The University of Portsmouth opened a new student eye clinic in its city centre campus last week.
England and GB blind footballer Brandon Coleman was invited to open the clinic at an event attended by students, university staff and media.
The facility, which took 13 weeks to build, was set up for second year students to begin their practical experience on the course, which only started last year. It featured a reception area, 10 consulting rooms and a large pre-testing area with equipment including two Humphrey field analysers, Topcon OCT, Daytona plus and Intuitive Colorimeter.
Professor Graham Galbraith, vice-chancellor of the University of Portsmouth, said: ‘I am very excited that today we are officially opening the eye clinic. Our students need that practical training and the opportunity to work with patients.’
Eye examinations have been booked by 175 patients for the first month of opening, with the majority by members of the public. A dispensing area at the clinic had frames ranging from £19 to £200 on display.
Pictured at the launch (left to right) were university heads Dr Mick Harper and Dr Chris Markham, Coleman, Prof Galbraith, clinic manager Daniel Stride and senior optometry lecturer Malcolm Maciver.