January
The first month of 2024 saw Optician take a deep dive into a survey by motoring body the RAC on the effects of headlight glare on drivers.
The majority of the 2,000 drivers responding to the survey (68%) estimated it took them between one and five seconds to see clearly again after being dazzled by other drivers’ lights. The RAC noted 11% said it took six seconds or more, which was enough for a driver travelling at 60mph to cover 160 metres.
RAC spokesperson Rod Dennis said brighter LED headlights ‘appeared to come at a cost for those on the receiving end of excessively bright lights’.
- In case you missed it (ICYMI): Munich-based tradeshow Opti’s 2024 edition saw visitor numbers rise by 6,000 over the previous year, moving it closer to pre-pandemic levels of attendance.
February
The Labour Party, then in opposition, announced plans to use high street optometry practices to deliver routine ophthalmology appointments.
At an Institute for Government conference on January 23, Labour shadow health minister Karin Smyth said high street optical practices would be ‘put to work’ by a Labour government to bring down the 617,000 people waiting for NHS ophthalmology appointments at the time.
The move was widely welcomed by the College of Optometrists, the Association of Optometrists and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians.
Professor Leon Davies, then-president at the College of Optometrists, noted that enhanced national services ‘would reduce the burden on current NHS hospital services and result in better outcomes for patients’.
- ICYMI: Optician’s clinical editor of Optometry, Manbir Nagra, issued a warning against following a ‘hack’ on social media platform TikTok that involved putting Vaseline in the eyes.
March
World Glaucoma Week (WGW) was held March 10-16 and saw efforts across the globe to raise awareness with a ‘Uniting for a glaucoma-free world’ campaign.
The World Glaucoma Association, which organised the campaign, called on countries across the globe to ‘think global, act local’ and spread the word about WGW and the importance of regular eye exams.
From Mexico and South Africa to Finland and Australia, 64 countries took heed and submitted more than 600 activities signalling their support. In the UK, Specsavers partnered with the National Gallery to simulate the varying stages of glaucoma in five iconic paintings including works by Botticelli and Caravaggio.
- ICYMI: The curtain came down on nearly 40 years of Vision Expo East in New York City. The final event was held March 14-17 with the 2025 edition to be held in Orlando, Florida.
April
Hopes of a meaningful increase in the fee for general ophthalmic services (GOS) in England were dashed, once again, for another year. Representative professional bodies did not hold back when expressing their outrage at the 39p increase, which fell considerably short of the 2.86% increase proposed by the Optometric Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC).
Paul Carroll, chair of the OFNC, said the ‘derisory’ increase showed that ‘talk is cheap’ after politicians had praised the important role primary eye care played in meeting the nation’s eye health needs.
‘It is hard to take seriously warm statements made by ministers when they are not backed up by action,’ he said.
- ICYMI: A government investigation into headlight glare was announced following a petition that garnered more than 13,000 signatures.
May
A survey carried out by Optician revealed more than a third (35.6%) of practitioners had seen more than 10 patients in the past year whose vision was not fit for driving, and 59% of respondents were aware of patients driving against advice from an optometrist.
When asked if they thought current vision standards for driving were sufficient, 40% believed they were, with 60% saying they were insufficient.
When asked if they agreed that senior drivers should revalidate their fitness to drive, respondent support was overwhelming. Strongly agreed accounted for 41% responses, with an additional 48% saying they agreed. Just 12% were in disagreement, split equally between disagree and strongly disagree.
- ICYMI: King Charles III became the new patron of the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
June
After the announcement in May of a general election, the profession said it needed to seize the moment. The College of Optometrists, the Association of Optometrists, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and the Federation of Optometrists and Dispensing
Opticians were unified in their message for recognition of the skills of eye care professionals and the need for improved IT connectivity. The bodies said it was an opportunity for the next government to end the longstanding eye care crisis by fully utilising the optometry workforce.
- ICYMI: More than a third of Brits were forced to abandon sight tests due to financial pressures of the cost of living crisis.
