dispensingopticsDispensing Optics PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD Telephone:01892 667626 Fax:01892...

Dispensing Optics

PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD

Telephone: 01892 667626

Fax: 01892 667626

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.abdo.org.ukJanuary 2013

dispensingoptics

3 Cover point

4 ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving CeremonyClass of 2012

8 Patient and practice managementThinking big when you are smallby Antonia Chitty

12 ProfileThe curious case of CR39by David Baker

13 Frequently asked questionsby Kim Devlin

14 ABDO President’s DayLooking Forward at ConsultationDay

20 BCLA newsPrepare to be inspired

22 Newsbrief

23 The President’s diaryby Jennifer Brower

28 Optician IndexOctober 2012 summary

31 IADO newsUpdate from Irelandby Jillian Flaherty

32 Disjointed jottings from a DOs desk . . .Avoid the psychopaths and cherish the clownsby Chris Hunt

34 ABDO Area plan 2013

35 Diary of Events

January 2013

New challengesThe year ahead promises to be bothchallenging and exciting for theAssociation and its members. We startwith a totally new CET cycle withdifferent rules and new opportunitiesto learn and acquire points.

Whilst we are still awaiting some finetuning to be done regarding certainelements of the new system, we doknow that there will be more face-to-face CET and the chance to takepart in the new peer review process.This, in turn, will mean more Areaactivity and more active involvementfrom ABDO staff in the delivery of this.Barry Duncan has been workingclosely with Area officers and I amdelighted to say that every Area hasa plan for the year ahead.

Once again the Board has limited feerises to well below inflation for fullmembers (£5) and frozen rates for allother categories. We are conscious ofthe pressure on members andcontinue to look to hold costs down

C O N T E N T S3 dispensingoptics

The Worshipful Companyof Spectacle Makers

Front cover: Shamir Ski Lenses designed with the skier in mind

Cover point

ABDO also activity works in conjunction with:

ABDO is a member of:

ABDO works in Partnership with:

whilst increasing income from non-membership sources. Members arereminded that if they do not pay bydirect debit they may do so online.

Member benefitsThis year we have increased the costof PI Insurance for the first time in nineyears. This has been done, notbecause of an increase in premiums,but because we have decided that itis in all members’ interest to increasethe cover from £2m to £5m perperson, bringing us in line with otherorganisations. At the new rates of £35per DO member and £45 per CLO,we are still offering members anunbeatable rate.

The membership department hasspent a lot of time looking at lifestylebenefits, which now include specialdeals with a number of leadingretailers including supermarkets aswell as a new package of discountedcinema tickets. Both are a very goodway of recouping some or all of thecosts of membership.

ABDO College TrusteeA vacancy has arisen on the ABDOCollege Board of Trustees. The ABDOBoard would like to invite applicationsfrom current members who have astrong and evident interest in opticaleducation. The appointment will befor two years commencing April 2013.Those interested should send acovering letter with a short CVaddressed to Sir Anthony Garrett CBE,General Secretary, ABDO, 199Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD. If you would like any additionalinformation or to discuss what may beinvolved, please [email protected] or call 02072985102. Closing date for applicationsis 31 January 2013.

Best wishes for 2013.Tony Garrett n

4 dispensingoptics January 2013

The graduates and dignitaries group together in the Chapter House at Canterbury Cathedral

Graduants and their families prepare for theceremony

Jennifer Brower presents the JWGrieve Prize to Natasha Wood

Jennifer Hilton, who travelled from Perth inWestern Australia to receive her FBDO Diploma inOphthalmic Dispensing, with Michael Potter

Once more to the magnificent spires of CanterburyCathedral to celebrate and welcome a new influx of qualifieddispensing and contact lens opticians

More than 400 graduands, along with their guests and members of theAssociation and profession attended the 2012 Graduation and Prize

Giving ceremony, held at Canterbury Cathedral on 28 November.

Preceded by Procession Marshal, Ros Kirk, the graduands entered thecathedral to take their seats and hearfrom ABDO President, Jennifer Brower,and the Master of the WorshipfulCompany of Spectacle Makers,Gordon Jones.

Addressing the assembledgraduands, Jennifer said: “You haveworked hard to learn your skills andpass your exams, but this is just thebeginning, because you are at thestart of what I hope will be anenjoyable and rewarding career.Although you are now qualifieddispensing opticians, you mustcontinue learning to keep your skillsup to date through continuingeducation and training, but I wouldurge you to look on this as a chance

to increase your knowledge, andtake advantage of every opportunityavailable.”

Jennifer said she felt very positiveabout the future of dispensing opticson seeing how membership of ABDOcontinued to grow year after yearand how dispensing opticians’services were sought after. “I hopethat every day of your working life willbe carefree but if problems do arise,ABDO staff are there to help you andif you have any queries or concerns,contact the membership departmentfor help and advice,” she added.

As the conferral of awards and prizescommenced, the graduands lined upto accept their FBDO Diploma inOphthalmic Dispensing from the

Class of 2012

Peter Black presents the TonyGriffiths Prize to Keira Bratcher

Linda Samuel presents the EssilorPrize to Rebecca Harley

ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony 2012

President, and receive theceremonial handshake to leave asgraduates. Mark Chandler, ABDO’shead of examinations andregistration, called the names ofgraduands present who steppedforward to the President in turn. Theawards were conferred byceremonial handshake. The awardingof prizes then followed.

FBDO - Diploma in OphthalmicDispensing (369)

FBDO OS - Diploma in OphthalmicDispensing Overseas (8)

FBDO OS - Diploma in OphthalmicDispensing Overseas – Malaysia (90)

FBDO CL - Certificate in Contact LensPractice (28)

FBDO (Hons) SLD - Diploma inSpectacle Lens Design (2)

Essilor PrizeAwarded to Rebecca Hartley for thehighest mark in the combinedPreliminary Qualifying Examination.Presented by Linda Samuel, salesmanager, Essilor.

Stepper PrizeAwarded to Emily Tamplin for thehighest mark in the Preliminary

Qualifying Practical Examination.Unable to attend.

JW Grieve PrizeAwarded to Natasha Wood for thehighest mark in section C of the FinalQualifying Practical Examination.Presented by ABDO President,Jennifer Brower.

Tony Griffiths Prize for ExcellenceAwarded to Keira Bratcher for thehighest mark in section B of the FinalPractical Examination. Presented byABDO Vice President, Peter Black.

National Eyecare Group Optinet PrizeAwarded to Benjamin Brewer for thebest presented Pre-QualificationPortfolio in the Final QualifyingExamination. Presented by MichaelWheeler, managing director, NationalEyecare Group.

