College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, and Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, about their work in Westminster advocating for eye care professionals in England.

They discuss their connections to eye health, the current challenges facing the sector, and what College members can do to help champion the profession.

College Clinical Advisor Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Louise Gow, Head of Eye Health, Optometry and Low Vision, and Preeti Singla, Optometry and Low Vision Engagement Manager, both at the RNIB.

They discuss their work developing the Adult Low Vision Service Quality Framework, which was created to define best practice for low vision services in any setting across the UK.

At the end of another busy year for the College, Clinical Advisers Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss the main highlights from this year and what we can expect going into 2026.

Further information

• #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from January to March 2025
• #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from April to June 2025
• #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from July to September 2025
• #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from October to December 2025

College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss the recent news from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approving the first low-dose atropine treatment for myopia in the UK. 

They talk about what the news means for optometrists and answer questions from College members. 

Further information

• Myopia management
• Guidance for assessing and managing children with myopia
• MHRA approves first licensed low-dose atropine treatment for childhood myopia in the UK

Expanding Prescribing Scope of Practice - Royal Pharmaceutical Society

Four optometry students at different stages of their optometry journey share insights about their experience so far.

They talk about why they chose optometry, how they've found their courses so far and share advice and tips for succeeding and getting the most out of your time at university.

Further information

• Student resources

• A career in optometry

• Sign up for College student membership

Starting your journey in optometry can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. In this episode, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Sam Strong, Lecturer of Vision Science at Aston University, about how optometry students can make the most of their time at university.

They discuss tips and advice for navigating coursework and clinical training, the importance of asking questions and speaking to someone if you need help or support, and how you should always be open to new opportunities.

• College student resources

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Nazaradden Ibrahim, Global Technical Lead for Eye Health in the West Africa Region for the charity Sightsavers.

They discuss the work of Sightsavers, including how they operate in different countries, the challenges they face, and the role that optometrists and other health workers have in their work.

• Sightsavers

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Jasleen Jolly DPhil MSc FCOptom, Optometrist and Associate Professor in Vision Science, about her research into the psychology of sight loss.

They discuss topics including how best to communicate with and support patients with sight loss, as well as the impact it can have on their careers, hobbies, and overall wellbeing.

Further information

• RNIB
• Macular Society
• Glaucoma UK

To mark the 100th anniversary of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), four past editors — Neil Charman, Bernard Gilmartin, Christine Dickinson, and David Elliott — along with the current editor, Mark Rosenfield, sat down for a special podcast to reflect on their experiences as editors.

OPO is the research journal of The College of Optometrists. It is read and cited around the world, and helps clinicians and educators stay up to date with the latest research findings on the development, use and restoration of vision.

In Part 2, the editors talk about what they would have done differently during their time in the role and offer insights into the current state of research and OPO.

Further information

• ⁠OPO - The College research journal

To mark the 100th anniversary of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), four past editors — Neil Charman, Bernard Gilmartin, Christine Dickinson, and David Elliott — along with the current editor, Mark Rosenfield, sat down for a special podcast to reflect on their experiences as editors.

OPO is the research journal of The College of Optometrists. It is read and cited around the world, and helps clinicians and educators stay up to date with the latest research findings on the development, use and restoration of vision.

In Part 1, each former editor discusses their time in the role, including how they left their mark on the publication and the challenges they faced.

Further information

• OPO - The College research journal

College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MBE FCOptom talk to Simon Berry MCOptom, an optometrist who owns and runs his own practice which specialises in working with people with autism and learning disabilities.

They discuss accessibility for autistic people in eye care including the importance of acclimatisation visits, what adjustments you can make in practice, and how every autistic patient is different.

Further information

• College clinical guidance - Examining autistic patients
• College clinical guidance - Examining patients with learning disabilities