July
The Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) 2024 report revealed a sharp 133% rise in domiciliary eye care complaints. The most prevalent issues included product supply delays or non-supply; overselling to patients, especially given the vulnerable nature of the patient base, as well as a slight increase in prescription error complaints.
Overall, the OCCS report found 1,675 enquiries were reported that fell into the remit of the OCCS, with an effective resolution rate of 85%, which was said to be boosted by a close working relationship with the GOC. It has aimed to ‘improve accessibility to vulnerable service users, including neurodiverse consumers and practitioners’.
- ICYMI: Essilor celebrated its 50th anniversary of optical lens manufacturing at its Thornbury production facility with an American-themed party.
August
The GOC’s 2024 Public Perceptions research laid bare concerns around patient inequalities and reluctance to visit optical practices from 2,035 respondents. Satisfaction with eye care services remained high overall (92%); however, ethnic minority or disabled patients were less satisfied, at 84% compared to 91% and 82% vs 89%, respectively, while ‘vulnerable patients experienced significantly worse outcomes’.
Also, only 33% would go to an optical practice over a GP or hospital, which was said to be fuelled by costs of vision correction, the unlikeliness of getting a same-day appointment and feeling ‘uncomfortable’.
The GOC concluded that its corporate strategy for 2025-30 aimed to reduce inequalities, including through fairer and more inclusive eye care services.
- ICYMI: US toymaker Mattel collaborated with the American Foundation for the Blind to launch its first blind Barbie doll, to increase inclusivity for blind and low-vision children.
September
Job satisfaction within the optical industry took a hit as the GOC’s 2024 annual Registrant Workforce and Perceptions Survey highlighted challenging working conditions and professional disillusionment, with many struggling with not feeling valued (68%), a heavy workload (61%) and poor salary (56%).
This led to concerns about optometrists and dispensing opticians’ ability to deliver safe patient care, as 31% found it difficult to provide patients with the level of care they need, pointing to major factors such as working beyond their hours (67%) and feeling unable to cope with workloads (54%).
Similarly to 2023 results, 42% of professionals still experienced harassment, bullying or abuse from patients and service users, their relatives or other members of the public.
- ICYMI: Optical practices trialled blood pressure checks during routine appointments to identify patients at risk of stroke and heart attacks.
October
Optician hosted its Eyes on Sustainability conference on October 2 at Brighton’s i360, bringing together more than 80 optical industry professionals. The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers at the forefront of sustainable thinking, complemented by interactive CPD sessions.
Simon Jones, editor of Optician and chair of the conference, remarked: ‘I’m very happy with how this year’s Eyes on Sustainability conference went and the delegate feedback we have already received.’
Speakers included eyewear designer Johanna Skans who shared her journey from qualifying as an optometrist in Stockholm to founding her own brand with the ethos of giving more back to the planet than it took.
- ICYMI: 100% Optical organiser Media 10 sold the trade show to CloserStill Media, which promised to explore opportunities to grow the event.
November
The Optician Awards, held on November 22 in the grand ballroom of the Grosvenor House Hotel on London’s Park Lane, celebrated the brightest and best in the optical community.
Among the night’s standout winners was Pearce & Blackmore, which took home two trophies: the Independent Practice of the Year Award and the Sustainability Award. The event welcomed around 500 guests and saw 18 awards presented, with TV and radio presenter Colin Murray serving as the celebrity guest. The evening featured lively networking, singing, dancing and even a balloon burst competition sponsored by the recruiter Vivid Optical.
- ICYMI: Thélios acquired a minority stake in Berlin-based eyewear brand Mykita.
December
Optical professional bodies responded to the government’s consultation on its 10-year health plan, outlining the growing need to transform eye care.
The AOP issued 13 recommendations and pointed out that by moving 50-75% of hospital outpatient activity into primary care optometry, essential NHS capacity could be created.
The College of Optometrists said it supported the government’s three shifts, adding that all patients should be given access to primary eye care schemes.
ABDO outlined short-term actions for change, such as NHS email for all primary care clinicians, as well as long-term actions, including addressing the underfunding of the GOS sight test.
- ICYMI: Aston and Abertay University researchers showed WWI dazzle ships were not as effective as originally thought.
