College defends stance on higher qualifications

No decision has yet been made on the future of the College of Optometrists' diplomas although its strategy is to partner with universities and other organisations to deliver higher qualifications for optometrists wishing to specialise.

At the College's annual general meeting in York this week, past president Dr Michael Wolffe questioned why there would no longer be a higher qualification in low vision at a time when the UK Vision Strategy had identified provision of services for people with sight loss as a priority.

In January it emerged that College diplomas dedicated to contact lens practice, orthoptics and rehabilitation of visual impairment would disappear to be replaced by broader modular qualifications from other providers (News, 15.01.10).