVER OF THE PRESIDENCYThe annual ABDO gala dinner and awardsceremony, held in the Hilton MetropoleBirmingham on Sunday 10 April, saw FionaAnderson take up the mantle of Associationpresident for the next two years.

Receiving the medal of office fromoutgoing president, Peter Black, in front offriends, colleagues and guests – includingher parents who had travelled down fromScotland for the occasion – Fiona said shewas honoured to become ABDO presidentand that she was looking forward tocontinuing the great work of herpredecessor. Fiona also welcomed CliveMarchant as the new ABDO vice president.

Turn to page 30 to read our round-upof ABDO’s activities at Optrafair.

CLO JOINS ICThe General Optical Council (GOC) hasappointed Sarah Baylay, a practisingcontact lens optician, to its InvestigationCommittee (IC).

Sarah has more than 16 years’ experiencein the optical sector, and in 2004 graduatedwith a degree in Optical Management. Shehas managed six different practices, and hastrained and mentored a number of opticalconsultants, trainee dispensing opticiansand new managers.

Gareth Hadley, GOC chair, said: “Sarahbrings a tremendous amount of experienceto the role, having worked at all levels ofoptics, and I am confident the committeewill benefit greatly from her insight.”

REWARDING JOURNEY CELEBRATED Andrew Oliver of Tompkins, Knight and Son Optometrists, Northampton, was namedDispensing Optician of the Year at the Optician Awards last month.

Held on Saturday 9 April in the new Vox Conference Centre in Birmingham over theOptrafair weekend, the awards have been celebrating achievement within the professionfor more than 20 years.

Commenting on his award, Andrew told Dispensing Optics: “I am hugely honoured toachieve Dispensing Optician of the Year. The long journey of learning and working fromspectacle maker to dispensing optician has been hard and interesting along the way.

“I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of my optical career – family andfriends, colleagues and peers and my current employers, Brian and Nicky Tompkins. Beingback in practice with the award and being able to share this moment with colleagues andmy patients mean a lot to me. I hope this achievement will inspire future dispensingopticians to give the best eyecare and be part of their local community,” Andrew added.

The other finalists in this category were James Dawson, Shafik Haji, Sophie Johnson,Aziz Mohammed and Luke Smith. To see all the winners, visit www.opticianawards.com

NEWS

Is your practice adhering to newaccessibility regulations?

FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ABDOEVENT DETAILS keep an eye out for theeNews landing in your in box, and theevents section of the website, visitwww.abdo.org.uk/events

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NEWS

INDUSTRY STALWARTRETIRESNeal Grimason has retired from his roleas sales and marketing director atContinental Eyewear due to health issues.

“A stalwart of the UK optical industry,Neal has been an incredible ambassador tothe Continental Eyewear family for over 30years and we, together with all his customersand friends in the UK and around the world,send him our good wishes and all the bestin his retirement,” said Derek Cox, chairmanand managing director.

A special presentation was made toNeal at Optrafair last month by theFederation of Manufacturing Opticians(FMO) in recognition of his contributionsto the profession and industry. Making thepresentation on behalf of the FMO, AndyYorke of Topcon told Neal that he wouldbe greatly missed and wished him a veryhappy retirement.

Neal Grimason

OUTDOOR PLAY KEY TOMYOPIA CONTROLIncreasing exposure to outdoor light isthe key to reducing the myopia epidemicin children, according to research byAustralian optometrists.

Optometrist and lead researcher on theproject, associate professor Scott Read,who is the director of research at QueenslandUniversity of Technology’s School ofOptometry and Vision Science, said childrenneed to spend more than an hour andpreferably at least two hours a day outsideto help prevent myopia from developingand progressing.

Speaking at the Australian VisionConvention in Queensland on the weekend,Professor Read said it was not ‘near work’on computer and other screens causingmyopia, but a lack of adequate outdoor light.

“While screens are contributing tochildren spending more time indoors thanin previous years, the research shows theyare not the direct cause of the increasedincidence of myopia,” he said.

“Optometrists need to make theirpatients aware that less than 60 minutes’exposure to light outdoors per day is a riskfactor for myopia. It looks like even forthose with myopia already, increasing timeoutside is likely to reduce progression.”

The QUT study measured children’seye growth via study participants wearingwristwatch light sensors to record light

exposure and physical activity for a fortnightduring warmer then colder months to givean overall measurement of their typicallight exposure.

“Children exposed to the least outdoorlight had faster eye growth and hence fastermyopia progression,” Professor Read said.

The study, Light Exposure and Eye Growthin Childhood, is published in Investigative

Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

TAG TEAMIconic brand Tag Heuer has selectedShamir as premium prescription lensesmanufacturer for its patented Panoramaeyewear series.

Shamir is offering a complete range ofprescription lenses, either for outdoor orindoor activities, especially designed forPanorama. Having passed Panorama’sapproval tests, Shamir can nowmanufacture prescription lenses and sunlenses for the entire TAG Heuer Eyewearcollection according to TAG Heuer Eyewearquality standards.

FEEL THE FORCECustom contact lens manufacturermark’ennovy has announced aninvestment in its growing UK sales forceby appointing new business developmentmanagers for Scotland, the Midlands, theNorth, Yorkshire and East Anglia.

Chris Carter, group marketing and salesdirector, said: “It is a sign of the growingpresence and credibility of mark’ennovythat such high quality sales professionalshave elected to join mark’ennovy.”

FRAMES FIT FOR A SUPERHEROBritain’s Tom Davies was the eyewear designer behind actor Henry Cavill’s signatureframe for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the new Batman v Superman: Dawn ofJustice movie.

Speaking about the collaboration, Tom said: “When I am bespoking for ‘normal’people, my aim is to complement their natural features to bring out the best version ofthem. With Clark Kent/Superman, I was trying to play with the lines of the frame to alterour perception of the character. The glasses had to look good, but I didn’t want to makeit look like Superman was wearing cool glasses. It was an honour to work on this project.”

Tom Davies’ Superman glasses

Children should spendtwo hours a day outdoors

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60S DESIGN CLASSIC UPDATEDRocco by Rodenstock, the design classic from the 60s, presents a relaxed, urban stylefor this season.

Metal and acetate-metal frames in natural shades feature fronts made of brushedstainless steel with decorative metal temples. Two of the styles feature dual colourways,and several are adorned with coloured end tips, which also bear the trademark of Roccoby Rodenstock, the yellow circle.

The new collection comprises 10 models: the Rocco original model, a striking lookwith a dominant top bar, as well as rectangular models and panto shapes.

Simon (right) and Ben with Hartspartner, Deborah Dodge

WEST COUNTRYMERGERRobert Frith Optometrists have acquired

Harts Eyecare, a leading West Country

independent, with the two practices to

merge into the premises currently

occupied by Harts.

Robert Frith said of the acquisition:

“This makes perfect sense, merging our

own practice with Harts makes us a

strong independent offering for the people

of Yeovil”.

Practice partners Ben Williams and

Simon Frackiewicz added: “With the

recent expansion of our own practice

the acquisition of Harts will strengthen

our place in the market and allow for

future expansion.”

EYES ON THE BALLTo celebrate the forthcoming Euro 2016 footballchampionships, Clearlab has launched a Football 2016version of its Clearcolor Phantom cosmetic contactlenses in nine designs: England, Scotland, France, Spain,Italy, Germany, Belgium, Portugal and a football.

“Clearcolor Phantom is our range of FDA and CE approvedcrazy contact lenses,” said Clearlab’s Dominique Gastaldi.“Our Special Invert Padding Technology prevents surfaceprotrusion on the lens, keeping the eye safe from the colours.Our special design provides unparalleled user comfort,greater centration and premium optics.”

The lenses, only available to eyecare professionals,come in two-monthly packs, and a choice of two point-of-sale posters.

Rocco by Rodenstock

NEWS

DECADE OF PROGRESS MARKEDOptometry Scotland (OS) recently

celebrated the 10-year anniversary of

NHS funded eye examinations under the

GOS regulations.

At a celebratory dinner held in

Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, Richard

Foggo, head of primary care and

population health, praised the

achievements of community optometry.

He said: “I’m sure most people in the

room would agree that General

Ophthalmic Services is one of the true

NHS success stories in Scotland. It

provides a full health check of the patient’s

eyes, including specific proceduresdepending on the patient’s age orcondition. This is a vital step in the earlydetection of eye disease and theprevention of blindness, reducing theburden on secondary care.”

Former OS chairman, Frank Munro,presented evidence of a reduction inreferral rates to secondary care comparedto England, where there is no facility for auniversal NHS funded eye examination,and the increased uptake and retention ofpatients in primary care.

The data produced showed that overthe past 10 years, attendance at eye clinicsin Scotland increased by 4.1 per centcompared to a 44 per cent rise in Englandover the same period. Last year, a total of

2.2 million eye examinations were

provided by community optometrists in

Scotland with less than seven per cent

being referred to GPs and hospitals. This

included more than one million eye

disorders managed by Scottish

optometrists, including an estimated figure

in excess of 200,000 eye emergencies.

Nicola McElvanney, OS chair, said:

“Optometrists have shown their appetite

for ongoing training and development and

are already reducing the burden on general

practitioners and secondary care. As a

profession we are proud to be impacting

on the eye health of the nation and

applaud the fact that we are the first port

of call for eye health in Scotland.”

Clearlab’s flag designcontact lenses


IN THE PINK FOR BREAST CANCER CHARITY Dispensing Optics managingeditor, Nicky Collinson, istaking part in a 10m PinkRibbonwalk at PolesdenLacey on 21 May in aid ofBreast Cancer Care (BCC).

All funds raised from the annual Pink Ribbonwalks around the country enable BCC to provide specialistnurses, local face-to-faceservices and a vital onlinesupport network to anyoneaffected by breast cancer.

Sign up to take part in aPink Ribbonwalk near you at www.breastcancercare.org.uk/ribbonwalk or support Nickyon her Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/njcpink

* Tim Bowden has had to postpone his Optics Cycling for Sight challenge untilSeptember due to an accident whilst out riding. You can still sponsor him atwww.justgiving.com/teambowden2016

Glaucoma is a slowly progressing disease thatcauses thinning of the retinal nerve fibrelayer (RNFL) and ganglion cell layer (GCL),which eventually leads to characteristicvisual field loss.

Multi-modalityimaging can beused to helpdetermine apatient’s risk ofglaucoma. Whenscreening for, or monitoring,glaucoma usinginfrared fundusand OCTtechnology, thefollowing scanpatterns will

help the practitioner to make an accurateassessment:

• Optic nerve head (ONH) fundus image for assessment of RNFL reflectivity and disc structure

• RNFL circle scan (a circular OCT scan taken around the ONH) to measure the thickness of the RNFL

• Posterior pole volume scan to look for RNFL thickness imbalance with the fellow eye and between upper and lower hemispheres

Glaucomatous damage is irreversible and,unfortunately, 50 per cent of people with thedisease don’t know they have it. Monitoringpatients over time for early signs of the diseaseand referral for treatment at the right time iscrucial to preserve vision.

Glaucoma causes the RNFL to thin by about twomicrons per year, so it is important the OCTscan is placed in the same exact location atfollow-up visits in order to confidently measureprogression and detect these small changes.

Eye movements and changes in patient headposition could make this challenging, but theSPECTRALIS AutoRescan function helps theoperator by automatically placing OCT scansin the same anatomic location every time,allowing the practitioner to identify changesas small as one micron.

View a video tutorial on basic retina andglaucoma scanning using OCT atwww.youtube.com/watch?v=AINF5rK48RY

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TECH DEAL TO COMBAT BLINDNESS The University of Manchester has entered into a technology license with Seattle-based company Acucela, which will see Acucela commercialise technology developedby researchers at Manchester that has the potential to partially restore vision inpeople who are blind from degenerative retinal conditions such as retinitispigmentosa (RP).

Acucela, a clinical-stage ophthalmology company that specialises in developingtreatments to slow theprogression of sight-threatening diseases ofthe eye, will nowundertake a programmeof clinical trials ahead ofcommercialisation ofthe technology. It isanticipated that the firstpatients will be treatedwithin three years andAcucela plans to evaluatethe ability of the therapyto partially restorevision in patients whoare legally blind.

The therapy wasdeveloped by University of Manchester researchers Dr Jasmina Cehajic-Kapetanovic andProfessors Robert Lucas and Paul Bishop. In advanced RP the photoreceptor (light-sensitive)cells die off, but other neuronal cells are still present in the retina. In trials using RPaffected mice with a complete loss of their photoreceptor cells, the scientists used agene therapy approach which successfully made these other cells light-responsive. Thisoptogenetic therapy was sufficiently effective at restoring visional responses in the miceto allow them to detect spatial patterns presented using an ordinary flat screen display.

Professor Bishop said: “This is a very exciting therapeutic approach as the blind micewe treated could see surprisingly well in normal lighting conditions, and we think theapproach may be safe as we are putting a normal human retinal protein back into theretina, but in cells that don’t normally make it. We are delighted at the prospect ofworking with Acucela towards restoring some visual function in patients who have severevisual loss from RP and similar conditions.”

Vision loss caused by RP (photo courtesy of the Blind Foundation, New Zealand)

Loss of reflectivityhighlighted on an image of the ONH

Fundraisers at last year’s Pink Ribbonwalk


PATIENTS PAY WHATTHEY LIKELeightons Opticians and Hearing Carerecently invited patients to pay whatthey like for a 45-minute eyeexamination they are normally charged£69 for.