Carl Zeiss Vision PrizeAwarded to Benjamin Brewer for thetop distance learning course student.Presented by Michelle Derbyshire,head of operational services, ABDOCollege.

Worshipful Company of SpectacleMakers PrizeAwarded to Benjamin Brewer for thehighest mark in the Final QualifyingPractical Examination. Presented by

Master of the Worshipful Company of SpectacleMakers, Gordon Jones

Mark Chandler announces each graduand toreceive their award from Jennifer Brower

Michael Wheeler presentsthe NEG Prize to Ben Brewer

Master Gordon Jonespresents the WCSM Prize toBen Brewer

Christine McLaren presentsthe FMO Derek McLarenMemorial Prize to Ben Brewer

Michelle Derbyshire presentsthe Carl Zeiss Vision Prize toBen Brewer

Andrew Cripps presents theSue Souhgate Prize to BenBrewer

ABDO President Jennifer Brower

Continued overleaf


Gordon Jones, Master, WorshipfulCompany of Spectacle Makers.

FMO Derek McLaren Memorial PrizeAwarded to Benjamin Brewer for thehighest UK student mark in the FinalQualifying Examination. Presented byChristine McLaren on behalf of TheFederation of ManufacturingOpticians.

Sue Southgate PrizeAwarded to Benjamin Brewer for thehighest mark in section E of the FinalQualifying Practical Examination.Presented by Andrew Cripps.

Association of Optometrists PrizeAwarded to Felicity Wyatt for thehighest mark in section A of the FinalQualifying Practical Examination.Presented by David Shannon,chairman, Association ofOptometrists.

Rodenstock PrizeAwarded to Anna Foden for thehighest mark in section D of the FinalQualifying Practical Examination.Presented by Dietmar Rathbauer,general manager, Rodenstock.

Federation of (Ophthalmic andDispensing) Opticians PrizeAwarded to Simon Ward for the topday release course student.

Presented by Jayne Rawlinson,chairman, Federation of (Ophthalmicand Dispensing) Opticians.

MAPO Malaysian PrizeAwarded to Joseph Ting Kee Siong forthe highest international student markin the Final Qualifying Examination.Presented by Kevin KA Siew,president, Malaysian Association ofPractising Opticians.

British Contact Lens Association PrizeAwarded to Emma White for thehighest mark in the Aftercare sectionof the Practical Examination,Certificate in Contact Lens Practice.Presented by Vivien Freeman,secretary general, British Contact LensAssociation.

CIBA Vision/Alcon Prize forExcellenceAwarded to Emma White for thehighest mark in the PracticalExamination, Certificate in ContactLens Practice. Presented by AliciaThompson, director of professionalexaminations, ABDO.

Association of Contact LensManufacturers PrizeAwarded to Emma White for thehighest mark in sections 2, 3 & 4 in thePractical Examination, Certificate inContact Lens Practice. Presented by

Simon Rodwell, secretary general,Association of Contact LensManufacturers.

Bailey PrizeAwarded to Bethan Verrinder for thehighest full pass, at the first attempt, inthe combined Theory and PracticalExaminations, Certificate in ContactLens Practice. Unable to attend.

Johnson & Johnson Vision CareExcellence AwardAwarded to Ceri Robson for thehighest aggregate mark in the TheoryExamination, Certificate in ContactLens Practice. Presented by EllaEwens, medical affairs manager UK & Ireland, Johnson & Johnson VisionCare.

TA Doyle Memorial PrizeAwarded to Lorraine O’Connor forthe highest mark in an honours paper.Presented by Peter Black, ABDO VicePresident.

Special PrizeAwarded to Kevin Gutsell forachieving 100% mark in both papersof the ABDO Diploma in SpectacleLens Design examination. Presentedby Jennifer Brower.

Photographs by Ede and Ravenscroftand Terry Oborne n

Jayne Rawlinson presentsthe FODO Prize to SimonWard

Dietmar Rathbauer presentsthe Rodenstock Prize toAnna Foden

David Shannon presents theAssociation of OptometristsPrize to Felicity Wyatt

Siew Kok Ang presents theMAPO Malaysian Prize toJoseph Ting Kee Siong

Vivien Freeman presents theBCLA Prize to Emma White

Simon Rodwell presents theACLM Prize to Emma White

Alicia Thompson presentsthe CIBA Vision/Alcon PrizePrize to Emma White

Ella Ewens presents the J & JVision Care ExcellenceAward to Ceri Robson

Peter Black presents the TADoyle Memorial Prize toLorraine O’Connor

Jennifer Brower presents theTA Doyle Memorial Prize toKevin Gutsell


done. This gives them the doublereward of lovely nails and feeling thatyou have a better understanding oftheir job.

A clearer visionDr Rob Hogan is a director at iCareConsulting and The Power Practice,which aims to help independentpractitioners improve profitability, gettheir life back and enjoy themselvesagain. He has more than 20 years’experience of managing anddirecting professional services foroptometric companies, improvingpractice performance andprofitability. If you feel you need aclearer vision for your practice, headvises: “Have a complete review.Look at factors such as the localityand the competition. Write down yourvision and be able to justify what youare doing. Once you have created avision, develop a business plan andday-to-day operating strategy. Theninvolve everybody in the team. Thechief exec of a large company won’tknow names of all the OAs or evenmanagers, but if you are leader, ownerand proprietor you’ll know everyoneinside out. They become family.

“Many independent practitionersforget what it is that they want theirown business for,” continues Rob. “The

Make the most of yourstrengths, writes AntoniaChitty

Thinking big whenyou are smallDoes size matter? Whether you are

an independent optician with asingle practice or a small group, youcan sometimes feel it is impossible tocompete with big multiples withadvertising budgets to match theirsize. In this article, learn about makingthe most of your strengths as a singlepractice or small group.

Multiple opticians have a set formulafor success and with their training, HRand marketing departments, it canseem impossible to compete. Yet smallpractices have many strengths. Play toyour business’s strengths, and learnfrom what the multiples do well, applywhat you have learnt and you will seeyour practice grow.

The first step in developing yourpractice is to assess your business’sstrengths. What do you do well? Whydo people keep coming back? Formany independent practices, peoplewill like the continuity of therelationship – and this is somewherethat you can beat many multipleshands down. Patients see you everytime they come in, and begin to feelthat you are friends as well aspractitioner and patient. Share a littleabout yourself; people love stories andwill feel that they know you a littlebetter which will build loyalty. Once

your patients also become friends,they will want to tell their friends too,which can help your word of mouthreferrals. People who are loyalcustomers will act as advocates foryour business.

