ABDO move would help collaboration

Writing in ABDO's bi-monthly magazine Dispensing Optics (December/January), Alan Parkhurst said that although his group, the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians would retain their own identities there would be areas where they could collaborate and become more effective in promoting optics. The optical bodies involved announced the move to Gloucester Terrace, Paddington, London at the end of the summer (News, September 8), with the intention of moving in January. However, optician understands that the move will be delayed. ABDO's new college in Godmersham, Kent will receive its first students in January, Mr Parkhurst stated, and the start of an academic establishment will mean that the body will split in two. 'ABDO will continue to be a membership service organisation, with its council responsible for the running of it,' said Mr Parkhurst. 'It will also be responsible for the running of the examinations and CET.' ABDO's Education Trust will be responsible for the administration of the Godmersham college, distance learning and block release training. 'This means that the training and examining functions will be operated by two separate bodies,' Mr Parkhurst said. Ciba Vision has introduced what it claims to be the first daily disposable contact lens for presbyopia. The launch of its Focus Dailies Progressives in Italy will be followed by a UK launch in 2001. Ciba believes the new lens is a 'vital step' in the market, bringing daily disposable convenience to the largest group of people requiring vision correction. 'Used in combination with spectacles, Focus Dailies Progressives present practitioners with the biggest opportunity to grow their practice,' said David Johnson, business manager - daily disposables, Ciba Vision UK.