The company’s Pay What You Want

campaign aimed to encourage people to

have “the ultimate eye examination” using

OCT technology.

CEO Ryan Leighton said: “We truly

believe in our For Life philosophy where we

care for people’s sight and hearing so they

can live life as fully as possible. So, that is

why we can stand by our Pay What You

Want campaign. This is not about giving

away something for free, it’s about raising

awareness of the importance of eye health

and in our case providing people with the

opportunity to experience the Ultimate

Eye Examination but in a way where they

get to choose to pay what it’s worth.”

The campaign ran during April and was

available to anyone over 18 within

participating Leightons stores.

Six-year-old Ralph having an eye exam in Haiti (courtesy of Cielo Pictures)

GLOBAL CHILDREN’S VISION CAMPAIGNOptometry Giving Sight (OGS) co-hosted the official launch of the Our Children’sVision Campaign at the Australian Consulate in New York last month.

The new global campaign has been initiated by the Brien Holden Vision Institute andthe Vision for Life fund, created by Essilor, and seeks to bring together governments,development agencies, the private sector, eye health practitioners and communities withthe goal of screening 50 million children worldwide for vision impairments by 2020 andcreating access to appropriate services for those who need them.

“All of us can appreciate the importance of good vision – not just for ourselves andour families, but for the many children around the world who don’t have access to thevision care services they need,” said OGS chair, Dr Juan Carlos. “After all, if you can’t see,you can’t learn, and that condemns many in the developing world to a life of poverty anddisadvantage.”

Learn more about the campaign, and its partners, at www.ourchildrensvision.org

John Heritage

A HEAD FOR BUSINESSJohn Heritage has been promoted tohead of business development for the UKand Ireland at Hoya.

Previously regional businessdevelopment manager for the North, Johnsaid: “I have been proud to represent aninnovative Japanese technology business.I’m excited to see what challenges the next phase of my career with Hoya will bring.”

John will head a team of 18 businessdevelopment managers supportingindependent practices.

NEWS

Professor Nolan presents key research findings

ALZHEIMER’S LINKDISCOVEREDProfessor John Nolan, principalinvestigator at the Vision ResearchCentre, Waterford Institute ofTechnology, presented his latest researchon the relationship between cognitivefunction and macular pigment density(MPD) measured using the HeidelbergEngineering Spectralis at the OptometricFaculty Launch in London recently.

“A study looking at the impact ofcarotenoid supplementation on vision inpatients with Alzheimer’s disease showedthat patients using supplements that arerich in carotenoids experienced improvedvision as their macular pigment wasboosted,” explained Professor Nolan. “Thenext phase of the research will follow acohort of patients with early signs ofcognitive decline over a three-year periodto investigate whether taking specificsupplements can arrest the decline in andimprove their cognitive function.”

The MPD Module for Spectralis used byProfessor Nolan will allow quantitativemeasurement of macular pigment. It iscurrently under development and not forsale, but will be available as an upgrade toall expandable Spectralis imagingplatforms in the future.


GIVING OUT PDS

This month’s query was complex and one where I reallydid feel for our member, who was trying to do the rightthing but was not sure how that could be achieved.

The situation was that a father had requested his son’sPD to enable him to order a pair of cycling spectaclesonline. His son was a low myope and 15 years of age. I’msure most of you reading this think, “You can’t do that!” –and you are quite right – but life is seldom that simple.

The law is quite clear: anyone under 16 may notpurchase spectacles from anyone other than a registeredpractitioner and that does, of course, include sports specs.Neither can someone buy them on their behalf.

Giving out the PD for an adult is very much at thediscretion of the practice and I have written on the subjectbefore. By giving the PD, you are taking responsibility forthe accuracy of the information and ABDO has a form thatit recommends using so there can be no misunderstanding,should you wish to give the information (ABDO Advice andGuidelines website Appendix H).

This problem was not so simple. Was it, in fact, legal to

give the PD of a child to enable the parent to orderspectacles illegally? I don’t think it is. You would beencouraging an illegal act from a position of knowledge.But, there is always a ‘but’; what is in the patient’s bestinterest? The father would simply go ahead and orderonline, guessing the PD and lying about the age of thewearer. If the resulting spectacles were poorly fitted andcentred, that would be poor professional care.

At the end of the discussion with this member, weagreed that she wouldn’t give the PD to the parent butwould explain as calmly and carefully as possible that thelaw is to protect children and why ordering online, evenwith the correct PD, is a bad idea.

There will always be such conundrums in practice. Thelaw isn’t easy to understand or explain to patients,especially on a busy Saturday morning. It is part of the roleof a registered DO (or optometrist) to make suchexplanations as clear as possible to the patients who seekour advice.

The irony is that within a few months, the young manmay order his own cycling specs online without the correctinformation but quite legally.

Kim Devlin

is chair of

ABDO’s

Advice and

Guidelines

Working

Group

Past FAQs are available for reference on the ABDO website at http://www.abdo.org.uk/frequently-asked-questions

Frequently asked questionsanswered by Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL

AREA 3 (NORTH EAST & ISLE OFMAN): PEACEFUL START TO CYCLEBy Richard RawlinsonThe Peace Centre in Warrington proved to be an excellentvenue for more than 80 delegates keen to kickstart theirCET learning, and network with members on the firstsunny Sunday of the year (13 March).

More than 10 CET points were on offer covering eightcompetencies, including interactive learning, group peerdiscussions and Silhouette’s popular rimless workshop.Highlights were presentations from Lyndon Taylor on GOSreclaims, which provided healthy discussion and muchvalued advice, and Steve Wright from Clearlab whoeducated us all on the art of fitting toric contact lenses.

Many thanks as always to our loyal sponsors in makingthis such a successful event.

AREA 5 (MIDLANDS): RECORDTURNOUT IN DERBYBy Ian HardwickOur CET day on 7 March in Derby yielded our largestever turnout of 185 delegates, with a sponsoredexhibition including Williams Morris, Charmant, Shamir,Optical Service, Orasis, OWP, Essilor, Wolf Eyewear,Tokai, Continental Eyewear, Silhouette and Nikon.

The morning session started with a multi-stationworkshop entitled, ‘DO five’, which saw delegates divideinto five groups to move between five stations forinteractive discussion (three CET points). Sarah Brown ofShamir then ran a discussion workshop on sports visiondispensing (three CET points). She said afterwards: “Wealways find ABDO Area days great networking opportunitiesand enjoy being able to support ABDO.”

After lunch, delegates enjoyed a ‘Lids, lashes andlacrimation’ discussion workshop by Mike Cody (Area 5secretary), then ‘A duty to refer’ – another discussionworkshop by Angela MacNamee (both three CET points).Finally, we heard from Professor Helen Dentona on ‘Lowvision in the High Street practice’ (one CET point).

Delegates also took part in alternative small workshopsthroughout the day: ‘All in a day’s work’ peer discussionwith Angela MacNamee and Keith Cavaye; ‘Photochromaticmini-lab’ with Andy Hepworth; and a Silhouette rimlessworkshop – all worth three CET points.

Speaking at the end of the day, delegate Rachael Breareysaid: “I’d highly recommend this day. I’ve attended for anumber of years and I even travel from Leeds now. I havealways found it to be well organised with a good variety oftopics that are really relevant in day-to-day practice.”

Our next CET day is on 3 October at the Manor Hotel,Meridan, Solihull.

Area 3 Silhouette rimless workshop

AREANEWS


RACING PRO DRIVES NEW SUN COLLECTIONThe new Slim Collection from Serengeti features as Brand Ambassador topGerman racing driver, Sabine Schmitz, also known as the Queen of Nurburgring.The only female host of the all-new Top Gear line-up, Sabine became thefirst female to win the 24 Hours Nurburgring race in 1996.

Serengeti’s Slim Collection features durable, lightweight, chemicallyresistant grilamid frames and polarised, photochromic mineral lenses with apatented spectral control filter. There are two styles – Positano for men andOstuni for ladies as worn by Sabine.

“Extremely thin and lightweight, the Slim Collection stands out thanksto its minimalist classic style and maximum comfort,” said Dawne Warren,business and communications director for Bushnell Performance Optics. “Withits rounded lens shape, Ostuni offers a glamorous look with Serengeti style andis available to prescription via our easy-to-use webshop in +6.00 to -8.00D.”

BLOOMING WITH COLOUR AND VIBRANCYOrchid is a stunning addition to Maui Jim’s growing collection of fashionforward styles.

Designed with a feminine, oversized nylon frame, the Orchid sunglassesare one of nine styles in the Maui Jim Fashion collection. They are availablein three vibrant colour schemes – including a dark tortoise and raspberrycombination surrounding a Maui Rose lens. Fully glazeable, the Orchid isinspired by the eponymous vibrant flower and is best suited to square oroblong face shapes.

Created on the Hawaiian Islands, Maui Jim sunglasses feature patentedPolarizedPlus2 lens technology for brilliant colour so every detail is crisperand cleaner and without glare or harmful UV.

MADE AND CREATED IN ENGLANDThe stylish Made in England brand, Walter & Herbert, brings 70 years ofhome-grown expertise to its first 11-piece sunglass range. Remaining trueto its quintessentially English archetype, the styles are named after iconicBritish figures including Florence Nightingale, Enid Blyton, Audrey Hepburnand Julie Christie.

Each frame was conceived in the company’s design studio just outsideLondon, before being crafted in its factory in Liverpool by specialisttechnicians and tested in the company’s own UKAS-accredited laboratory.

The models are available in two colourways – apart from the women’sNightingale frame which comes in three. Christie (pictured) offers a moderntwist on a 1950s classic. The leather detailing on the temple and the smoothcontours give a glamourous Hollywood feel to this iconic cat-eye shape.

ICONIC AND FUTURISTIC DESIGN SIGNATURESFuturistic design meets innovative technology with the new P’8620 –Porsche Design Iconic style, which showcases sporty elegance andultralight, robust materials.

Racing pro, Sabine Schmitz, wears Ostunifrom the Serengeti Slim Collection

The new Maui Jim Orchid in tortoise with peacock

Model Christie named after actress Julie Christie

Let thesun shine

Anything goes for the spring/summer 2016 sunwearseason as exemplified by this select array of eclectic

shapes and styles for both men and women

Model P’8620 – Porsche Design Iconic from Rodenstock


The temples are made of titanium and fit into the unique shield front,by way of a ball hinge function. Inspired by the field of aerodynamics, thehinge solution is reminiscent of the complex rotor mount of a helicopterfor the highest flexibility. In addition, it has an almost weightless feel dueto the use of very light materials combined with titanium.

The feminine curved or masculine angular fronts come with a fashionablegraduated tint or mirror coating. The Iconic frames are available in threeshapes, including a men’s and ladies’ model each with four colour variations,as well as a strictly limited version with an 18 carat gold frame.

LOW KEY LUXE FROM IRISH DESIGNERIrish designer Paul Costelloe has launched a new 10-piece sunglasses rangein partnership with Dunelm Optical.

The collection of timeless classic sunglasses is an elegant addition tothe Paul Costelloe eyewear range featuring everything from chunkymasculine designs to slim and classic metal frames.

Commenting on sunwear trends for this season, Paul said: “Sunglassesare as diverse as usual for 2016, catering for a whole range of interests,styles and face shapes. Trends are mainly continuations of what’s beengoing on in 2015 and before. There are the staple shapes of cat-eyes,oversized rounds, squares, aviators and wayfarers. My sun collection haslow-key luxe styles that stick to my contemporary classic dictum, andmakes them accessible for many.”

CAMPAIGN PAYS HOMAGE TO 80S NEW WAVEDanish eyewear designers at Ørgreen have captured a mysterious midnightdrive to a major metropolis for their spring/summer 2016 campaign for aretro jet set style with futuristic fantasy.

In a tribute to 80s New Wave, the setting features a white LamborghiniCountach – an iconic accessory from the era which pioneered the extremewedge shape in high performance sports cars. Conceived by photographerSøren Solkær and styled by the renowned Simon Rasmussen, the campaignstars model Maja Krag and Nikolaj Hübbe, artistic director of the RoyalDanish Ballet.

Founded in Copenhagen in 1997, Ørgreen is rooted in the Danish designtradition offering excellent quality and craftsmanship combined with aminimalist aesthetic.

SNAPPY MAGNETIC FEATURE ON ADJUSTABLE SUNSPECSLacoste has launched a new range of magnetic sunwear styles featuringpatented technology with extendable temples with magnets inside them.

Available from Marchon, the frames are available in four colours (black,Havana, matt grey and matt blue) and have plastic-covered metal core wiresleeves with five stop positions to ensure the right fitting. The tone-on-tone Lacoste extended logo and famous croc also appear on the temples.Geared towards men, the frames feature a double-bridge and the lenses are glazeable.

EYE-CATCHING STYLES FOR URBAN EXPLORERSThe new Elle Eyewear sunglass profiles are a melange of soft angles andflowing lines sculpted in metal and acetate. Selected styles from thecollection, produced by Charmant, offer greater wearing comfort thanks tothe use of the light and flexible material, ultem.

This season’s colour focus is on shades of cyan, mint green and strongpink complementing eye-catching temples featuring urban graphicelements, jungle-inspired patterns and bold naval stripes.

Model EL 14824 is a bold translucent acetate frame. The classic black modelfeatures temples with a modern tortoise execution in black and glittery silver.The purple (pictured) and turquoise versions feature a colourful arrangementof geometric stripes, while the brown model sports an abstract pattern.

Next month’s Product Spotlight will be on contact lenses and related products.