If you manage or own your ownpractice, do you have a vision forwhat you want to achieve, for whatyou want people to aim for, for howpeople perceive the practice?Multiple opticians will have missionstatements and business strategies, butit can be hard in a large company forevery member of staff to be on boardwith this. As a small practice owner ormanager, you are ideally placed tocommunicate your vision. You andyour staff need to all have the sameend goal. Set your goals for the year,listen to staff views, and put up youragreed targets on the wall. Ask staffwhat would motivate them to worktowards the goals.

Bigger businesses may have staff awaydays, and this is something that smallbusinesses can do too. Staff may like aspa day or a golf day – or if you havea smaller budget, set a couple ofhours during a quiet part of the weekwhere you take over reception dutiesand pay for the optical assistant andthe receptionists to go to get their nails

corporate sector takes about 70 percent of the output of universities tofinish the training year. The vastmajority have therefore worked for alarge company, and many will believe,‘I can do better than that’ – then thereality of business loans, property andmarketing sets in. You lose your sparkand enjoyment. Re-find that spark,focus on it, and reenergise yourself, sothe business isn’t running you.” Robadvocates reviewing your businessplan annually to keep the focus alive.“Measure your own business and seehow it compares to your originalvision,” he says. “Look at what you’vegot, compare to what you thoughtyou wanted to do and take stock.”

Big groups often have a well thoughtout training scheme for staff. If you area small practice owner or manager,start by allocating money to trainingand by assessing training needs. Atraining budget to last the year willhelp you weigh up the value ofdifferent training courses. Anassessment of training needs will helpyou work out who needs what training,and how it might fit into your budget. If you are concerned that your trainingbudget is small, remember that as asmall group or single practice, youhave a much easier job when itcomes to disseminating information. If you attend a training day, you canthen pass on what you have learnt toall your staff, either informally as youwork together, or in a short sessionbefore or after work.

Multiples have to train new staff all thetime, which can take up a significantproportion of their training budgets,whereas if you have good staffretention, and can train people onyour systems yourself this won’t eat intoyours. Don’t forget to bolster yourmanagement skills to help youmanage your practice better. Rob hassome ideas to help you with this:“Management and business coursesare often available during opticalconferences. Book conferences whereyou can go outside your comfort zonefor maximum benefit.”

Small, yet powerfulChanging direction if you have 50 or100 practices is akin to changingdirection in a super-tanker. Rob says:

“Small independents have theadvantage of being fleet of foot.Large corporates develop a strategyfor three to five years. A new chiefexec, bringing in new ideas, takes along time to assess, plan andimplement charge for the business.” In contrast, small practices have thepower to act fast.

Multiples can be seen to have powerbased on their ability to bring togethermany practices and practitioners, butindependents and small groups cando this too. Make sure that you joinlocal optical organisations and attendconferences when you can. Rob says:“If you’re not putting yourself out therein the professional circuit you can beisolated, lack vision and ideas, andhave nothing to benchmark yourpractice against. Get involved withyour local optical society or localoptical committee. Meet likemindedpeople. During the day they may be a competitor but you can also learnfrom each other. These groups canmake you feel part of a family.”

Benchmarking can help you make themost of trends. Rob says: “Big boysbenchmark everything. It can be hardto notice a trend yourself, so make themost of professional advice; youraccountant may spot something thatyou hadn’t.” Read national surveysfrom optical organisations andconsider how this may affect yourbusiness. Rob advises: “Independentsoften don’t understand the power thatthey have and allow themselves to bebrowbeaten by the onward marchingof the chains, with offers in magazinesor on TV. I’ve heard that one chain

Patient and practice management

Case studyEye Love Local

Rob Hogan

Continued overleaf

spends more on ads in the UK thanCoca Cola.”

There are a number of ways thatpractices can team together topromote themselves. Read the casestudy about one way practices arebanding together to raise their profileusing PR and new media and visitwww.visionmatters.org.uk to find outabout National Eye Health Week, acampaign which provides materialsand a promotional hook to help youraise the importance of eyecare withthe local media and potentialcustomers.

Pick one or more of these areas whereindependent opticians and smallgroups can learn from bigger business,and put them into practice this week.You will soon see the difference.

Contact Dr Rob Hogan [email protected] n

Gavin Rebello is a partner in Patrickand Menzies’ practices in Essex andhas been taking part in Sight CareGroup’s Eye Love Local campaign. Heexplains what motivated him to joinwith other independent opticians: “The

problem with being an independent ishaving a voice in modern daycommunications. Good independentshave survived by word of mouth, andthat was fine years ago when familiesknew their neighbours and everyone


stayed in the same area. Now peoplecommute. Their resource to find anoptician will be online, and this canmake it a slow process to get new getclients.

“Big companies advertise and sponsorTV programmes – but we just don’thave the budget to compete and ifwe go down the advertising route wewill get drowned out. If I approach thelocal paper with my advertisingbudget of £300, I have to be realisticthat the paper will be more loyal tothe chain that spends thousands ofpounds each year. So, we have tothink strategically: we have our USP. At our practices, we specialise in visionperformance. Kids with readingproblems, and sports and vision, canmake good news stories for the localpaper or radio station. I could do PRon my own but that is hard workalongside running the business andthere are only so many stories you cangenerate as an independent. All thosereasons are why we joined Eye LoveLocal.”

The Eye Love My Local IndependentOptician campaign aims to raiseawareness of the benefits of

independent local optical practicesand, importantly, highlights thevaluable contribution they make tothe eyecare market. Launched inMarch 2010, the national awarenesscampaign encourages people to visittheir local independent opticians foran eye exam and promotes theunrivalled service delivered at eachpractice. The campaign highlights thatindependent opticians invest inbuilding a relationship with patients toensure long-term eye health and takethe time to understand their lifestyles.

Gavin continues: “Eye Love Local pullstogether the benefits of independentpractice, and makes the most of thebacklash against big corporates incampaigns by people like MaryPortas. By pooling together morepeople will sit up and take notice.Sight Care, a business support groupfor independent opticians, createdEye Love Local. By combiningresources from all the membership wecan have more impact on a biggerplaying field. Eye Love Localrepresents us and gets the word outabout the benefits of using a localindependent optician, all as part ofthe Sight Care membership.

“In November, Eye Love Locallaunched a promotion with the DailyMail, so readers can visitwww.eyelovelocal.co.uk and find theirnearest local optician. People will tapinto us through this national promotion,when they might not discover usthrough word of mouth. Eye LoveLocal introduces us to a wider rangeof people. People really like to supporttheir local optician. And because it istheir eyes, they value a good service.Since the Eye Love Local campaignhas been running we have seen anupsurge in new patients. People lovethe consistency of seeing the samestaff every time.

