Peter Black: Harmony across European borders

As the UK edges closer to its referendum whether to remain in or leave the European Union, and having just returned from the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO) in Berlin which took place May 20-22, it is interesting to reflect on the state of optics and optometry across the EU.

As well as facilitating CET for the Academy, my main purpose for being in Berlin was to represent the Joint Optical Committee for the European Union (JOCEU) at the General Assembly of the European Council for Optometry and Optics (ECOO). JOCEU has members from ABDO, AOP, C.Optom, FODO, and the GOC. It is chaired by Cindy Tromans and is the organisation that represents agreed UK interests to Europe through ECOO.