New Paul Costelloe sun

Geometric stripes onElle model EL 14824

A shot from Ørgreen’s s/s 2016 campaign

Lacoste Magnetic Frames

SUNWEAR

18

Patients with learning disabilitiescan provide some of the biggestchallenges of a professionalcareer but also some of thebiggest rewards.

The Foundation for People with LearningDisabilities estimates that there are 1.5million people in the UK who have a learningdisability.1 There is no precise definition ofwhat a learning disability is, and it is oftennot a specific condition. For instance,someone with cerebral palsy, whilst havinga physical disability, may or may not have alearning disability.

Emerson and Heslop2 categorise alearning disability (LD) as “a significantly

reduced ability to understand new or

complex information (and) learn new skills’

combined with ‘a reduced ability to cope

independently”, and starting beforeadulthood and having a lasting impact ondevelopment. The learning disability can beclassified by cause, or by severity: profound,severe, moderate or mild. The most commoncause of LDs is Down’s syndrome (26 percent) but for many individuals the cause isnon-specific or unknown.

One area that can cause confusion isthat a LD is different from a specific learningdifficulty (SLD), which is a term used torefer to conditions such as dyslexia, althoughthe UK is the only country to make thisdistinction2. However, the terms have been

used synonymously in the past. This is notto belittle people who struggle with dyslexiabut it is an important distinction. SLDs can,however, be so severe as to cause anindividual LD.

The number of people with a LD in theUK is increasing. This is partly due to betterhealthcare and increasing life expectancybut also to better survival rates for disabledchildren3. Successive governments havecommitted to improvements in healthcareprovision for individuals and the latestreport, Health Action Planning and Health

Facilitation for people with learning

disabilities: good practice guidance (2009)4

has recommended “providing personalised

care and support for people with a learning

disability”. It recommends that this isdelivered in a person centred manner andfacilitated by use of a Health Action Plan.The gold standard of the action plan is tohave annual health reviews in a primarycare setting. This means that we are allmore likely to see increasing numbers ofpeople with a LD in our practices.

PREPARING FOR PATIENTS WITH LDSSome of the anxiety that is felt, the ‘Will Ibe able to help?’ and ‘What do I need todo?’, whilst coming from wanting to do thebest for our patients, can be likened to aculture shock. We normally have a greatdeal in common with our patients, such as

similar lifestyles and hobbies, and it is fairto say that in this day and age most peopledrive, read, watch TV and use a computer ofone sort or another.

Yet patients with LDs are perceived ashaving very different lifestyles and pastimesand hence different visual needs, which canlead to us feeling out of our depth. Inreality, each person that we see in thepractice has a unique set of needs andabilities and a unique set of problems to besolved, which we must identify regardless ofthe presence of a LD.

The most common causes of anxietyabout seeing patients with LD amongsthealthcare professionals is the perceivedproblems of communication with theperson and problems with challengingbehaviour5. Statistics that up to 16 percent, or one in six people, have challengingbehaviour only serve to compound this worry.

However, in 20 years of practice withpatients with LDs I can only recall a coupleof incidents where the behaviour has beenso challenging as to risk injury – and eventhen I was culpable by getting too close toa patient who was distressed. Many‘disruptive behaviours’ are simply a way ofcommunicating that someone is unhappywith a situation. By responding to theimplied message, the behaviour trait willoften stop.

CET


C-51208

This article has been approved for 1 CET point by the GOC. It is open to all FBDO members, and associatemember optometrists. The multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for this month’s CET are available online only,to comply with the GOC’s Good Practice Guidance for this type of CET. Insert your answers to the six MCQsonline at www.abdo.org.uk. After log-in, go to ‘CET Online’. Questions will be presented in random order.Please ensure that your email address and GOC number are up-to-date. The pass mark is 60 per cent. Theanswers will appear in the September 2016 issue of Dispensing Optics. The closing date is 9 August 2016.

The learning disabled patientin practice By Andrew Millington BSc MRes MCOptom

COMPETENCIES COVEREDDispensing opticians: Standards of Practice, Communication, Refractive Management,Optical AppliancesOptometrists: Standards of Practice, Communication, Assessment of Visual Function,Optical Appliances


Small changes to normal routines canreap large rewards and the most commonchallenge that behaviour poses, in myexperience, has been patients who refuse toget out of the car to attend the practice.However, this can be countered with theright response.

Patient preparation is useful. This mayinvolve sending information before theappointment, which can be as simple asphotos and the names of the people whowill see the patient. Experience has shownhow much carers and patients value knowingwho they are going to see. Other patientsmay respond to a visual timetable. This willusually consist of pictures of where andwhat will happen. Typically, this may be theoutside of the practice, then the waitingarea, the consulting room and theoptometrist, the dispensing area and thedispensing optician and then home.

Other patients may wish to visit thepractice before the appointment. In primarycare, it is not uncommon for young childrento accompany an older sibling to anappointment so they can see what happensbefore they have their own eye examination –and this is simply an extension of thatpractice. It is ideal to pick a time when thepractice is quiet so that the patient canfamiliarise themselves with the practice,and meet the people involved in calmsurroundings.

HOW TO BE DISABILITY-FRIENDLYTalking about alterations to the practice andnormal routines can sound daunting butthey are really just good practice for anypatient. All practices should be disabilityfriendly; there is an obligation to provideaccess for all so there should already beroom for wheelchairs but making sure thatthere is room for wheelchairs to manoeuvrewithin the practice is often overlookedwhen displaying products.

Allow carers to sit with wheelchair usersor have the facility to move a waiting roomchair to allow it. It is also best practice forwheelchairs to enter and leave rooms facingforwards. If this is not possible, as is oftenthe case in a consulting room, the personshould be brought in forwards to see theroom before being taken back out andbrought in backwards.

It is essential to establish how a personcommunicates right at the start of theappointment6. Some people may haverecognisable speech or their own way ofverbalising yes, no and simple requests;others may sign and others may respond indifferent ways through body language.

When talking to patients, address the

patient rather than the carer. It may be thecarer who responds but still address thepatient. If you do need to talk to the carer,ask the patient if that is OK. Carers willoften respond by asking the patient if it isOK for them to answer. This stops thepatient from becoming disenfranchised, itkeeps them at the centre of the process andis more likely to encourage compliantbehaviour and be less likely to result indisruptive behaviour.

It is important to allow the patientplenty of time to respond. Many patientswith LD take time to process spokenlanguage and then take time to form theirresponse. First, allow time for this processbefore repeating the question and if youdon't understand the answer, apologise andask for clarification.

During the questioning stage, it isimportant to establish how patients filltheir time. A typical weekly daily routinemay include, exercise; swimming is verycommon, it is low impact and a safeenvironment. It may sound counterintuitiveto say that swimming is a safe environmentbut when you have one-on-one or one-on-two support, it is quite difficult to get intotrouble. Other exercise can include cycling,usually side by side bikes or trikes, andrebound or trampoline.

UNDERSTANDING LD PATIENTS’ NEEDSIt may sound surprising but many LDpatients work; this is often voluntary butcan be paid and is a great source of pride tomany of the patients. Typical examples arecafé work or volunteering in a charity shop.There are often day centre sessions, whichcan include various therapies such assensory rooms and music sessions as well

as craft work (Figure 1), and tea andbiscuits is very popular.

School age children will often belearning life skills. These can be structuredwithin the national curriculumrequirements. An awareness of money isimportant and preparing a shopping list,going shopping, paying and checkingchange and then baking a cake will fulfilnumeracy and literacy requirements.

Obviously all these activities areimportant and all have large visualrequirements, and a range of tool such asthe Seeability pre-test questionnaire andfunctional vision assessment have beendeveloped7. These tools can give someinsight into an individual’s behaviours andwhat their needs are. The tools are based onobservations of the patient and give us aninsight into their lifestyle as well as anyproblems they may be experiencing.

This highlights the fact that observationis a very important skill, which we all use.However, being conscious of observing thepatient with LD can pay dividends. How dothey react while sitting and waiting? Arethey visually exploring the room? Do theyinteract with those next to them? Are theyusing an iPad? Watching them as theymove, are they confident walkers or do theyhave a head down, shuffling walk? Are theyhesitant with a change of surface such aslaminate to carpet? What about steps, anda change of ambient lighting for instancefrom a bright waiting area to a morerelaxed dispensing area?

All of these observations give clues tothe way that someone uses their vision andalso to how we can best help. For example,when dispensing, there are considerationsof the patient’s dexterity. For the averagedispensing, it may be obvious that a patientwould benefit from a PPL but if someonehas a head tilt and tremor and is in awheelchair with a head support, a framemay constantly move or sit at an anglerendering a PPL inappropriate. The obviousnext choice on paper might then be twoseparate pairs but if a patient is unable tohandle their own frames and change theglasses, is this appropriate?

There are anecdotal tales of patientsbeing prescribed two pairs and returningtwo years later having broken both pairs.The carers very proudly tell you that hewore the glasses all the time. The first pairwere stronger, as he wore those all the timefor the first 18 months and he’s only beenusing the spares for the last six monthsbefore the recall arrived. Or other carerswho remembered that he needed to changethe glasses for close work and religiously

Figure 1: Craft classes can developcoordination and dexterity

20

Continuing Education and Training

put the brown (reading) ones on for TV andthen changed to the black (distance) oneswhenever he was doing close work.

This illustrates that it is not just thenumbers in the prescription that influencesour prescribing, we need to think abouthow the glasses will be used. It is oftenmore useful to prescribe low adds forconstant wear. If someone is a non-driver,do they need 6/12 to 6/9? How far away dowe regularly look and how blurred is thedistance anyway?

USEFUL TESTS AND TOOLSObviously there will be modifications tothe eye examination. A traditional letterchart may be of little use with someonewho is non-literate. Many of us will befamiliar with picture tests such as KayPictures (Figure 2). It was developed byHazel Kay, an orthoptist, and is generallyused at three metres8,9. It consists of a setof picture symbols of decreasing sizesarranged in blocks of four symbols peracuity surrounded by a crowding box. Themeasurable acuity is in the range of 3/30 to3/2.4. It also has a matching card and anear acuity test card. The great advantagefor use in a LD clinic is that it can be namedsigned or matched as the symbols all havesimple Makaton signs.

Makaton is a modification of BritishSign Language that was developed by agroup of speech and language therapists. Itis a language system that is designed tointegrate speech, symbols and signs (Figure3), although many individuals will only signto communicate, many of us will

inadvertently be familiar with some of thesigns as it is used by Mr Tumble onCBeebies10.

One advantage of the Kay test is that ithas a good correlation with Snellen. Thismeans that we can explain to carers theimplications of reduced acuity oruncorrected prescription by simulating it ona letter chart.

Some individuals may be unable orunwilling to participate with naming,signing or matching and for them, apreferential looking test can be used suchas the Cardiff Cards. This relies on theprinciple of vanishing optotypes, where thedetail of an object is made smaller andsmaller until it is indistinguishable from thebackground and the fact that people willlook at a more interesting scene rather thana plain one8.

Patients are shown a card with a pictureeither at the top or the bottom without theexaminer knowing where the target is. Ifthey can see the target, they will looktowards it. The test relies on the skill of the

examiner to judge the eye movement andalso to engage the patient to continue thetest, as after the first couple ofpresentations it can become quite dull.

Often only a binocular acuity ismeasured as we are interested primarily onhow the patient is going to manage ‘out inthe real world’ and that is their habitualstate. Ideally, monocular and binocularcorrected and uncorrected acuities wouldbe measured but with some patients that isjust not possible.

Some patients are just not able toparticipate in a formal acuity test but arestill obviously very visual, investigating theroom when they walk in, making andmaintaining eye contact, seeing and takingthe toys in the toy box. We would recordthese patients as being Visually Curious(VC) as recording no vision measurableimplies very reduced acuity or even lack oflight perception.

Anecdotal reports tell of carers whohave been told patients are blind so fail toprovide any visual stimulation, even to the


Figure 2: Figure of Kay Pictures (copyrightKay Pictures, and courtesy of Hazel Kay)

Figure 3: Makaton integrates speech, symbols and signs


extent of not turning the lights on in a roomas it is not necessary. This serves to highlightanother very important function of theeyecare team: to educate the carers aboutthe implications of the individual’s vision.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Other aspects of vision can be affectedwith LD. This might be visual field, contrastsensitivity or processing such as facerecognition. Various studies have shownthat the incidence of prescription and thedegree of the correction required is higherin LD than the general population and thatthe use of correction is below average.

An understanding of what a patient fillstheir time with informs any prescribingdecision. Glasses are supplied to fulfil aneed. While this need may be obvious inthe average patient, such as needing tomeet the driving standard with a patientwho has LD, it may be less obvious.

One of the issues surroundingprescribing spectacles for someone with aLD is that they are a vulnerable adult orchild and we are seen by some as being‘glasses shops’. The need for glasses canoften be demonstrated by showing carersthe difference that prescription makes bygetting them to look through trial lenses –or better still having a range of glazedframes that someone can try and watchingfor changes. It is rewarding to see thechanges in someone when they first wear aglazed prescription.

There are obvious challenges whenhelping patients who have learning disabilitiesbut the rewards are also huge. The look ofdelight on a child’s face when they firstrealise what they can see with their newspecs, or meeting someone who now has avoice through using a communicationdevice and knowing that you played a partin them being able to do that are priceless.

Not everyone will have a practice thatsees large numbers of patients with LDs but

as we become a more integrated society,we will all see more of these patients and afew simple changes and a willingness tohelp and to learn are all that are needed toprovide life-changing opportunities.