“The Eye Love Local campaign has awebsite, and uses PR and Twitter. I cango to the Eye Love Local website if Iwant to do some local press work, anddownload the results of a survey whichhave been done centrally. As well asgiving me fuel for local PR, surveys bythe Eye Love Local campaign help usunderstand what people want fromtheir local optician, which helps us

evolve the practice without having tocarrying out expensive researchourselves. The PR agency behind EyeLove Local also runs biggercampaigns on our behalf; radiocampaigns around back to school, forexample, on local and national radio.On bank holidays DIY accidentsincrease, so they have done PRaround that.

“Independent opticians need to worktogether because we need to grow ifwe want to thrive rather than justsurvive. While word of mouth is a goodway to grow your practice, the newways people interact means that wordof mouth won’t be as reliable orpractical as in the past. More peoplewill get recommendations online, butindependent opticians may not haveresources to represent themselves inthis area: it is economies of scalereally.”

Paul Surridge, chief executive of SightCare Group which runs the campaign,says: “Over the years, little has beendone to truly highlight the benefits oflocal independent opticians. We aretherefore delighted that at a timewhen the High Street is increasinglycompetitive, the ‘Eye Love My LocalIndependent Optician’ campaign hasbeen successful in providingindependents with a regional voicethat carries nationwide. The campaignhas grown from strength to strength.

“Independent practices are enthusedabout the campaign and arebecoming actively involved in itspromotion. To ensure the campaign’smomentum, we are already looking atways to promote independentpractices further and the vital role theyplay in today’s marketplace.”

For more information on the Eye LoveMy Local Independent Opticiancampaign, visitwww.eyelovelocal.co.uk

Former optometrist Antonia Chitty nowwrites on business topics. Her latestbook is Making Money Online. She haswritten other books including Blogging:The Essential Guide and Marketing:The Essential Guide which will help youif you need effective ways to promoteyour practice. n

Gavin Rebello


The curiouscase of CR39

David Baker explains thestrange story behind theinvention of CR39

The material CR39 is not strange atall. In fact, it is familiar as the most

used material for spectacle lensesthroughout the world: refractive index1.498; Abbe value 59.3; density1.31gcm-3. But the background to itsinvention, and of the eccentric manwho developed it for spectacle lensuse, is most peculiar.

The story of CR39 dates back to thelate 1930s when research began intoresin materials with low-pressurethermostatic properties. The onset ofWorld War II and the ensuing shortageof natural resources made the searchfor such compounds more urgent.Pittsburgh Plate Glass (PPG) tasked itsOhio subsidiary, Columbia SouthernChemical Company, with finding aclear allyl resin with the desiredproperties. By May 1940, at the 39thattempt, they came up with an allyldiglycol carbonate monomer that hadsome unique characteristics. Theseincluded the ability to combine withlayers of cloth, paper and othermaterials to produce extremely stronglaminated products that could bemoulded into different shapes – thebeginning of the reinforced plasticsindustry. The new material was namedafter its batch name (Columbia Resin)and number, and trademarked byPPG as CR39.

An early wartime use, when mixedwith fibreglass and lined with a self-sealing rubber compound, was for alight, bulletproof fuel tank for the B-17

‘Flying Fortress’ bomber. But at the endof WWII, when government contractswere cancelled, PPG found itselfsaddled with 38,000 pounds of CR39 ina steel tank, which had no obvioususe. Although known to be liquid untilthe addition of a catalyst, it wasunclear whether it would eventuallyself-harden and, if so, how quickly.

Problem solvingEnter Robert Klark Graham (1906-1997), a dentist’s son from HarborSprings, Michigan. Graham had spent10 years as a sales rep aftergraduating from college, and wasnow sales manager at Univis LensCompany. Univis had gainedexperience of plastic lensdevelopment through its acquisitionbefore the war of the UnbreakableLens Company of America (TULCA). It had tried polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA), taking its lead from thePMMA ‘Igard’ lens marketed in theUSA by the British company CombinedOptical Industries Ltd (COIL). But theavailable PMMA lenses scratched andyellowed easily, and Univis eventuallyabandoned its plastic lens research.

Graham decided to go it alone,setting up the Plastic Lens Company inCalifornia, taking most of the Univisresearch team with him. They madeoptically clear PMMA lenses, but thesurfaces were still too soft. Grahamdecided to make a bid for PPG’sCR39, speculating that it might be a

suitable material for ophthalmic lenses.Tests confirmed that it was not onlyoptically clear, but also 30 times morescratch resistant than PMMA-basedmaterials such as Plexiglas and Lucite;but its bonding properties made itunsuitable for casting in metal moulds.Graham’s use of glass moulds solvedthat problem, but there was also theissue of the cast lenses shrinking by 14per cent as they cured, introducingoptical distortions. So Graham castthick blanks with the back curvematching the finished front curve. Theshrinkage would be uniform, and theback surface could then be groundand surfaced as necessary.

With Graham’s company renamed asArmolite, production of its CR39 lensesbegan in 1947. After a six-yearmonopoly, Essilor, then Sola and nextAmerican Optical, began producingits own CR39 lenses. The growth inpopularity of CR39 was reflected bythe change in PPG’s resin markets: in1961, most sales were for applicationssuch as industrial visors, goggles andwindscreens, but by 1975 over 90 percent of its resin sales were to theoptical industry. Surface scratching,however, was still a problem whencompared with glass, a snag thatcoating specialists 3M overcame bydiscovering that a near-perfect dust-free environment was crucial for thesuccessful application of a scratch-resistant coating. Its process worked sowell that it bought Armolite in 1979and marketed the coating as RLX Plus.

Robert Klark Graham

Intelligent selectionThe sale of Armolite allowed Grahamto indulge his long-held views oneugenics – or ‘intelligent selection’ inhis words. He had self-published abook, The Future of Man, in 1971,arguing that modern technology hadallowed the survival of weaker, lessintelligent humans who werereproducing in greater numbers thanthe stronger, more intelligent class. Henow had the funds to promote hiscontribution to the solution; a spermbank that would distribute to suitablyintelligent married women thedonations of elite scientific Nobellaureates. His Repository For GerminalChoice, dubbed by the media as the‘Nobel Prize sperm bank’, faced thedifficulty of recruiting suitable donors.According to reports, either two or fouranonymous donations were received.The relative age of laureates was aproblem too, regarding the viability ofsperm; so Graham widened his net toinclude younger men eminent in thesciences, arts and sport.

