LOCSU has submitted a tender for the provision of vision testing services with the DVLA. The organisation said the bid had been supported by Optometry Scotland and Optometry Wales and was submitted before the DVLA’s July 29 deadline. LOCSU managing director Katrina Venerus said: ‘Many thanks to all those contractors who have already expressed their interest in this bid.’ The winning bid is due to be announced on September 12.
With the holiday season in full swing, a new survey by contact lens packaging manufacturer Contactspod has revealed that four out of 10 respondents forgot to take their contact lens kit with them when going away. Twenty-seven per cent said that this resulted in them wearing their contact lenses for longer periods than recommended and that they could not clean and store them properly. ‘The message is be prepared, plan ahead and stay safe when travelling,’ said a Contactspod spokesperson.
An American study published in JAMA Ophthalmology has found the amount of money a person makes affects the quantity and quality of their eye care. Researchers looked at data from 2002 and 2008 surveys of 7,000 people who were at least 40 years old and reported any age-related eye disease. In both years, those lower incomes were less likely than those with higher incomes to report visiting an eye doctor (63 per cent and 81 per cent) or undergo dilated eye exams (65 per cent and 80 per cent).
Optician would like to point out that last week’s news story ‘DO has no case to answer’ (News 02.08.13) referred to an Interim Order hearing, to assess public protection issues, rather than a substantive hearing. While the Fitness to Practise committee decided no such action was necessary at this hearing, the case remains open and under investigation.