Optician Awards postponed
Next month’s Optician Awards ceremony (Saturday, April 4) has been postponed.
Chris Bennett, Editor in Chief, said: ‘Our number one priority is to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of all of our sponsors, guests and staff. Given the spread of the coronavirus we have decided that, in order to minimise the risks to guests and sponsors, the event will now take place on Sunday, September 20, 2020, remaining at the same venue Hilton Metropole Birmingham.’
UK’s optical trade show put on hold
Optrafair 2020 has been postponed until September 19-21 in the interest of the health, safety and wellbeing of exhibitors, visitors and staff.
The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians board and Mark Allen Exhibitions explained that the decision was made after monitoring the situation and listening to stakeholders’ views and concerns.
Organisers also consulted with the NEC venue in Birmingham and took advice from the UK government and public health authorities.
An Optrafair statement said: ‘We hope that by making this decision now we can eliminate the uncertainty and reduce the inconvenience felt by registered exhibitors and visitors.’
All bookings will be transferred to the new dates, which will take place on September 19-21 at the NEC.
No Optrafair until later in the year
College of Optometrists suspends assessments
All assessment activity on the Scheme for Registration was suspended from 8am on March 18 by the College of Optometrists in response to the developing coronavirus (Covid-19) situation.
The College made the decision to cancel both Stage 1 and 2 visits until further notice following the Prime Minister’s announcement on March 16.
It will continue to monitor how long the suspension period needs to be in place and assured trainees, supervisors and assessors of its support for those enrolled and involved with the delivery of the Scheme for Registration.
A statement published by the College on its website said: ‘We have not taken this decision lightly. It is to protect the safety of trainees, supervisors and assessors, as well as patients and the public. We realise that there will be a number of consequences arising from the decision.’
The College is exploring how to enable trainees’ allotted time on the Scheme, which is normally up to 27 months, to be extended where the need arises due to cancelled visits and wider disruption caused by coronavirus.
Domiciliary demand
Optometry Scotland has reported that almost all domiciliary services have been halted north of the border as the Scottish government tries to protect the vulnerable and elderly.
‘While we fully support moves to protect patient safety, this of course presents our industry with a huge challenge and we are striving to secure a support package that will allow affected businesses to remain viable for the duration of the pandemic,’ said an Optometry Scotland spokesperson.
The organisation has agreed that domiciliary patients will receive completed spectacles via post and post-fitting support will be offered by telephone. ‘While we appreciate this is not ideal, it meets the government objectives of minimising contact with those most vulnerable and will allow us to receive payment verification confirmation of acceptance/allowance.’
As Optician went to press, Optometry Scotland said it was set to meet with the Scottish government this week (March 17) to discuss how it could continue acting in the best interests of the public while preserving businesses and jobs, and preparing for the significant challenges ahead.
Core advises on safe CL wear
An increased focus on hand washing amid concerns of coronavirus has been welcomed by the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (Core).
Core noted that there is currently no suggestion of an association between the virus and safe contact lens wear but highlighted the importance of proper hand hygiene while using contact lenses.
Lyndon Jones, director of Core, said: ‘Everyone is suddenly Googling handwashing techniques with the spread of Covid-19. Clearly, this is sensible advice to help reduce the risk of transferring the virus.
‘However, outside of the current crisis, focus on good hand washing techniques should be mandatory for contact lens wearers too. With the amount of information available on this topic right now, it is timely to remind lens wearers of just how much the simple act of thorough hand washing can reduce their risk of lens-related complications occurring.’
Testing times for supplier
Optical supplier Louis Stone Optical has seen demand for certain products shoot up due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Over 600 universal slit lamp breath shields have been sold, with another 1,000 arriving in late March. Demand has also been high for slit lamp chin paper, sterile wipes for instruments and tonometer tips that can be used if a patient’s eye needs to be touched during examination.
Louis Stone Optical managing director, Paul Gaba, commented: ‘It is currently integral that opticians use these breath shields when operating slit lamps – they have a duty of care not only to their patients, but to themselves.’
The company has also decided against raising prices in the face of demand. ‘We have a reputation built over 70 years of supplying the optical industry and will not take advantage of our customers and their patients,’ added Gaba.
Louis Stone Optical products in demand
Optical Express Covid-19 countermeasures
Optical Express has introduced new measures and protocols at its practices in line with public health advice relating to coronavirus.
The multiple highlighted that its priority is the safety and wellbeing of its patients and staff, adding that it is well prepared to deal with the developing situation.
A spokesperson for Optical Express said: ‘All staff members have been given advice and training to ensure that clinics are following the latest good practise guidance. Information is displayed in all of our clinics for staff and patients, and staff are able to provide additional advice and support to patients should they need it.’
Optical Express patients who are unable or would find it inconvenient to attend a practice in person are being offered a remote consultation using telemedicine.
Luxottica adjusts to lockdown conditions
Eyewear giant Luxottica suspended production and logistics operations in Italy for three days. The move came as Italy remained locked down due to coronavirus with the suspension intended to allow time for procedures to be adapted to new government directives.
As a result of the lockdown an agreement has been made between the Italian government, employers and unions, which aims to protect workplace safety and hygiene procedures for the Italians working through the crisis.
Manufacturing operations were halted between March 16-18 while the logistics centre in Sedico stopped work between March 16-17. Production restarted gradually on March 19.
Celtic Manor conference postponed
Optix has set new conference dates for November 23-25 following the decision to postpone the event at Celtic Manor Resort in Newport because of coronavirus.
Event organiser Trevor Rowley explained that the decision was made as there is a duty of care to attendees, exhibitors and the Optix team.
‘To potentially put people in harm’s way did not sit comfortably with me. Even if we had gone ahead, it’s very clear that this would not have been the high-quality event we normally put on as the numbers would be down and the atmosphere not as upbeat in any way,’ he said.
Rowley shared that all speakers have been confirmed for the rescheduled event except Chris Hoy and Deborah Meaden.
He added that practitioners who had planned to attend the event would be able to roll over their booking to November, but if this was not possible then a refund can be processed.
Gyles Brandreth was to speak at Optix
Gala dinner to be rescheduled
Following the postponement of Optrafair, the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has confirmed that its annual dinner and meetings will now take place at a later date.
The Association’s traditional presidential handover ceremony at the ABDO dinner will now not take place. Clive Marchant will complete his term on April 5 and Jo Holmes will assume the presidency on April 6.
ABDO general secretary, Sir Tony Garrett, said: ‘Clive has led the Association with great skill, determination and passion over the past two years and I hope the Association will have an early opportunity to say thank you in an appropriate way in the near future. His leadership skills have been a huge asset to the Association and its members and I am sure Clive will continue to be at the forefront of our development in the years to come.’
Home advantage for Essilor
Essilor UK has reiterated that services at its UK production plant in Thornbury have been running uninterrupted.
The company’s managing director, Tim Precious, said: ‘We are paying very close attention to government guidelines in relation to Covid-19 and therefore monitoring the situation daily.
‘Our primary manufacturing is based in the UK and therefore our logistics and supply chain are less impacted. Our absolute priority right now is to maintain our very high levels of production and service at the Thornbury site, while ensuring that the health and welfare of staff is not compromised.’