Graham’s work was highlighted by theLos Angeles Times in 1980, and theNational Enquirer broke the news ofthe first birth. Reaction to the idea of‘designer babies’ was entirely hostile,with comparisons made to Nazieugenics. The success rate wasrelatively low, with 15 to 20 births peryear reported between the late 1980sand early 1990s, and 229 successfulbirths in total claimed by theRepository. But Graham’s enterprise,based in a laboratory at his ranch inEscondido, California, fizzled out afterhis death, due to it being funded byhim on a non-profit basis with nodonor fees paid, or asked for, fromrecipients. Most of the informationabout those involved in Graham’sscheme and the babies born throughit remains unknown, as thewhereabouts of the Reopsitory’srecords disappeared when it closeddown.

It is a sobering thought to considerwhen next handling a pair of CR39lenses that the proceeds from thedevelopment of manufacture of theseplastic lenses ended up funding themanufacture of babies. It is said thatgenius is close to madness. Was RobertKlark Graham a bit of both? n

Profile

To prescribe, or not to prescribe?The question that gave me the most problem this month was about giving aprescription. A member had asked about a patient for whom he had made up somemusic glasses but the patient was now moving to a different part of the country and hewanted to take the prescription with him to the new practice, wherever that might be.The member wanted to know if he could, as a dispensing optician, give a prescription.Well, I had to ponder this one…

Registered DOs may alter the working distance for patients for a particular task or job.This is a familiar situation; the patient comes in with a prescription stating the distancepowers and addition needed. They say: ”My glasses are fine most of the time but I can’tsee very well when I play the organ in church. Can you help?” Of course you can. Witha little bit of measurement and calculation, you make a pair of specs for reading music.The patient is delighted and job done. Except when that patient decides to move andsays: “These music specs are wonderful; can you give me my prescription so I can tellany new optician what to do if I should lose them?” This is where ABDO came in.

The issuing of a prescription is the final part of an eye examination; it is the legalresponsibility of the doctor or optometrist to give the patient a copy of theprescription found (or a statement saying no prescription found). If a DO gives aprescription, it could be interpreted as the testing of sight. So, what to do?

It must be assumed that the details of the music spectacles would be clearly recordedwithin the patient’s records. The details of the original prescription, together with thesubsequent power calculated to focus the patient’s eyes in the required position, wouldbe recorded together with the frame details, measurements, centration and tints orcoatings and charges made. This information may be given to the patient (it is theirright to have any details they wish from your records) but the form it takes must becarefully considered.

It could say something along the lines of: ‘Details of spectacles supplied for music on[date]’. ‘Calculated from the original prescription of [date] issued by [name ofprescriber]’. Then end with: ‘Dispensed by [your name] and [GOC registration number]’.When worded like this there can be no doubt that there was no test of sight but simplya calculation from an existing prescription.

Kim Devlin is chair of ABDO’s Advice and Guidelines Working Group n

Frequently asked questionsAnswered by Kim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CL

ABDO advises on chloramphenicol useSince December 2009, all dispensing opticians have had the right to sell or supply, in thecourse of their professional practice, the anti-infective drug chloramphenicol.

This right only applies to chloramphenicol in its Pharmacy (P) classification, which statesthat its supply is restricted to a maximum pack size of 10ml (0.5 per cent drops) and 4g(one per cent ointment), and only for the treatment of acute bacterial conjunctivitis inadults and children over two years, for a maximum of five days.

It is worth noting that these are the same restrictions that apply to the supply ofchloramphenicol by pharmacists. It would be inappropriate, therefore, to direct a patientto a pharmacist for the supply of this drug in any other circumstances. An alternativeroute available to optometrists is to supply the chloramphenicol via a signed order to apharmacist, when its use is more flexible and may include for example prophylactic usefor corneal abrasions, or following foreign body removal. For more information, seeDispensing Optics, Special educational supplement, April 2010. n

Angela McNamee and Francis Mecoy and behind them Anthony Blackman and Ashton Galloway Tony Garrett and Jennifer Brower

Jo Holmes from Area 7

the general secretary and ABDO CETcoordinator, Paula Stevens, who wasnominated as one of the best lecturersat the conference. The President hadsubsequently attended theInternational Opticians Association(IOA) biennial convention in Australia,which had provided a usefulopportunity to talk to overseascolleagues. She had also attendedthe European Council of Optometryand Optics (ECOO) meeting inSweden and welcomed ECOO’sunanimous recognition of the value ofdispensing opticians’ services. Sincethe last Consultation Day in May, thePresident had attended meetings inAreas 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9, and expressedher willingness to visit Area 6 andNorthern Ireland.

Insurance mattersNext, Tony Garret mentioned ABDO’songoing participation in the OpticalConfederation, reporting that the new

Members had the chance to comment on a wide range of local andnational issues at the President’s Consultation Day, held in Londonon 14 November

Commencing her report, ABDOPresident Jennifer Brower told of

her attendance, with the generalsecretary Tony Garrett, at the annualconference of the Optical ConsumerComplaints Service. She welcomedthe conference’s universal agreementthat patients with learning disabilitiesshould be treated as a vulnerablegroup and be added to the regulateddispensing list. The President had alsoheld discussions with Seeability and, asa result, dispensing opticians would beadded to Seeability’s database ofpractitioners who offered services tothis group. ABDO was also workingwith Seeability to rewrite theirmembership leaflets to highlight theservices provided by dispensingopticians.

The President noted that she hadrepresented ABDO at the NewZealand Association of DispensingOpticians’ conference, together with

Looking forward atConsultation Day


Articles of Association had beenapproved by the AGM in September,whilst noting that the next stage wouldbe the drafting of regulations arisingfrom the new Articles. Tony said hewas pleased to report that despite thecurrent economic climate, ABDO hadno debts and would record a surplusfor the third year running.

He highlighted the decision toincrease the level of cover providedby ABDO’s professional indemnityinsurance. This had remained at £2mfor many years and would beincreased to £5m, thus bringing thepolicy into line with AOP and FODOpolicies. Although this would mean aslight increase in premiums, the highercover would be in members’ bestinterests. Tony reported an increase invoucher values for the year and washopeful that current discussions withthe Department of Health would resultin a further increase next year. He wasnot, however, optimistic that therewould be an increase in GOS fees.

With regard to the Anglia RuskinUniversity dispensing qualification, Tonyindicated that the situation remainedunclear. It was understood that theGOC had carried out a visit but hadnot yet certified the course and heconsidered it unacceptable that aftertwo years, the details of thequalification remained unknown.

Moving on, Tony noted that newreporting mechanisms for publichealth would be in place from April2013. As these would include eyecare,consideration had been given to waysof using this element of the publichealth agenda to promote eye health

to the public and the medicalprofessions. Leeds University offer ashort course in ophthalmic publichealth. This has been heavilyoversubscribed and ABDO hope theuniversity will run an extra course nextyear. ABDO had also embarked onthe production of specialistinformation leaflets as a means ofpromoting members’ services.