REFERENCES1. The foundation for people with learning

disabilities. Learning disability statistics

[online] 2011. Available at http://www.learningdisabilities.org.uk/help-information/Learning-Disability-Statistics-/ (accessed 16 February 2016).

2. Emerson EH and Heslop P (2010) A working definition of learning disabilities[online]. Available at https://www.improvinghealthandlives.org.uk/uploads/doc/vid_7446_2010-01WorkingDefinition.pdf (accessed 16 February 2016).

3. Emerson E, Hatton C, Robertson J, Baines S, Christie A and Glover G (2012)People with Learning Disabilities in England

[online]. Available at https://www.improvinghealthandlives.org.uk/publications/1185/People_with_Learning_Disabilities_in_England_2012 (accessed 17 February 2016).

4. HM Government Department of Health. Health Action Planning and Health Facilitation for people with learning disabilities: good practice guidance 2009.

5. Li JCh, Wong K, Park AS, Fricke TR and Jackson AJ (2012) The challenges of providing eye care for adults with intellectual disabilities. Clin. Exp. Optom. 98 (5): 420-429.

6. Millington A and Campbell S (2014) Learning disabilities. The history and symptoms routine. Optometry Today 54;(14): 44-47. Also available (text only) atThe Free Library http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Learning+disabilities--the+history+and+symptoms+routine.-a0381587881(accessed 17 February 2016).

7. SeeAbility. Eye Test Questionnaire for parents of children with learning disabilities [online] 2015. Available at https://www.seeability.org/uploads/files/PDFs_Advisory_services/Childrensurvey.pdf (accessed 17 February 2016).

8. The College of Optometrists. Examiningchildren. [online] Available at http://www.docet.info/filemanager/root/site_assets/examining_children_booklet.pdf 2011 (accessed 17 February 2016).

9. Charity, The Makaton [online, date unknown] Available at https://www.makaton.org/aboutMakaton/(accessed 16 Feb 2016)

10. British Broadcasting Company (BBC) Makaton. 2016 [online] Available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grown

ups/makaton (accessed 16 February 2016).

FURTHER READINGVision 20/20 People with LearningDisabilities (PWLD) – Quality Standards forDispensing Opticians (Guidelines) [online]2015 Available athttp://www.abdo.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/PWLD-QS-for-DOs-guidelines-Jan-2016.pdf

ANDREW MILLINGTON is a part-timeclinical tutor in the Cardiff School ofOptometry & Vision Sciences and principaltutor on two current post-graduatemodules. Andy is one of the threeoptometrists working regularly in theSpecial Assessment Clinic, runs the lectureprogramme in Special Needs for theundergraduate module, and also runs theProfessional Awareness practicalsspecialising in communication skills. Healso has his own independent practice inChepstow. Andy’s work with people withautism earned the Special AssessmentClinic the inaugural award for clinicalexcellence by the National Autistic Societyin 2013.

TWIGGY LENDSSTAR APPEALTwiggy took part in a BBC Radio 4 appeal

last month in support of Vision Aid

Overseas (VAO).

During the short broadcast, which aired

three times, Twiggy told an estimated one

million listeners the story of Yisimash, a 28-

year-old nurse from Amba Giorgis in

Ethiopia and how a simple sight test and

spectacles enabled Yisimash to continue to

care for her patients.The fashion

icon, who has herown range of framesin partnership withSpecsavers, said: “I can’t imaginewhat it must be likefor people in poorcountries who can’tget glasses and can’t read or do their work.” Voice of VAO appeal

PLEASE NOTE THE CET

OFFICE HAS CHANGED

ITS EMAIL ADDRESS

WITH IMMEDIATE

EFFECT TO:

[email protected]


Which statement best explains the term ‘disability’?a. Multiple cognitive deficiencies together with special

educational needsb. Inability to function without assistance c. Having mental or physical issues affecting the ability to

carry out everyday activitiesd. Lacking mobility due to congenital or acquired impairment

c is the correct answer. It is a restriction on activity dueto the malfunction of physical or mental capabilities, or both.

As part of a refit, a practitioner intends to re-design theentrance of his premises. To ensure maximum emphasisis placed on accessibility for the disabled…

a. automatic doors are essentialb. the number of steps must be kept to a minimumc. the dimensions of portable mobility aids should be taken

into accountd. the practice must have double front-opening doors

c is the correct answer. The redesigned entrance shouldhave a doorway fit for purpose so that wheelchairs andwalking frames can easily be moved through.

Signs within the practice or store should have:a. black letters on a white backgroundb. white letters on a coloured backgroundc. red letters on a black background d. coloured letters on a white background

a is the correct answer. Although in some eye conditionsa certain combination of background and lettering colour canbe easier to read, the font chosen should be clear and well-defined and the letters provide maximum contrast.

Which statement is true?a. The Equality Act 2010 only applies to those who are

registered disabledb. Low vision aids can be dispensed by any dedicated and

knowledgeable members of the practice teamc. There are justifiable reasons why a registered dispensing

optician may refuse to see a patientd. It is essential to speak more loudly to a patient with

obvious hearing loss

c is the correct answer. Although the dispensing opticianmust not discriminate on grounds of disability according tothe law and professional guidance, if the patient appears to beunder the influence of drink or drugs, or if they have demandsinconsistent with their prescription, refusal may be justified.

The Accessible Information Standard applies specifically

to the following:

a. GP practices in England and Wales

b. all organisations that provide NHS care

c. professions that are subject to statutory regulation

d. adults with learning difficulties

b is the correct answer. All organisations that provide

NHS or adult social care.

Fill in the sentence with the most appropriate words:

‘A person would be guilty of discrimination against a

disabled person if he [….] as directed by primary

legislation and subsequent amendments and Orders.

a. …or his staff do not implement a duty to take care of

patients…

b. …could not produce evidence of a duty to remove all

potential hazards…

c. …is unable to satisfy a duty to remedy all provisions…

d. …fails to comply with a duty to effect reasonable

adjustments…

d is the correct answer. As in many legal documents,

the key word is ‘reasonable’.

Which statement is incorrect?

a. The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 states that anyone

with a disability has the right to expect fairness from all

b. It is possible to be responsible for confidentiality and to

make judgements on mental capacity

c. Ideally, disabled patients entering a practice should be

allowed to browse without the attention of members

of staff

d. The T setting on a hearing aid is required in order to use

the loop system

c is the correct answer. Every effort should be made to

welcome all patients and offer assistance.

Complete the sentence correctly. For optometrists and

dispensing opticians the GOC Standards of Practice will

take the place of:

a. the ABDO Advice and Guidelines

b. the Code of Conduct

c. the Disability Discrimination Act

d. the Equality Act

b is the correct answer. The other options remain current.

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Six of the following questions were presented online to entrants to comply with the GOC’sbest practice specifications for this type of CET

MCAs

Multiple choice answers:Making the practice disability-friendly by Kim Devlin FBDO(Hons) CL (Dispensing Optics January 2016)

FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE ABDO EVENT DETAILS keep an eye out for the eNews landing in your in box, andthe events section of the website, visit www.abdo.org.uk/events


Dispensing opticians who electto embark on a contact lenscareer are choosing toparticipate in a post-graduatequalification – studying

subjects in greater detail and depth, gainingpractical skills and experience in a newfield and learning new clinical decision-making techniques. At the same time, they are usually performing as a qualifieddispensing optician in practice – andprobably other duties too.

As a result of these demands, theAssociation endeavours to give traineecontact lens opticians (TCLOs) specificsupport in the form of certain requirementsand timelines regarding supervision andpersonal practical experience.

To date, the registration of the supervisorand the practice is confirmed following thepractice visit, which takes place between 12and six months prior to the practicalexamination. During the visit, possibleexpansion of the TCLO’s practical experienceby the involvement of a secondarysupervisor is discussed. It is well reportedthat there may be variations in clinicians’opinions and, as such, this may be confusingfor an inexperienced TCLO. Therefore, thereis a need for consistency of supervision inthe early stages of their training.

However, for clarification, it has beendecided to formalise certain aspects of thesupport, resulting in some changes to thedocumentation and timelines with effectfrom 1 August 2016.

There are no changes to the followingrequirements:

• One (principal) supervisor remaining responsible for all the support and practical experience for the TCLO.

• One main practice.• Success in the in-practice GOC

Competency (5.2) prior to acceptance for the CL practical examination, which takes place during the practice visit.

• A practice visit in the 12 to six-month period prior to the practical examination.

• Deadline dates for applications for the in-practice assessment and practice visit:

˚ 31 January for the summer examinations

˚ 31 July for the winter examinations

NEW REQUIREMENTSWith effect from 1 August, the newrequirements will be:

• The TCLO will be responsible for the completion and submission to the ABDO Examinations and Registration Department, of the registration application for the (principal) supervisor and the practice as soon as the TCLO’s personal practical experience with patients begins.

• The requirements for minimum hours of personal practical experience with patients will not commence until the principal supervisor has received registration confirmation from the ABDO Examinations and Registration Department.

• At the time of submission, the TCLO must either be commencing an approved formal contact lens training course or have completed such a course.

• The TCLO will be responsible for the submission to the ABDO Examinations and Registration Department, of the request for the in-practice assessment and practice visit within the deadlines of:

˚ 31 January for the summer examinations

˚ 31 July for the winter examinations

With effect from 1 August, if the TCLOhas completed six months’ personal practicalexperience and a minimum of 150 hours

under their principal supervisor registeredwith the ABDO Examinations and RegistrationDepartment, they may have access to asecondary supervisor if one is available. Inthat event:

• The TCLO will be responsible for the completion and submission to the ABDO Examinations and Registration Department, of the registration application for the secondary supervisor.

It should be noted that:• The secondary supervisor’s

involvement may only begin after six months and if the TCLO has, during that period, achieved 150 hours or more of personal practical experience with patients.

• A secondary supervisor must meet the same criteria as the principal supervisor and must be willing to undertake the task.

• The TCLO may spend no more than 33 per cent of their practical experience hours under the secondary supervisor.

• The principal supervisor retains overall responsibility for the TCLO’s support and practical experience until they achieve the ABDO Certificate in Contact Lens Practice and so may gain CL Specialty registration with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Please note: these changes do notaffect any currently registered supervisorsor any TCLOs undertaking examinations inthe summer 2016 sitting.

Any queries with respect to the above

changes should be addressed in writing to

the Examinations and Registration Department.

Email [email protected]

ROSEMARY BAILEY FBDO(HONS) CL isABDO chief examiner in Contact LensPractice.

CONTACTLENSES

Trainee CLO supervision changes

Rosemary Bailey outlines changes to traineecontact lens optician supervision requirements,which come into effect on 1 August


When small niggles inyour practice blow upinto a row betweenstaff members, do youthink: “This could easily

have been prevented?” Fortunately formost practices, conflict between staffhappens rarely but it can have damagingeffects if it does. In this article, read tipson how to improve communication, preventproblems and develop positive HR practices.

“It’s not fair!” Does that cry go up inyour practice? It might not be in quite thesame words: see also “She always hasFridays off”; “He never puts the bins out”;“She doesn’t pull her weight”, etc. Whateverthe complaint, managing staff isn’t thesame as being a parent, but sometimes itcan feel like you are continually dealingwith petty squabbles.

If you think, “Everything in my practiceis lovely”, don’t stop reading. All too oftenconflict can be triggered by somethingapparently tiny that only becomes an issueslowly and over time. Read on for tips andsteps to nip issues in the bud, and positivepractices to develop a great workingrelationship with the whole team.

NIPPING ISSUES IN THE BUDTo start, be clear about what you expecteach member of staff to do, and to whatstandard. This might mean that you need toreview your current job descriptions. Eachmember of staff will benefit from apersonalised staff handbook. This canoutline things that apply to everyone, likehealth and safety or details of the pensionscheme, but it can also be customised toinclude individual roles and responsibilities.

If you haven’t got a staff handbook, youcan get ideas for what it should include bybrowsing online, or by calling in aconsultant to develop one for you. A goodexercise for everyone is to note down the

jobs in practice and assess who does what.That way you can see if the best person forthe job is doing it. Some tasks may be ableto be moved, freeing up time for those whoare busy, and liberating more time to dealwith customers.

Once you know that everyone is clearabout their duties, book in scheduled timesto meet with members of staff. Take this asa chance to set targets for each person,listen to any issues that have arisen, andkeep everyone motivated. Each member ofstaff should have their own personal goals.For a receptionist this might be as simple as‘greet everyone within the first minute ofthem entering the practice’, with a longerterm goal of starting to get her firstqualification. You and the staff memberneed to have a clear record of the goals andrefer back to them at each meeting.

If a staff member seems overwhelmedor isn’t making progress, work with them tobreak a large goal down into small steps,breaking things up until it is achievable tothat person. The annual culmination toregular individual meetings may be aperformance review. If this is the case inyour practice, be clear about this from thestart, and explain how the short andmedium goals will feed into the review. Beclear about how this might relate to salaryincreases, bonuses or other staff incentives.

FOSTERING OPEN DISCUSSIONDavid Samuel of Eyesite is an independentpractice owner. He has been in practice for31 years and is passionate about goodleadership customer and delight. Heexplains about the positive things that heand his team do to ensure everyone workstogether well: “We have ‘teamship’ rules inthe business, and a section of an appraisalsystem where people score themselves ongood behaviour in this arena.

“For example, ‘I always treat my

colleagues with respect’, ‘I always helpcolleagues in need’. Staff score themselvesout of five. Their manager talks to themabout how they have scored, and how it canbe improved. It reinforces our companyethic of teamwork and working together.

