ABDO in the mood for change

ABDO may have ended its conference weekend as ABDO after voting against a name change, but general secretary Sir Tony Garrett is optimistic about its future and the prospect of refracting DOs. Alison Ewbank reports

2011 was a busy year for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. Marking its 25th anniversary and 10 years of ABDO College, the first BSc (Hons) graduates in optical dispensing studies and the first honours degrees in ophthalmic dispensing through Canterbury Christ Church University, it was a year for celebrating.

Aside from the ceremonials, ABDO has made progress in representing its members' interests, notably the reduction in retention fees for low income earners. It has also embarked on a review of its Articles of Association, receiving the go-ahead for a radical overhaul at its AGM in Stratford-upon-Avon last month (News 05.10.12).