Conference reviewABDO head of marketing andcommunications, Michael Potter,reported on the success of the 2012conference, which had attracted 560delegates, the highest number sincethe introduction of the newconference format in 2006. Specialmention was made of the workshops,which had proved particularlypopular. Feedback on the conferencehad been positive from delegates,speakers, sponsors and exhibitors.Nearly 300 delegates and guests hadattended the gala dinner, when aDVD had been shown highlightingABDO’s achievements over the lasttwo years. The DVD was then playedat the meeting and the generalsecretary paid tribute to ElaineGrisdale, ABDO head of professionalservices, for organising such asuccessful conference.

Michael continued by outlining theclose collaboration taking place withthe FMO in organising an event formembers during Optrafair in April 2013.The ABDO event would run in parallelwith Optrafair at the Birmingham NEC,on 13 and 14 April, and wouldcomprise the AGM, a national CETevent that would be repeated onboth days and would be free to

members, and a special partyfeaturing the presidential handoverand annual awards. ABDO and ABDOCollege would have stands andCanterbury Christ Church Universitywould run special activities in some ofthe conference suites. Further detailswould be publicised as they becameavailable and separateadvertisements would be publishedalongside the publicity for Optrafair.

Membership benefits updateKatie Docker, ABDO head ofmembership services, outlined her roleand activities, and reported on theappointment of a new member ofstaff who would have specialresponsibility for social media. Katiereferred to the increase in professionalindemnity insurance cover mentionedearlier, noting that this would result inan increase in premiums of £5 permember. An addition had been madeto the policy to provide third party‘run-off’ cover for members who werepractice owners. She confirmed that‘run-off’ cover lasted for the durationof the policy. In response to a query,she noted that there were no plans toconsider offering corporate coversince this would be too expensive.

Next, Katie mentioned the introductionof the Area email notification ‘click-reply’ system, which had proved to bevery effective. She outlined lifestylebenefits launched during the year andin addition noted the introduction ofother benefits including CRB checks ata discounted rate and discounts withthe Macdonald Hotel Group. It wasnoted that in England one CRB checkcovered the practitioner for everyactivity, whereas in Scotland

ABDO President’s Day

The gathering at the President’s Consultation Day

Continued overleaf

Gaynor Williams and Helen Skovgaard from Area 3

Huntly Taylor chairman of ABDO College Trustees Lee Price from Area 6

practitioners had to register and havea CRB check for each Health Boardarea in which they practised and,additionally, for voluntary personalactivities. It was suggested that thisanomaly should be raised with therelevant authorities.

Area reportsArea 2: Two evening meetings hadbeen held, the one in October beingattended by the President andproviding eight CET points. Changes tothe committee had taken place,including the election of a newchairman. Two evening meetings andan October CET day were planned for2013.

Area 3: A well-attended meeting hadbeen held. Plans for 2013 included anevening meeting in May, the date ofwhich would be finalised in discussionwith ABDO in order to avoid a clashwith the next President’s ConsultationDay. A CET weekend was planned forOctober, involving CET and socialactivities, and offering up to 11 CETpoints. The chairman, Richard Morris,would be stepping down at the nextcommittee meeting.

Area 6: A successful meeting hadbeen held at the beginning of 2012and it had been decided not toorganise an event in the autumn toavoid any potential conflict with theABDO conference. A CET event wasplanned for March 2013, which couldpotentially offer 10 CET points. FurtherCET points would be availablethrough joint participation in Area 7events.

Area 7: A successful CET day had

been held in May and had beenattended by the President. For 2013there were plans for an evening eventin June offering four CET points, a fullday event in Plymouth offering eightpoints, and a joint event with Area 6 inBristol. Tribute was paid to committeemembers for their willingness toorganise these events.

Area 9: The AGM and a CET lecturehad been held in June, with 30delegates. An event was planned for6 December 2012, and for 2013 it washoped to run a joint event with Area 8in March. Consideration was alsobeing given to running a full day eventin June and another CET meeting inNovember, both of these incollaboration with Area 10.

Area 10: The Area had been inactivefor some time but plans were in handfor four CET evenings in 2013, althoughthe content could not be finalised untildetails of the new GOC CET schemewere known. The Area AGM wouldtake place shortly.

Area 11: A recent successful CET dayhad attracted 50 delegates and asmall exhibition. Six points had beenprovided and feedback had beenpositive. For 2013 it was hoped to runtwo CET days, one being a workshop.

Area 12: A further NES-funded CET dayhad been held shortly after the ABDOconference, with 38 delegates at theEdinburgh event and 36 at therepeated event in Glasgow. Eachevent provided 10 CET points andincluded the first peer review/discussion sessions. NES funding had beensecured for 2013 and it was hoped to

hold a social event preceding the CETday, possibly in Edinburgh Castle. TheArea AGM and a CET meeting wouldtake place in January 2013.

There followed a discussion on thevarious ways of running peerreview/discussion sessions, which couldbe based on practitioners’ own caserecords or on pre-prepared casestudies. Members were told that it waslikely that peer review/discussionsessions would attract three CET points,as would skills workshops, which wouldnow be allowed to includecommunication skills as this was one ofthe core competencies. On the otherhand, VRICS quizzes and CET lecturesof any length might only provide onepoint, hence the urgency in knowingthe final details from the GOC, in orderto plan activities that provided themost points.

Michelle Derbyshire, head ofoperational services at ABDO College,reported on another successfulacademic year and outlined plans for2012-13. These included, inter alia, theLow Vision Hons course starting inJanuary, to be followed by revisioncourses and the BSc Hons ODS course,which was the top-up degree forFBDO holders. College staff hadattended the ABDO conference andwould be attending the Specsaversand Vision Aid Overseas conferences,Area events in Leeds and London, amajor Boots event in London, and theNational Eyecare Group conference.Preparations were in hand for aCollege presence at Optrafair in April2013, which would provide anopportunity to inform members aboutchanges in the core curriculum.


Mention was made of the e-newslettersent out regularly by Michael Potter. Allagreed that this was informative andwell received, and it was noted that of7,500 recipients, only 50 hadunsubscribed. Comment was madethat in view of the success of the e-newsletter, thought should be given toways of using it to promote theprofession more widely.