“Another section of the appraisaldocument looks at working with yourmanager. It asks, ‘What could you do tohelp your manager, what could they do tohelp you?’ This creates an open discussionwithin the appraisal where people can shareconstructive criticism, and it works verywell. The teamship rules form part of ourethics and mirror the way we treatcustomers and patients so there isconsistency,” David adds.

As well as individual meetings, holdregular staff meetings. Don’t just rely ongroup sessions, however, because quietermembers of staff may hold back, and itmeans that any conflicts have to beresolved in public. Use the staff meeting towork on goals for the whole team. Considereach individual’s needs when working on atraining strategy for staff meetings.

INPRACTICEThis month Antonia Chitty examines how

good communication and HR can improveyour practice ‘teamship’

Keeping the team on track

David Samuel


Try to use each person’s strengths andask different individuals to lead trainingsessions on topics where they are strong.Topics covered don’t always have to beabout technical and clinical matters; add intraining on achieving your goals andcommunications to help staff develop allround skills.

From time to time, it can help you toreview the way different members of staffare developing and being developed, bothwithin a single practice and across thegroup as a whole if you manage more thanone practice. This can help you avoidconflict due to disparities in salary, forexample, or some people getting trainingopportunities while others don’t. It can alsohelp you identify areas where few peoplehave a particular skill, so you can plan forfurther training or recruitment as needed.

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES Problems will occasionally arise, and it canhelp to be prepared. Have you thoughtabout how to deal with the person whowon’t carry their load? Or what you mightdo with a team member who is always late,or a receptionist who lingers in the tearoom, letting others staff the desk?

Particularly if you are new tomanagement it can be good to exploresome of these scenarios and consider whatmight be appropriate actions. For a start,you may want to find out if there is areason for a change in behaviour. Is there aproblem at home that is causing lateness?Does the receptionist lack confidence orskills? Create plans for improvement,breaking actions down into baby steps

David continues: “We have a very opensystem where people can speak tomanagers or their peers. We aim that

everyone has someone to go to if they arestruggling or need to offload. I believe it is important to look at the issue not thepersonalities – try to take the personalitiesout of the question, and it can cool any heat.”

David has another suggestion to headoff personality clashes at an early stage. Headvises: “We’ve done Insight personalityprofiling for all of the team. Everyone hasshared their profile – the way that anindividual behaves on a good day, how theymight behave on a bad day. I’m a mix ofsunshiney yellow and firey red. It works wellin practice. I was being grouchy, andsomeone said to me, ‘Are you being a bit

red on purpose?’ I realised how I wasbehaving, walked out of the room, andcame back in to start the meeting again.

“The great thing about it is thateveryone has good points and bad pointsand everyone behaves differently understress. You don’t know if someone’s dog isat the vets, for example. I like to assumethat everyone is a great human being andtry to help them. If someone is behavingstrangely there are often other conflictsgoing on, and it helps if you try tounderstand that. Sharing our profiles hasbeen massive for us. It gives us all anunderstanding of the strength in a teammade up of different types of people.”

So, if you have a good system ofappraisals and meetings, and are getting tounderstand your different staff personalities,what else can you do? Positive incentivesoffered across the practice or group canhelp to reinforce good behaviour and makestaff keen to achieve goals. This could rangefrom buying the staff their favouritebiscuits or cakes at the end of each weekwhere you achieve targets, to a meal orexperience at the end of a set period wheregoals are met.

Ask the staff what incentives work forthem. If you don’t currently work to targets,it is worth exploring the pros and cons. Bynature, people like to feel that they aremaking progress – and small, clearachievable targets can help staff feel thatthey are making a difference, just as muchas it might help your bottom line.

Do you have a good system of appraisals and meetings?

Try to understand your staff members’ personalities (or colours)


As reported in the April issueof Dispensing Optics, theForesight Project is predictinglarge-scale technology-ledupheavals for the profession

and industry over the next 15 years thatwill affect not just retail optics, eyecareservices and manufacturing – but patientand consumer behaviours too.

Technologies such as in-house digitaldispensing, online self-dispensing andcheckout, self-education websites and appsall raise questions about the traditionalfunction of the dispensing optician. Indeed,changes are already afoot with moreinteractive measuring and assessmentdevices, miniaturised electronics forpatient-led refraction, mobile vision testingand telehealth – all with an eye firmly fixedon the burgeoning numbers of peoplerequiring vision correction and/ortreatment and monitoring for age-relatedeye disease.

As a forward-thinking dispensingoptician, you may have already moved into

a more digital mode of practice, and have akeen interest in developments such aswearable optical devices and ‘smart’contact lenses and eyewear. Perhaps youare working collaboratively within your

local community and learning new skills inniche areas, such as in the treatment ofminor eye conditions or optical coherencetomography (OCT).

But what of the future generations?How should trainee dispensing and contactlens opticians be preparing for a futurewhere the automation of examination anddispensing processes may well sound thedeath knell for traditional skills in eyewearand contact lens prescribing?

How should DO practice owners be‘future proofing’ their businesses to lock inexisting patients and attract not just theMillennials but the post-Millennials(Generation Z) who are digitally adept andtechnology driven? How can older, moreexperienced DOs adapt to betterunderstand the Millennial/post-Millennialmindset, and how will younger DOs developsoft skills to instil confidence in oldergenerations who are living healthier andlonger lives?

The fundamental question raised is: willthe registered dispensing optician still existby 2030?

Following last month’s overview of the findings of theForesight Project, we take a closer look at the implicationsfor dispensing opticians. Nicky Collinson reports

Will registered dispensing opticians be replaced by machines?

ANALYSIS

Opticians of the future in sight

How will DOs adapt to meet the needs of younger/future generations? (photo courtesy of Essilor/Eyezen)


EMBRACING NEW CHALLENGESBarry Duncan, ABDO head of policy anddevelopment, says: “It is clear that theForesight Project report raises someimportant questions and concerns aboutthe long-term future of dispensingopticians. However, members must notbecome disillusioned by the forecasts aboutour role in the provision of eyecare – butconsider it as another challenge, which wemust collectively tackle.

“If we go back 30 years, everyoneexpected that our profession would be‘killed off’ as a result of deregulation. Thathas most definitely not been the case. Infact, our membership at ABDO has morethan doubled since then and DOs are moresought after than ever before,” Barrycontinues.

“Over the past year, ABDO hasconsidered the future and how we mustadapt to fit into the changing landscape.Most will be aware that within ABDO, weare changing the structure of committeesand commencing with regions as of 1January 2017. In doing so, we will achievemore of a voice at local level and withsome hard work and good fortune, DOs willhopefully become more involved in eyecareservices than ever before.

“It is imperative that membersrecognise that being a professional carriesgreat responsibility. Altering the mindset tothink about everything a dispensingoptician can do within their scope ofpractice and beyond is fundamental tolongevity. Adopting a narrow, restrictiveapproach where further education anddevelopment is not seen as important willnot help the cause and prohibit progress inthe future.

“The next few years, potentially thenext three to five, will of course presentmany challenges but we are preparingourselves accordingly. Time will tell howwell we have prepared and act, but thedesire to see dispensing opticians prosper inthe years ahead is an incentive that willdrive the agenda for ABDO and its membersin the short and long-term,” Barry concludes.

FASHION AND LIFESTYLE INFLUENCESAs eyewear emerges with applications otherthan for sight correction, the ForesightProject predicts that a new portion of thepopulation, who don’t require visualcorrection, may present themselves aspotential customers of High Streetopticians.

We asked ABDO president, FionaAnderson, for her thoughts on this andother possible scenarios – such as the end

of practices carrying large stocks of physicalframes in favour of virtual dispensaries andsemi-virtual, minimalist practices offeringoptical wearable technology andcustomisable 3D printed glasses.

“On initial reading of the ForesightProject report, I must admit I did hear avoice in my head saying, ‘We’re doomed!’ inthe lamentable tones of Private Frazer ofDad’s Army. However, on closer inspection Idon’t think we are,” says Fiona.

“The Foresight Project sets out clearlywhat changes and challenges the widerworld of optics will face in the next 15years. With regard to fashion, lifestyle andpatient behaviour we will, of course, seechanges as technology becomes more thenorm in our day-to-day work. Rather thanshy away from it, we should embrace it.

“Fashion has always been a major driverin the decision making process of ourpatients,” Fiona goes on. “How many times,as diligent dispensing opticians, have webegun our dispense by discussing the latestinnovations in lenses and the merits of aparticular material or coating – only to bealmost ignored, because our patient can’twait to try on the latest designer framesjust out of reach from the dispensing tableon the rack on the wall?

“Often the patient doesn’t care verymuch about what they look like, just solong as the ‘right’ brand is being worn.Never mind if it fits them or is suitable fortheir prescription lenses.

“Technology is here now and being usedin practice. It is here to stay and willbecome more and more evident in years tocome. Already technology is used tomeasure accurately for bespoke lenses andfor trying on frames; a simple smartphonecan be used to photograph a patient in avariety of frames to help them decidewhich one they like best. The advent ofadvances in 3D printing may bring intoquestion whether we even need to stockframes in the future. As technology gallopson, we must embrace it or get left behind.

“So, how do we ‘future proof’ ourselvesand the profession? Well, I think we have tothink outside the box and if we are notalready, we DOs have to become the‘experts’ in all aspects of eyewear. We haveto differentiate ourselves from our onlinecompetitors and potentially go down theroute of ‘niche products’.

“What we can give, first hand, is expertadvice and specialist services, such aspaediatric, low vision, sports vision, andspecialist prescription sunspecs. Once weget the reputation of giving expert, relevantadvice people will not be so likely to go

elsewhere. It’s all about building uprelationships with our patients and anenvironment of trust.

“The one thing we must be mindful of is that patients have more choice todaythan ever before. Optical practices areeverywhere, online retailers are also inabundance and new technology willundoubtedly play its part. Possibly onething we have in our favour, at this point in time, is that patients can’t get a face-to-face consultation on the internetwith a DO who is skilled in all technicalaspects of dispensing their spectacles to exacting standards.

“By coming in to the practice, they getto interact with a person skilled in the artof communication who will undertake toprovide them with an optical appliance thatis fit for purpose, satisfies all their opticalneeds and will be fitted to them to ensurethey get the best from it. Just now, I doubtthey would get that online, but in thefuture – who knows?”

FUTURE OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION The Foresight Project report concludes thatthe impact of technology on opticalpractice bears considerable significance forthe education and training of dispensingopticians. DOs therefore are urged to seizeeducational and CPD opportunities incutting edge lens technologies, paediatrics,contact lenses and low vision work,including expert knowledge of digitalmobile solutions, business communicationand IT skills.

Jo Underwood, ABDO College principaland Canterbury Christ Church University

“DOs are sufficiently agile to evolve wellinto the future” – Jo Underwood


programme director, comments: “TheForesight Project indicates that thedispensing optician has less than a 30 percent chance of survival in the next 10 to 20years. Whilst I feel that our current studentnumbers indicate that employers do notbelieve this, I do agree that educators andthe General Optical Council in partnershipneed to look carefully at the syllabus andcore competencies for trainee dispensingopticians [TDOs] to ensure that we try tofuture proof their role.

“The ageing population andcorresponding rise in ocular pathologiesimplies a greater need for low vision skillsand the time required to train patients inthe use of any aids dispensed,” Jocontinues. “It is this training element thatwill set the dispensing optician apart fromany online purchases in this field. Theincrease in life expectancy will mean thatmany people will be active for longer andthe TDO will need to be able to advise onlenses specifically designed for the patient’sneeds, whether vocational or recreational.

“At the other end of the scale, theincrease in myopia will require the TDO tohave a greater understanding of the use ofcontact lens and spectacle correction formyopia control and the use of orthopticmeasures in the control of binocular visionanomalies. Refraction is already taught onthe current programmes but there needs tobe a greater time allocated for clinicalexperience via patient workshops andsimulation labs.”

Jo believes that patients will be farmore informed in the future so the TDOneeds the time and communication skills todiscuss options and preferences with thepatient, clearly explaining the pros and consof the huge range of options available.

“Again this patient-centred care will bea requirement if the patient is to remainwith the practice and not to use onlinefacilities,” Jo explains. “Within courseprogrammes the knowledge of digitaldispensing needs to be strengthened, bothin relation to dispensing tools, media and3D printing processes.”

As Jo asserts, TDOs will have a greaterrole in health promotion in the future,ensuring that the patient understandsissues that may impact on ocular health,encouraging prevention by wellbeing. “Theywill also be more involved in theinterpretation of data and in shared-carecommunity eye services with optometrists,ophthalmologists and others in the field.There will be more domiciliary work andmore specialist practices and future trainingneeds to reflect this.

“Dispensing programmes are currentlyavailable via blended and distance learningand day-release and I believe that thesemodes will increase at the expense oftraditional full time programmes,” Jo adds.“There must be a greater emphasis onlearning platforms that are accessible forTDOs in the practice environment viasmartphones and future technology.

“Dispensing is a vibrant and rewardingprofession and in my opinion will continueto be so. The Foresight Project suggests thatTDOs will need to enter the professionrealising that there will be a great need forCPD to ensure they remain abreast oftechnological and demographic changes,and I strongly concur.

“Dispensing opticians have had toevolve hugely over the years sincederegulation and are sufficiently agile to doso well into the future,” Jo concludes.

