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Surrey Police took to social media site Twitter earlier this week in a quest to try to find a pair of lucky Oakley sunglasses belonging to Team GB women's Olympic road race silver medallist Lizzie Armitstead. The sunglasses were lost during the race, which took place in torrential rain around south-west London and Surrey. Oakley issued a response, also via Twitter: 'We know some people that'll get you a new pair,' said the manufacturer.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has unanimously recommended approval of the Roche group's Lucentis drug for treatment of diabetic macular edema (DME). The FDA's Dermatologic and Ophthalmic Drugs Advisory Committee voted 10-0 to recommend approval of a 0.3mg dose of Lucentis and 8-2 for a 0.5mg dose. The FDA is expected to make a decision regarding the supplemental Biologic License Application for Lucentis in DME by August 10.

Two practitioners guilty of fraud have had their sentencing date rescheduled. Dispensing optician Iqbal Nabi, of Hastings practice New Global Vision, was found guilty of two counts of fraud after an eight-day trial at Hove Crown Court last month (News 06.07.12). Helen James, an ophthalmic medical practitioner, entered a guilty plea before the trial. Nabi and James are now scheduled to appear at Lewes Crown Court on August 28.

Chartered accountancy firm AEL Partners has issued a warning to optical practices to make sure their VAT methods are both up to date and up to scrutiny. The company said VAT investigations increased to 42 per cent during 2011 and raised £1.34bn for HM Revenue and Customs. The company added that the figure was three times higher than the previous year and showed that HMRC was making a concerted effort to focus on VAT underpayments in an attempt to raise money.