CET update and Area activityABDO member support manager,Barry Duncan, reminded members ofthe targets that he had proposed atthe previous Consultation Day. He waspleased to report that all Areas hadmet those targets by submitting theirplans for 2013 and providing 12 CETpoints for the year. He recognised thedesire by Areas to deliver provision totheir members and expressed histhanks to Areas for achieving thetargets. Since the new GOC schemewas likely to require registrants toobtain half their CET points byattendance at events, financialplanning would allow for an increasein Area grants. Barry said he wouldlook at developing roadshows andweb-based seminars, and would beseeking sponsorship for Area meetings.He stressed that the GOC had still notfinalised the details of the new CETscheme, which made forwardplanning difficult. For example, theGOC had decided that 50 per cent ofCET points should be achieved byinteractive means but had not definedits interpretation of ‘interactive’.

Barry then outlined continued workingwith LOCSU and the OpticalConfederation, noting that he wouldbe hosting a joint meeting with

Optometry Scotland, Optometry Walesand Optometry Northern Ireland inFebruary 2013 and would shortly bemeeting representatives of the DVLAto discuss tenders for visual fieldstesting. His projects for 2013 wouldinclude guidance brochures onchildren’s dispensing and internetdispensing, and delivery of CET inremote locations. A short discussionthen took place about visual fieldtesting for the DVLA.

There followed a discussion on peerreview facilitator training and Barrywelcomed the high number of offersreceived from practices willing to hostpeer discussions. He undertook tokeep Area committees informed ofpeer review opportunities within theirAreas and noted that a pack of casestudy scenarios had been developedfor use by facilitators. With regard tosponsorship, a request was made thatAreas be kept informed of anyapproaches made by Barry topotential sponsors, so that Areas couldavoid contacting the same sponsorsat the same time. Regarding lack offirm information about the new CETscheme, Barry suggested that Areasplan their activities as normal andtailor them accordingly as the finaldetails became available from theGOC.

Website and promotionAt this year’s open forum, the ABDObulletin board was commended asbeing of great value to locumpractitioners. In this connection,mention was made of the locumregister maintained by Katie Docker. It was suggested that members wouldfind it useful to have a map of all the

Areas on the main website and TonyGarrett agreed that this should bedone. There followed a discussion onthe use of the bulletin board andwebsite to engender greater memberengagement and educate the widerpublic.

Tony pointed out that these were twoseparate issues – the use of thewebsite internally for members, andthe promulgation of information forthe public. Whilst ABDO had begun todevelop initiatives to help theprofession to promote itself, he felt thatany centrally developed publiccampaign would be more effective ifdeveloped jointly with the otheroptical bodies. Dispensing opticianswere only part of the wider spectrumof optical services and informationproduced solely by ABDO would notaddress the need for public educationabout the sector as a whole. Tony alsocautioned against action in isolationon the grounds that this coulddamage relations with the otherbodies, which might then decide topursue their own initiatives. In addition,the production of high quality web-based information was very costly andcould not be funded by ABDO alone.

Concern was expressed that a jointlyproduced generic campaign mightnot make it sufficiently clear thatdispensing opticians were the bestqualified to undertake dispensing, norgive sufficient prominence to servicesprovided by members. Comment wasmade that members would notaccept an increase in theirsubscriptions in order to fundexpensive improvements to ABDO’swebsite facilities aimed at the public.

ABDO President’s Day

Julian Silburn new chairman of Area 10Fiona Anderson from Area 12, Ian Anderson from Area 11, Amy Seaman from Area 2 and Lesley-AnnMurray from Area 11

Continued overleaf

It was pointed out that a central sourceof information was already availablein the form of the Eyecare Trust.

Mention was made of themembership certificates sent out someyears ago, and their usefulness as ameans of professional promotion. Itwas noted that ABDO window stickersalso remained available and it wasagreed to publicise these in thenewsletter. It was suggested that thewindow stickers could be numberedwith the year of issue and changedevery year in terms of colour and/ordesign, to encourage members tochange them regularly. Katie Dockerreminded members that channels ofdistribution already existed in the formof the journal and the annualrenewals. It was suggested that thewindow sticker should refer to‘dispensing optician’ rather than‘optician’ as currently, to avoidpotential public confusion withoptometrists.

Doubt was expressed about theeffectiveness of promotional materialssuch as window stickers, andcomment was made that there shouldbe greater concentration ondeveloping the website, including a

promotional campaign by ABDO. TonyGarrett reiterated his concerns aboutan independent campaign, whichcould damage relations with the otheroptical bodies and make nodifference to the public. He alsopointed out that a large number ofpractices employed no dispensingopticians at all, which added to thecomplexity of developing a clearcampaign message.

Motivation of membersDisappointment was expressed thatthe membership had rejected theproposed change of name of theAssociation. It was confirmed thatalthough the new Articles would allowmany items to be dealt with undertheir associated regulations, under theCompanies Act certain core issues,including any change to theAssociation’s name, still had to besubmitted to the membership andapproval required 75 per cent of castvotes. It was felt that a fundamentalproblem lay in an inability to motivatesufficient members to vote.

Mention was made of a comment onthe bulletin board that nointroductions were made when a newmember attended an Area meeting.

All agreed the importance of makingnew members feel welcome andinvolved, and that everything possibleshould be done to put right anymisconceptions that they might haveabout Area committees. The view wasexpressed that this applied to allmembers, regardless of their mode ofpractice. There should be nodiscrimination against members whoworked for the major multiples, whichdid, after all, employ around a third ofABDO’s members. ABDO’s corefunction was to support all itsmembers, regardless of practicebackground.

Tribute was paid to the way in whichthe leadership had handled the namechange issue, particularly in the light ofadverse comments on the bulletinboard. This led to a discussion onunanimity within the Board and it waspointed out that individual Boardmembers’ views were not relevant,since any motion put forward by theBoard was based on full discussionand a majority vote in favour. Boardmembers were elected by thosemembers whose interests they weretrying to serve and based theirjudgements on members’ bestinterests. n


Amy Seaman and Linda Matthias from Area 2 Keith Dickenson from Area 2 and in theforeground Lesley-Ann Murray from Area 11

Unfortunately it has not been possible to publish an approved CET article in this month's issue. This is due to the latepublication by the GOC of the new CET rules, and the delays in the approval system setup.

However, the CET articles published September - December (6 points) reopened on 2 January, and will close on10 March, offering another chance for those who did not enter in 2012 (duplicate/re-entries cannot be accepted). It is hoped that the article scheduled for publication in January will be published in the February issue.