BUSINESS IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGYThe Foresight Project report contains alarge section on the business impact oftechnology on both service providers andmanufacturers. It forecasts technologyaffecting all tasks across the industry,increasing speed, efficiency and quality anddecreasing the need for hands-on labour.Technology will also streamline eyecareprovider services, broadening nicheopportunities, and bringing newstakeholders to optics, the report authorsassert. Manufacturing will become morecompetitive and more automated.

“For business, both opticians and theirsuppliers, the Foresight Report appears tosay we will get more of the same – onlyfaster,” comments Peter Black, immediatepast president of ABDO. “Despite therestrictions of the Opticians Act,competition amongst retailers andmanufacturers has been intense for manyyears and it seems it is set to get evenmore so.

“It appears likely, however, that thiscompetition will not emulate the ‘race tothe bottom’ of previous decades where thewhole basis of competition has beenpredicated on the price and promotionelement of the marketing mix. Product, placeand people will now come to the fore – madepossible by rapidly improving technology.”

While price and value are importantdrivers of eyewear purchasing behaviour,the report suggests time (speed and/orconvenience) and health are moreimportant to the majority of patients.

“The report sees independent practicesas ever-more niched and specialist withtechnology playing a major part in their

success,” notes Peter. “It is thought that in2025 there will likely be two distinct typesof independent practice thriving into thefuture: those with a strong emphasis onservices and eye health (NHS and private)embracing technology such as OCT, with anolder demographic but still reliant onproduct sales; and those that are retail andrecreation focused, and so in closercompetition with multiples, with a strongemphasis on fashion and contact lenses, butmindful of all age groups.

“Specialist dispensing for occupationaland recreational use will be an importantniche, as will low vision services with ever-increasing demand in the face of an ageingpopulation and increased prevalence ofdiabetes and age-related maculardegeneration.”

The Foresight Project report sees themultiples streamlining their approach totechnology to both compete with theindependent sector and differentiate fromthe supermarkets through an increased focuson health services and fully digital dispensing.

“Practices will likely be paperless withcloud-based patient records,” Petercontinues. “Multichannel retailing ofspectacles and contact lenses will bringtogether High Street and online options forpatients. Increasing numbers of presbyopeswill be a huge opportunity for contactlenses. Staff will need to upskill to providethe level of service and range of servicesthat will ensure multiples are able tocompete effectively.

“Supermarkets will continue to lead ondiscounts, accessibility and convenienceand are thought likely to develop laboursaving technology such as real timeappointment booking apps, in-store kiosksto take care of pre-screening and possiblyrefraction without staff involvement.”

For entrepreneurial and forward lookingdispensing opticians, “willing to take a riskand go with the flow of the future, rather

Low vision product and service provision willbecome an ever-more important niche for

DOs (photo courtesy of Associated Optical)


than trying to swim back to the past”, Peter believes there will be a great manyopportunities.

“What strikes me most about thereport, however, is that within a day or two

it was already out of date. This kind ofresearch is flawed by definition. Forcommercial reasons, companies can’t sharethe details of products they have in thepipeline. Only a couple of days after thereport was published, Moorfields EyeHospital announced to the world thedevelopment of a patient operatedinteractive binocular whole eye OCT thatcan also measure visual acuity, refractiveerror and even colour vision. In one patient-led click, this machine examines the lids,cornea, anterior segment and retina of botheyes and measures VA and refraction asaccurately as any optometrist, whilst alsotaking the PD.

“With virtual try-on of frames, no filesto store and no need for pre-screening staff,the opticians of the future might just bethe saviour of the professions. Rather than

being replaced by machines, we will be ableto work without rafts of support staff inpractices with much smaller footprints and,correspondingly, much lower overheads.

“Cross-subsidy will be unnecessary,clinical care will be better than ever and wewill be rewarded for the knowledge insideour heads rather than being undervaluedand underpaid via a currently unsustainableGOS based business model. We can’tpredict the future – but we could create it,”Peter concludes.

The full Foresight Project report can be downloaded from the ABDO website,www.abdo.org.uk. We are keen to hearmembers’ and others’ views on itsconclusions and solutions. Please email your Letters to the Editor [email protected]

Hoya’s 3D Vision Simulator, which allowspatients to ‘try before they buy’

“POTENT COCKTAIL”THREATENINGPROFESSIONThe clocks are ticking and the optometryprofession has just a couple of years toget its act together or risk being sweptaway, Doug Perkins told delegates atOptrafair last month.

During his talk, ‘The future of optics’,on the Main Stage at the trade fair inBirmingham, the co-founder of Specsaverswho has been an optometrist for almost 50years talked about the disruptive changefacing optometry today. He described thesituation as “a potent cocktail oftechnological advances, demographicchange and changes in consumer behaviourand financial pressures in the NHS”.

He focused on the opportunity foroptometry to provide full-scope primarycare throughout the UK, which would bemore accessible for patients and offer them

better continuity of care. However, hewarned that if the optical profession didnot step up to the challenges,ophthalmologists and medical groups werestanding by ready to take advantage ofcommunity eyecare. The risk, he said, wasthat they would be looked on favourably bythe medically-oriented clinicalcommissioning groups.

Doug went on to say that optometryeducation also needed to change. Clinicaldevelopment and experience needed to beupgraded and “a review of higher educationcannot come soon enough”. All optometrygraduates should be MECS (minor eyeconditions service) accredited. More Englishuniversities needed to offer post-gradsupport similar to that offered by WOPEC(the Wales Optometry PostgraduateEducation Centre), and a therapeuticsqualification should become mandatorywithin the next five years.

Doug called on the leaders of theoptical profession and all optical groups to

work together to make enhanced opticalservices their number one aspiration. Heconcluded by highlighting the GeneralOptical Council’s own evidence that it wasnot working currently, with 54 per cent ofpeople saying they would visit a GP if theyhad an eye problem and only 19 per centsaying they would visit an optician.

“If we are still in this position in twoyears’ time, we will have failed,” Doug added.

Doug Perkins

QUESTIONS,QUESTIONS… The future of optics was also discussedat Optrafair during an Optical QuestionTime session, which focused on technology.

Chaired by broadcaster Peter White,panellists included Specsavers director ofoptometry advancement Paul Morris, IPoptometrist Gillian Bruce, eye surgeonAndrew Bastawrous, Foresight Project authorand 2020health think tank chief executiveJulia Manning, and atomic physicist and

adaptive optics advocate Joshua Silver.Questions from the floor included: is

technology a threat or an asset?; whatshould I be investing in?; how do we keeppatients in primary care?; and how longbefore patients are using their smartphonesto carry out their own eye examination?

The debate was lively with panellistsdiscussing the separation of the refractionelement from the clinical element of theeye exam, and the importance of developingcommunication and interpersonal skills withpatients, who should always be kept at thecentre of new developments.

There was also a call to end theblocking of progress by those with a vestedinterest in maintaining the status quo, andfor more accountability in how NHS fundsare spent. The allocation of NHS IT fundingwas also a crucial factor in evolvingcommunity eyecare, as was the need toimprove access to the great manytreatments already available for the leadingcauses of sight loss.

The trustworthiness and reliability ofnew technologies would be an issue goingforward, but it was time to embrace changeand not stand still.


ABDO had a strong presence atOptrafair this year with arange of CET for members andnon-members alike – as wellas the chance to meet the

ABDO board and staff, and discover moreabout ABDO College.

ABDO was represented in the AssociationLounge, where board members and staffwere present every day to discuss ABDO’sstrategies with members and to listen tomembers’ views.

Katie Docker, ABDO head of membershipservices, said: “It was lovely to meet all themembers and help them with a range ofqueries. Over the course of the weekend, wedealt with queries from visitors abouteverything from membership to researchprogrammes, and it was great to be able tolink up people with the right members ofthe ABDO team to talk to.”

New ABDO president, Fiona Anderson,was also available on the stand. Speaking tome during the show, she said: “It’s beengreat to be here. I've spoken to optometristswho want to become associate members ofABDO, and people who have let theirmembership lapse and want to re-join. Onelovely lady came out of her way to saythank you, because she had attended aworkshop run by ABDO at the Eyecareconference in Glasgow on varifocal problemsolving. She said that she had learnt morein that hour than ever before. It was greatto get that feedback.”

Visitors to the fair were also able to

pick up copies of Dispensing Optics fromthe Association Lounge, and speak to staffat the ABDO College stand and find outmore about the courses on offer, includingWorshipful Company of Spectacle Makers(WCSM) courses and degree programmesrun in conjunction with Canterbury ChristChurch University.

KIDS STUFF AND LOW VISIONA full programme of CET approved ABDOlectures and workshops on low vision andpaediatric dispensing topics was availablefor pre-booking ahead of this year’s show,and were held in the specially designatedABDO CET Theatre.

During her lecture entitled ‘Kid stuff’(worth one CET point), Kim Devlinexplained how to work with parents andchildren to find a frame that keeps

everyone happy. She commented: “Mumstend to choose the frame that they wouldlike – rather than what their child prefers.Remember that as a DO, it’s up to you tochoose the fit, and the parent and child canthen choose the colour.”

Kim also made recommendations onchoosing Trivex as the gold standard forlenses for children. She advised thatpractitioners should remember the clinicalneed for tints and coatings before ticking abox on the GOS form. She had tips formotivating children to wear their specs,from improving their performance on theirfavourite video game, to having the righteyewear to help with swimming, drama,and dance, to being able to see the numberon the school bus.

She concluded: “No child wants to bedifferent, but every child wants to bespecial. To work with children and parentsyou need respect, tolerance andunderstanding.” Finally, Kim emphasised theimportance of completing safeguardingtraining as a priority for every practitioner.

On both the Saturday and Sunday, alongwith her lecture, Kim jointly ran a hands-onpaediatric workshop entitled ‘Children canbe sticky’ (worth three CET points) withABDO board member, Geri Dynan, and PaulaStevens, ABDO head of CET.

Kim discussed with delegates the issuesthat might arise when a child is cut on theface whilst wearing a frame with toggle padsin the playground. Meanwhile, Paula gaveparticipants a chance to understand more

In the first of a series of reports from Optrafair 2016, AntoniaChitty looks at ABDO’s activities at the show – held at the NECBirmingham from 9-11 April

The ABDO CET Theatre wasa hive of activity

Catching up with members inthe Association Lounge Busy on the ABDO College stand

CET and more at the NEC

OPTRAFAIR


about stereopsis as a DO. Geri used theABDO paediatric heads to help workshopmembers troubleshoot poorly fitting specsin a six-month-old child with early onsetmyopia and a child with Down’s syndrome.

BIGGER, BRIGHTER, BOLDERShould you wear distance or reading glasseswith a stand magnifier? It depends on theheight of the stand relative to the focal lengthof the lens, according to Dr David Adams inhis low vision lecture, ‘Low vision: bigger,brighter and bolder’ (worth one CET point).

Dr Adams spoke to a full lecture theatreon the Saturday and Sunday about thebasics principles behind ‘bigger, bolder,brighter’, the essential trifecta for helpinganyone with low vision.

As well as the lecture, visitors to theexhibition could stay on for a low visionworkshop on both days, ‘Big, bright andbold’ with Nick Black, Paula Stevens andGaynor Whitehouse (worth three CETpoints) where they could learn about thebasic start-up kit needed if consideringoffering low vision services in practice.There was also a station to learn aboutrelative magnification with telescopes, andone where Paula helped participants explorefont sizes and how they compare withreading test types and Snellen test types.

And on the final day, opticians could brushup their paediatric frame fitting in a skillsworkshop (worth three CET points) with

ABDO facilitators Joanne Abbott, ABDO CETco-ordinator, Barry Duncan, ABDO head ofpolicy and development, and John Hardman.

TRAINING AND CELEBRATIONSIn addition to the workshops and lecturesthat were open to all, ABDO College ran anintroductory workshop for new tutors. Withthe growing numbers of students at ABDOCollege, there is a corresponding rise in thosetraining to be tutors. This workshop wasattended by both new tutors who had hadtheir first batch students, and those whohad just completed the course.

The workshop focused on the topic ofmarking, to ensure that there is consistencyin marking across the tutor population. Itwas also a chance for new tutors to meeteach other and network with senior tutorswho were there to share expertise and offer support.

Issues surrounding the future launch ofthe first online courses via ABDO Collegewere also discussed as part of the consultationand roll-out process, led by Simon Butterfield.All tutors will have opportunity for feedbackon online courses, and the team is keen toput the right practices in place for all tutorsto be confident.

At the end of the new tutors sessionthere was a further meeting for senior tutorson monitoring and mentoring. The tutorworkshop will be an annual event at Optrafair,to make it easy for tutors to meet therequirement to attend live training everytwo years.

The 30th ABDO annual meeting (AM),and the 28th ABDO Benevolent Fund annualmeeting, also took place over the weekend.

The ABDO AM was an informal event with apresidential review of the year from PeterBlack and a financial report along with achance for members to ask questions of the board.

On the Sunday evening, more than 120members attended the ABDO gala dinner atthe Hilton Birmingham Metropole, whichmarked the occasion of the presidentialhandover, and began with a sparkling drinksreception.

ABDO head of professional services andinternational development, Elaine Grisdale,welcomed guests and Peter Black gave hisfinal speech as ABDO president, askingdelegates to raise their hands in the air,symbolising how he wanted the professionto stretch a little bit higher, and go a littlebit further.

Peter shared a moving case study of ateenage girl with cerebral palsy who sat upstraight for the first time, having beenprescribed her first pair of specs, her -14.00DSprescription allowing her to see the worldaround her. Fiona Anderson then handedthe vice presidential chain of office to CliveMarchant, after which Peter passed on thepresidential chain to Fiona.

There was also the chance to reward keycontributors to optics. Former ABDOpresident, Kevin Milsom, was given LifeMembership, while ABDO chief financeofficer Mr Pavanakumar was made anHonorary Fellow. Paula Stevens was made aLife Member, as was the past chair of theABDO College board of trustees, HuntlyTaylor. Gil Smith was awarded the HamblinMemorial Prize for his outstanding work inthe field of low vision over many years.

Fiona Anderson receives theABDO president’s chain of office

ABDO CFO, Pavan, receives Honorary Fellowship Life Membership for Paula Stevens

Gil Smith receives the Hamblin Memorial Prize Life Membership for Kevin Milsom Huntly Taylor receives Life Membership

Optrafair 2016 marked the

end of my three years as

president of ABDO and

aside from preparing

speeches for our annual

meeting and later the awards dinner, I had

plenty of time to take in the exhibition.

Compared to other shows, Optrafairseemed to have a much greater presence ofspectacle and contact lens suppliers –including one or two new ones fromoverseas – and as usual it was the place tobe if you were looking for ophthalmicequipment of any description. I foundmyself discussing which company will bethe first to have an OCT in every practice;already around one in five UK practiceshave one (apparently) and business at theshow certainly appeared to be brisk.

There was also a big frame presence – alarge fashion quarter with some new namesand a lot of new ranges and models. I didhave one rather amusing moment on theWolf Eyewear stand when I realised that ofthe 20 or so opticians browsing theirframes, three of us were wearing the sameone. Having been nagged by colleagues fordecades to get a plastic frame and alwaysfound everything I’ve tried uncomfortable, Ihave finally found satisfaction in the Wolf4029 C37 60x18x150, which seems to have

filled a serious gap in the market.My brief, however, was not to look at

the ‘sexy’ stuff but to look out forinteresting gadgets and gizmos that willmake the life of the dispensing optician orlab technician a little easier.

ESSENTIAL WORKSHOP KITI started my quest at the Centrostyle stand,where I encountered a dizzying array oftools, lab and sight testing equipment plusa great range of paediatric frames. As wellas high quality colour coded tool kits andvarifocal marking finders, a range of lightmeters caught my eye.

In the days of gross negligence

manslaughter, it is really important to beassured that the transmission of anysunglasses dispensed to a patient fordriving are actually within the legal visiblelight transmission limit. Similarly, we needto ensure UV protection is also as it shouldbe – so a light meter should be standardworkshop kit.

New for the show was the B&S digitallens transmittance meter from DibbleOptical, which provides the added benefitof IR transmittance measurement as well asUV and visible light. It is suitable for use inthe lab or dispensing area, where it can beused to demonstrate the protectiveproperties of lenses to the customer.


What gizmos and gadgets caught the eyeof roving reporter, Peter Black, at Optrafairthis year?

OPTRAFAIR

Peter Black (centre), DO Geraint Allport and Keeler’s Roy Stoner each finally find a comfortable plastic frame after years of searching

Hilco’s spring hinge toolkit (similarproducts are also available from

Centrostyle and Dibble)

A light meter, such as this fromCentrostyle, should be should

be standard workshop kit

Whatever your background, Optrafair has something to offer

Gizmos and gadgets galore


At one time my best customer used tobe the owner of a local fish and chip shop.One day she came in to order a pair ofjewelled Silhouette rimless frames she hadbeen considering for some time, but I wasdoing a repair and kept her waiting for solong she had to leave. The next time Ifancied fish and chips, I discovered she was wearing a nice new Jaeger pair she had purchased elsewhere. I had lost a saleand could have lost a customer altogetherjust because it took me half an hour toreplace a screw in a spring hinge foranother customer.

Centrostyle, Hilco and Dibble Optical allhave gadgets that could have turned this30-minute chore into a 30-second job. Eachwould have paid for itself right then andthere by preventing the loss of a single sale,and time and again in terms of improvedcustomer service. All the spring hinge toolswork in a similar way: a pronged leverallows you to pull out the hinge while aspecial pair of locking forceps keeps thecharnier in position while the screw isinserted in the hinge – easy. It really is amust-have gadget for every repair area.

DON’T HAVE A SCREW LOOSEAnother way to make spring hinge screwreplacement easy is to ensure you have theright screws. Using a Hilco Fast-Find Lens

Hole Gauge takes away the trial and errorapproach to finding the right size sidescrew, as well as being used for measuringthe correct plug size for rimless repairs.

A new kid on the block for solving thespring hinge problems is the Snap-It rangeof screws newly available from Bondeye.Invented by an American estate agentfrustrated by the difficulty of fixing hermother’s glasses, they offer a variety ofscrew diameters and lengths – each ofwhich comes with a long thin tip that seeksout the smallest gap to make insertioneasy. Afterwards, the tip can be snapped offby hand without the need for tools. Thereis even a consumer version of these screwswith ‘universal’ oversized heads sold tocustomers as a repair kit.

Hilco has offered a specialist range ofspring hinge Thread-Seeker screws for aslong as I can remember. Along with the Tap-n-Snap range, being able to snap screws tothe right length cuts down on the numberof sizes you require.

My only criticism is colleagues oftenuse inappropriate tools such as nut driversto snap the screw to length, which quicklybreaks your nut drivers, or they ruin yourrimless plug snips when trying (alwaysunsuccessfully) to cut them to length.Round snipe pliers can slip when snappingthese screws so my recommendation is aB&S 3mm flat snipe plier available fromDibble Optical. And if your nut drivers havebeen ruined, or your set is incomplete, whynot invest in a Universal Nut Driver fromHilco – one tool does the job of six and fitsany size of star or hex nut in current use.

In addition to lenses, frames and labmachinery, Norville had a great range ofdispensing and repair tools on offer, manyof which were new for Optrafair. Digitallens thickness callipers and a low costdigital lens measure that can be set for anyrefractive index caught my eye.

Norville has also sought to address the

fact that many dispensing opticians nowhave trouble adjusting thick sides or toughside materials. A new gadget has beendeveloped to enable easier straightening ofsides and re-bending to an easily measuredlength of drop. Sometimes we all feel theneed for some extra strength to loosen ortighten tough screws; Norville has come upwith a novel range of plastic handles thattake standard screwdriver, nut driver andscrew remover blades.

TIME WELL SPENTIn ABDO and Optical Confederation circles,we often discuss the attraction oftradeshows to dispensing opticians andoptometrists from across the sector. It isoften said, for example, that registrantswho work for multiples have no controlover the frames or lenses they dispense andaren’t likely to be interested in the CETbecause their companies provide it.

Whatever your background or mode ofpractice, Optrafair has something to offer:the chance to meet up with formercolleagues and classmates, a wide selectionof CET of your choice, and a preview ofwhat’s coming next in terms of fashion andtechnology. One thing all businesses cansurely agree on is that investing in anythingthat saves time or money, or leads toimproved customer satisfaction, has got tobe a good thing.

Call me sad – but to me, innovativerepair parts and ingenious tools are everybit as interesting as I imagine the latestscanning OCT technology is to the averageoptometrist. Labour-saving devices aresomething every practice should invest in,and is a good reason why all dispensingopticians should take a trip to Optrafaireach year.

Snap-It screws – another way to makespring hinges less time consuming –available from Bondeye

Give me strength: a side adjusting gadgetand new screwdriver handle from Norville

Convert a regular or fixed pad bridge toadjustable pad on arms easily with

Hilco’s Pad Arm Coversion kit


With 100% Opticaltaking place just twomonths prior to thisyear’s Optrafair, therewas undoubtedly

some cross-over in the products shown.However, there is always something newto get the pupils dilating if you knowwhere to look. The show felt smaller thanin years gone by, but there were rewardsfor those who ventured forth to thehallowed halls of the NEC Birmingham.

DIGITAL LENS INNOVATIONSDigital dispensing technology has come a long way in recent years, and this wasvery much in evidence on the lensmanufacturers’ stands.

There was interest in Essilor’s Nautilusheadset, a dispensing aid that enables thepatient to virtually try on different lensesand coatings whilst taking into account thepatient’s PD and prescription.

Shamir’s Spark Mi measuring device,which featured on last month’s front cover,also had its first show outing. It looks like a

mirror but is a camera and advancedmeasuring device in one, which interfacesdirectly with the practice computer.

Hoya debuted its Vision Simulator,which provides a 3D vision experience ofdifferent lens types and treatments via asmartphone app placed on the headset.Wearers look through the headset and see a virtual environment, while the opticianapplies the wearing parameters and exactprescription and adjusts for accurate pupildistance. A tablet acts as a remote controland the optician controls what the patientsees and experiences, whilst explaining thedifferent options.

The simulator is the result of a newpartnership with 3D printing company,Materialise, which will also see theintroduction of the EyeGenius – describedas a “complete vision examination system”with a new method to detect and correctfixation disparity.

New technology in the lenses themselveswere also showcased. Essilor was promotingEyezen, which it describes as a new categoryof lenses. An alternative to single vision,Eyezen lenses are designed to provide theoptimal solution for digital device usersand, in particular, for Generation Y (peopleaged between 18 and 34).

Transitions discussed its new campaignfeaturing Canadian actress, LaurenceLeboeuf, which aims to reach a new rangeof consumers and encourage opticians torecommend Transitions lenses, in particularGraphite Green, to a wider range of wearers,i.e. younger wearers who only require singlevision lenses.

Green was also the colour de jour onthe Hoya stand as the company highlightedits new Sensity Green light reactive lenses,currently being promoted via a new Shadesof Life campaign showing how Sensitylenses react to different light conditions.

New developments in sports lenses werealso showcased, including Lenstec’s newprotective goggle range from VerSport forchildren and adults, and Hoya’s Sportive highcurved sports lenses and special sphere tints.Available in Nulux Sportive (single vision)and Hoyalux Sportive (progressive) designs,the lenses come in a variety of contrastenhancing tints and Hoya’s mirror coatings.

Seiko Optical introduced its Xchanger3D printed lenses, produced in conjunctionwith the aforementioned Materialise.Winner of the 2015 Silmo d’Or award forexcellence in optical innovation in the sportequipment category, Xchanger lenses onlyrequire a five-piece fitting set and feature

Eyewear fashion and digital technologywere in abundance at Optrafair 2016,writes Nicky Collinson

The iconic William Morris London double decker bus

Having a go on Essilor’s Nautilus headset

Technology in fashion

OPTRAFAIR


an anti-fog ventilation system, an integratedlens-change mechanism, and high-curvaturelenses for wider viewing angles.

There were celebrations for the ZeissVision Care Business Group, when it wonLens Product of the Year at the OpticianAwards for its DriveSafe Lenses. New ZeissDriveSafe Individual lenses respond to thevisual challenges faced by drivers. Bothcustomised and standard versions reduceperceived glare by up to 64 per cent. ZeissDigital Individual Lenses provide acustomised lens solution for spectaclewearers who use digital devices.

Both lenses incorporate the company’snew FaceFit Technology, which takes intoaccount the patient’s physiological facialanatomy, their unique position of wearparameters, personal ‘as worn’ frame andlens data within the lens design.

Visitors to the show could pick up acopy of Norville’s sixth edition Digital LensDirectory detailing a wide range of freeformprogressives, bifocal, single vision andspecialist HD lenses, such as up and downprogressives or split bifocal and progressivecombinations for users such as airlinepilots, control technicians and surgeons.

NEWCOMERS AND ALLCOMERSFrames are always a big draw at trade fairsand there were plenty of new styles onshow – not just from the established industrynames but from newcomers too.

Independent Belgian eyewear companyNetoptic (www.kinto.be) revealed its Kinto,

Malt and Akarti frame collections in theFashion Quarter. Some 300 manufacturingstages go into each pair of frames, withprocesses honed over 40 years since theestablishment of the company in 1978.New to the UK, the collections focus onproviding comfort and adaptability.

Also new to the show was the Morriz of Sweden collection

(www.morrizofsweden.com), distributed byGlasgow-based One Optical. The Swedishbrand was started in 2005 by designerJonas Karlsson, whose vision was to createbeautiful, comfortable and ultralighteyewear. The classic styles, with templesmade of ultem, also come at a competitiveprice point for the optician.

Emporium Eyewear has extended itsophthalmic frame portfolio for Mango withthe release of a new acetate frame, modelMNG530, displayed at the show. The fullrimmed handmade acetate is available in three vibrant marble colours that reflect

the unique styling of the Mango fashionbrand. “The acetate is incredibly lightweightand has been hand-polished to achieve the perfect finish,” said Emporium’s Malcolm Cooperman.

Centrostyle showed its ranges for babiesand young children, including the ActiveSpring range which contains long, patentedwraparound temples to keep the framecontoured to the child’s head, resulting instability, improved adherence and acomfortable fit. The company also showedits new silicone retainer band, which comesin two sizes and five colours.

Continental Eyewear had new releaseson display from its Jaeger collection, includingthe 2016 sunglass range, and more than 30new styles made their debut on the stand,which once again offered visitors fun withthe Wheel Deal competition to win prizes.

Dunelm Optical launched its new Ascaricollection, billed as an accessible, affordablebrand for stylish adults, which complementsits new OMG teen-specific range. The newPaul Costelloe His N Hers Aluminiumcollection, featuring a special screwlessjoint, was also introduced.

Peter Beaumont, director of Dunelm, said:“We are one of the only companies in theworld with the specialised technology to makealuminium eyewear. Whilst extremely strongand durable, aluminium is an exceptionallylightweight, non-allergenic material. It is solight that it allows for a thicker frame design,whilst still remaining ultra-lightweight andcomfortable for the wearer.”

A Kinto frame from Belgium designers, Netoptic Centrostyle’s new silicone retainer band

The new Paul Costelloe His N HersAluminium collection from Dunelm

Viking styling by Morriz of Sweden

New Mango model MNG530 from Emporium Eyewear


DESIGN ACCOLADES AND ACCENTS Eyespace had cause to celebrate when itsCocoa Mint CMS 2000 sunglass style,featured on this month’s front cover, wonFrame of the Year at the Optician Awards.The company showcased more than 100new styles, including a new Jensen Blacksub-range for men. The 13 ophthalmicmodels feature premium memory metal,titanium and carbon fibre elements.

Norville Eyewear had more than 50 newreleases on display from its great Britishbrands Barbour, Barbour International, Duck& Cover and Cecil Gee, as well as Swiss brandInvu, its ultimate polarisation sunspec range.

As well as showcasing its shop-in-shopmodular display concept, Silhouettedisplayed its Neubau collection, which waslaunched at 100% Optical, and TMA Pulse –a reincarnation of the TMA to celebrate 10million wearers. The new Titan Accent FloraEdition featuring floral patterns on thetemples in six lens shapes and colours wasalso highlighted.

Old school Hollywood glamour could befound on the Brulimar stand as the companyintroduced its new collections inspired byMarilyn Monroe and James Dean. In homageto the star’s birth year, 1926, only 926 pieceswill ever be created in the Marilyn limited

edition sunglasses collection – and allprofits will be donated to the orphanagewhere Marilyn lived as a child.

With its big red London bus now afixture on the optical trade fair circuit,William Morris London had exciting newsfor visitors, as it announced its partnershipwith the government-led Great Britaincampaign. Launched in 2012 on the back ofthe Diamond Jubilee and London Olympicsand Paralympics, the campaign provides asingle brand to bring together consistentand cost-effective communications from arange of partners. These include No10Downing Street, Visit Britain and nowWilliam Morris London. “We are proud to bean ambassador for a campaign that ringstrue to our own brand values,” said NickBoys, sales director.

The company also introduced its newhigh gloss acetate ladies styles in a paletteof summer washed colours, Young Wills, itsnew Black Label premium collection formen, a new classic aviator in its s/s 2016sun collection, and the latest Charles StoneNew York high-end acetates.

Sports and drivers’ performance eyewearwas to the fore on the Bushnell PerformanceOptics stand, with new releases fromSerengeti, Bollé and Cébé. The new flagshipmodel of the Bollé cycling collection is theultralight 5th Element with Trivex lenses,which maximises the field of view in a racingposition and offers an optimised fit thanksto B-Shape technology and adjustable nosepads and temples. The new Bollé One helmetwith a sunglasses garage can save secondsduring a triathlon crossover.

Adidas Eyewear launched three newgoggles into the world of snowboarding for2016/17. The Progressor-S, Progressor-Cand Backland goggles sit alongside the ID2

Pro and ID2 in the range and there is alsothe option of a Progressor Pro Pack. As showvisitors discovered, there is the option tomix and match any pair of goggles with aset of glasses.

The Progressor frame will fit either aspherical (S) or cylindrical (C) lenspod,which makes it easy to switch lenses whileout on the slopes. Optrafair visitors alsoenjoyed a first glimpse of the Adidas Zonyk,a multi-sport style ideal for cycling due tolaunch in September.

There was plenty more besides for thevisiting DO or CLO: Bausch + Lomb offeredtrial fittings of its Ultra contact lenses withMoistureSeal technology, which will belaunched in the UK later this year;Heidelberg had the full gamut of OCTtechnology on display with its SpectralisConnect Investment Club offering costsavings on the Spectralis Imaging Platform;while the latest in practice managementsystems was demonstrated by the likes ofOptinet, Ocuco, Optix and Orasis.

With several companies already havingsigned up for Optrafair 2017, from 1-3 April,the show will undoubtedly continue to be afirm fixture in the optical calendar – whateverhappens in the wider world of optics.

Silhouette’s new TitanAccent Flora Edition

Eyespace unveiled its new Jensen Blacksub-range for men

Bollé’s new One helmet and 5th Element sunglasses

The Adidas Progressor Pro Pack

My long and enjoyable optical careerstarted in 1965 in the workshop of mygood friend, Bryan Allport, who was anophthalmic optician in business with hisfather. I originally met Bryan through

our common interest in scouting – and when I told him Iwas looking for a new job, he kindly offered me aposition in his workshop. This move into the fascinatingworld of optics soon led to me completing the ADOdistance learning course.

Now into his 70s, Bryan is still working – probably ashard as ever. He has a small group of practices in NorthWales, an area he has worked in all his life. I wrote anarticle about Bryan for Dispensing Optics some years ago,and so I felt that readers might be interested in hearingabout the next generation of the Allport clan…

ALL UP IN THE AIRGeraint Allport, Bryan’s son, has just qualified as a dispensingoptician at the age of 53. He was the oldest student on theBradford College day release by a fair margin, but that certainlydidn’t hold him back from his ambitions.

Geraint has flirted with optics almost all of his workinglife. After he left school he joined the RAF, and continued toserve until he was 24. Flying has always been one of hisgreat loves, and he went on to achieve his private pilot’slicence during a later respite from optics.

On leaving the RAF, Geraint went to work in an opticalworkshop doing the glazing for Miller and Santhouse (a namesome of you may remember) in St Helens. He then decidedto pursue a career in Civil Engineering and began a four-year MSc course at Manchester University. At the end ofthe first year, however, he decided that it wasn’t for himand transferred to Computing and Information Studies. Hespent a year studying computing, at the end of which herealised that it too was not for him. So it was back to optics.

Geraint worked as a dispensing optician with a smalllocal group for about a year, finally joining his Dad for a fewyears before gaining a place on the Optometry Course atUMIST in 1996. As they were funding the course themselves,and the VAT crisis was at its height, he had to give it upafter a year.

In 1998, Geraint decided to try the Anglia DistanceLearning Course in Dispensing, but as they had fivepractices at that time, he just couldn’t dedicate the timeneeded. He finally ended up on the day release course atBradford; knowing that the qualification was needed somuch in his work life, he completed the course andgraduated in summer 2015.

Geraint tells me that he feels he is a much betteroptician for completing the course and qualifying. And toreally keep it all in the family, his wife Jo has just one moreyear to go at Bradford as well. Geraint has a very avidinterest in dyslexia and Irlen Syndrome and hopes to go onto do research into both subjects. He loves learning andintends to complete the fast-track Optometry Course atBradford University, which may be useful when his fatherfinally hangs up his ophthalmoscope.

SECURING A FUTUREHaving talked at length with Geraint, gleaning all of hishistory and thoughts about optics, there is little doubt thatthis small family company in optics is still fit and healthy inthe 21st century. However, there are many people in ourprofession who have long considered that the days of thesmall family firm are numbered.

There is no doubt that the largest of the multiples aregobbling up the older traditional family firms. The likes ofBatemans, Rayners, Conlons and many others have alldisappeared over the last 20 years or so. But walk down any High Street and you will always see at least one small family practice – somewhere to give the public the option of not using a larger, optical ‘supermarket’ type practice.

When talking to friends away from our practice area,they are often appreciative of the more personal attentionthey get from an independent, and are aware of more timebeing spent discussing their visual problems and the bestway of resolving their needs. It seems to me that smallfamily practices have a secure future – providing they arewilling to move with the times.

Unfortunately, one does see the occasional ostrich – apractice that has curtains at the windows, minimal framedisplays inside and a distinct lack of modern equipment inthe consulting room. They are the small family practicesthat give the rest of us a bad name; they are the practicesthat will be forced to close down through a lack of businesscaused by competition from the multiples. It is such ashame that they cannot see that times have moved on andwith it, the style of the optical practice business.

It is heartening to see the likes of the Allport group stillaround – fit and healthy and assuring Geraint and the restof the family a secure future.

COLIN LEE FBDO was ABDO president from 1996 to1998, and principal of a small family group in the WestMidlands. Now retired, he is “still sailing and trying toplay golf”.

Like father, like son

JOTTINGSColin Lee updates us on the Allport clanand ponders what the future holds forsmall family firms


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Jobs & notices


ABDOConsultation Daywith the Areas

10 May 2016To be held at the offices of The Medical Society of London,Lettsom House, 11 ChandosStreet, London W1G 9EB

All ABDO members welcome to attend

To book your place, please email Jane Burnand at [email protected]

‘THROUGH THE‘THROUGH THE

PINHOLE’ SERIESPINHOLE’ SERIES

PARTICIPANTS WANTED

DOES YOUR PRACTICE OFFER SPECIALIST SERVICES IN,

FOR EXAMPLE, DRY EYE, PAEDIATRICS, SPORTS VISION,

LOW VISION AND/OR OTHER NICHE AREAS?

We’re looking for member practices to feature

in our ‘Through the pinhole’ series

showcasing the fantastic work that ABDO

members are involved with above and beyond ‘the

everyday job’ of dispensing

Email [email protected] register your interest in taking part

CASE STUDIES WANTEDDo you have great links with local charities and sight care organisations?Have you developed a resource directory in your practice to help peoplediagnosed with sight loss? We are seeking a case study in this sector, so ifthis sounds like you please email [email protected] by 8 May.

To place an advert, telephone 0781 273 4717or email [email protected]

Booking deadline for the June issueis Thursday 12 May

Special rate for ABDO members

REQUIRE AN ENTHUSIASTIC CONTACT LENSOPTICIAN AND/OR OPTOMETRISTEmployed or Self Employed Considered

Optometrist must have an interest and experiencein contact lens fitting

Please contact Clive [email protected] 01922 454151

FOR STAFFORDSHIRE/WEST MIDLANDS

DISPENSING OPTICIANWALSALL, WS6 6DY

SALARY IS BETWEEN £20,000 TO £25,000 DEPENDING ON EXPERIENCE

Please contact: [email protected] apply for the position.

Kelcher Optometrists is a forward thinking family ownedindependent practice, looking to employ an enthusiastic,dedicated caring DO with excellent communication andcustomer service skills. The ideal candidate will be required to work on their owninitiative as well as part of our supportive and motivatedoptical team. An understanding of the independent ethos,clinically minded and commercially aware.Full time hours – 4 week days plus Saturday morning. 20 days’ holiday plus banks. Job share may be possible ifpart time hours required.

NEWLY QUALIFIED/SOON TO QUALIFY/QUALIFIED

DO REQUIRED

Please write to: MJ Bhojani BSc(Hons) MCOptom MBA

VISUAL ANSWERS OPTOMETRISTS22 High St Quorn Loughborough LE12 8DT

Or email: [email protected] with CV and covering letter.

We require a DO (Qualified/Soon to Qualify) withexcellent product knowledge & communication skillsto work within our 2 independent branches nearLoughborough. Our practices have invested in OCTand Optomap technology and currently use Essilor asour preferred lens partner. We put an emphasis onexcellent customer care and dispensing with an eyefor style & fashion.We are looking for a well-presented DO with excellentcommunication skills and who also enjoys the challengeof being involved with managing and a potential interestin buying, display and merchandising. (Soon to qualifyDO also may be considered.)

LOUGHBOROUGH

abdoCOLLEGE

• An extensive range of courses to suit your individual needs• Dedicated and experienced academic staff• Friendly and supportive learning environment • Consistently high theory and practical examination results• Helpful course tutors• Vibrant and positive attitude towards students• Committed to the furtherance of dispensing optics• Established by the profession for the profession• A proven track record of success

Option 1

A two-year Foundation Degree course followed by a third year BSc Degree course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to BSc (Hons) and the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualifications.

Option 2

A three-year diploma course in OphthalmicDispensing – leading to the ABDO Level 6FBDO qualification.

Foundation Degree /BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing (Year 1)Fellowship Dispensing Diploma (Year 1)

Course features

• Combines academic and work-based learning• 32 weekly distance learning units in each academic year• Four weeks block release at Godmersham in each academic year• Access to supplementary web-based interactive tutorial presentations• Block release accommodation can be provided• Year 1 courses will commence in September 2016

Entry requirements

• Grade C or above GCSE in English, mathematics, science and two other subjects, including evidence of recent learning• Applicants must be working in practice as a trainee dispensing optician for a minimum of 30 hours per week and have the support of their employer

For further information and application formsfor these and other courses, or to request a copy of the ABDO College Prospectus, please contact the ABDO College Courses Teamon 01227 738 829 (Option 1) or email [email protected]

ABDO College Operational Services, Godmersham Park, Godmersham, Canterbury, Kent CT4 7DT

www.abdocollege.org.uk

ABDO College offers a choice of two distance learning courses on the route to becoming a qualified dispensing optician:

ABDO College provides comprehensive education for dispensing opticians and iscurrently accepting applications for a rangeof different courses. Some of the reasonswhy you should make ABDO College yourfirst choice to either start or further your career in optics are:

Let us further your career

KEEPING EXCELLENCE IN YOUR SIGHTS

To find out more visit:www.visionaidoverseas.org/volunteering Or call us on 01293 535 016

Want to make a difference?Volunteer withVision Aid Overseas

If you are an Optometrist, Dispensing Optician or Optical Technician,

your skills could help to transform lives in Africa.

Two-week assignments in:

Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, Sierra Leone and Zambia

a4 - 9 column · frame: bk026 c2 fantastic children’s range for more information view online:...

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