Manchester Central – a great venue2013 BCLA Medalist, Judith Morris

‘Inspiring for the future’ is the theme of the37th British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)Clinical Conference and Exhibition, to be heldfrom 6-9 June at Manchester Central

With registration opening thismonth, and 100 free weekend

packages on offer, the Association isgearing up for a busy new year. BCLApresident, Dr Catharine Chisholm,said: “For more than 30 years theBCLA has been recognising andcelebrating past achievements in thefield of contact lenses and theanterior eye – but we must also lookto the future and how we can inspireboth new and existing members ofthe contact lens profession andindustry. From world-class speakerson topics such as innovations in lensmaterials, contact lens comfort andkeratoconus management, to ourfirst-ever business session and peerdiscussion groups, we hope to inspireall delegates – in contact lenspractice, in research and in business.”

New business angleBringing a new dimension to theprogramme will be the conference’sfirst-ever business session, entitled‘Understanding the business ofcontact lenses’, to be held on

Sunday 9 June from 10am to 3.45pm.Peter Ivins of optical businessconsultancy, Purple Ivy, will give thekeynote address and chair thesession. Peter said: “We will bedrawing on some real expertise bothwithin the industry and, perhaps moreimportantly, from outside the industryto give advice and tips on what reallydrives the business of contact lenses.The session will be very much drivenby good, practical day-to-dayconcepts and so we have designedthe programme with that in mind.”

Delegates will explore and gain abetter understanding of: growing thecontact lens category in practice;optimising the contact lens patientjourney; and retaining patients andreducing drop-outs. A specialSunday-only rate is available, whichwill also give delegates entry to theExhibition (10am to 2pm), lunch andrefreshments, and the chance tohear from 2013-14 BCLA President,Andy Yorke, during the closingceremony. Both BCLA members and

non-members who book a placebefore the early bird deadline of 8March will receive a discounted rate.

Down to practicalitiesBack by popular demand will be afull-day track, Practical ContactLenses, for delegates wishing toexplore the more practical elementsof day-to-day contact lens practice.This CET session, to be chaired byBCLA Council member (optometricrepresentative) Sheetal Patel onSaturday 8 June from 9.30am to 2pm,will feature presentations from BCLAMedalist, Judith Morris, and keynotespeaker Professor Eric Papas, as wellas College of Optometrists assessor,Sheetal. Topics will include: crisismanagement in contact lenspractice; rigid lenses in moderncontact lens practice; managingcontact lenses in your pre-reg year;and a corneal RGP fitting workshop.

There are eight CET workshops tochoose from this year, running onThursday and Friday 6 and 7 June, allof which can be booked online atwww.bcla.org.uk: • ‘Digital imaging and analysis of the cornea and anterior eye segment with ocular coherence tomography’ with Elaine Lucas andKen Binns

• ‘Fitting irregular corneas with a newmini scleral design utilising topography’ with Caroline Burnett Hodd and Katie Harrop

• ‘Scleral lenses for keratoconus and corneal transplant’ with Ken Pullum and Vijay Anand

• ‘Profiling the presbyope’ with Mark Chatham and Bradley Rogers

• ‘Achieving success with orthokeratology’ with Dr Robert Gerowitz and Johann Simonsen

• ‘OCT imaging of the anterior eye’ with Stefan Bandlitz and Dr Andreas

Prepare to beinspired


Berke • ‘Novel diagnostic methods for the assessment of the anterior eye’ withProfessor Wolfgang Sickenberger and Marc Schulze

• ‘Systematic fitting of corneo-scleral lenses’ with Paul Rose and Jennifer Choo

The 2013 Clinical Spotlight sessionsare:• ‘Introducing specialist services into routine practice‘ with Dr Shehzad Naroo, Nick Rumney, Peter Frampton and Neelam Patel

• ‘Anterior eye record keeping: exploring how to enhance clinical practice’ with Professor James Wolffsohn, Judith Morris and Caroline Christie

In another first, the conference willhost Peer Discussion Groups to helpdelegates meet the demands ofenhanced CET scheme. Delegatesmust pre-register for these sessions,which will use generic contact lensrecords, in groups of eight with afacilitator, and provide three CETpoints. Email [email protected] forfurther details or visit the BCLAwebsite, www.bcla.org.uk

Industry showcaseWith more than 90 per cent of floorspace already sold and a fullprogramme of sessions booking up forthe Exhibitors’ Pavilion, the 2013 BCLAExhibition is a must-attend event forall those in contact lens practice.Exhibition visitors will be able to findout about the very latesttechnological developments incontact lenses and care products,diagnostic equipment, dry eyetherapies, nutritionals, practicesoftware, imaging solutions and more.The free, three-day exhibition will runfrom Friday 7 June to Sunday 9 June,opening from 10am to 6pm on Fridayand Saturday, and 10am to 2pm onSunday. The Exhibitors’ Pavilion willoperate during coffee breaks andlunchtimes only so delegates won’tmiss out the free sessions. To seewho’ll be there, view the BCLA 2013Clinical Conference section of theBCLA website, www.bcla.org.uk

The BCLA Clinical Conference isrenowned for its excellent socialprogramme. The annual welcomedrinks reception will be open to all asusual on Thursday 7 June at 6pm.Johnson & Johnson Vision Care will

host this year’s Patron event – alsoopen to all – on Friday 7 June. NewBCLA members (from June 2012) and2013 BCLA Fellows will be invited to aspecial drinks reception on Saturday 8June at 7pm prior to the gala dinner,which will be themed – ‘Year of theContact Lens Chinese Banquet’. Theaccompanying person activity onFriday 7 June is a lunch cruise to TheLowry and on Saturday 8 June,Discover Manchester tour.

Discounts andfree packagesBCLA members with a minimum oftwo consecutive years of membershipqualify for a loyalty discount and cansave almost 45 per cent on the fulldelegate rate, if booking by the earlybird deadline of 8 March. Those whojoin the Association prior to bookingon 8 March will still save almost 25 percent on this rate. Rates plus termsand conditions can be found in theonline Clinical Conference andExhibition brochure atwww.bcla.org.uk

Once again the BCLA, in associationwith its exhibitors, is offering 100delegates an exclusive invitation toattend the weekend of the ClinicalConference for free. The freedelegate package includes freeSaturday and Sunday delegate pass,one gala dinner ticket and Saturdaynight accommodation at adesignated hotel. Applicants must bea BCLA member, have not attendeda previous BCLA Clinical Conferencewithin the last three years, beregistered with the GOC or GMC andreside in the UK or Republic of Ireland.This offer is not open to students orpre-registration students and will bewithdrawn once 100 delegates haveregistered. For full terms andconditions, visit www.bcla.org.uk n

BCLA news

Keynote speaker, Professor Eric Papas Exhibition 90 per cent soldEight workshops to choose from

Keynote speakers• BCLA Medalist, Judith Morris (UK): ‘Two steps forward, one step back’• Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture, Dr Mitra Tavakoli (UK): ‘Corneal confocal microscopy: beyond

corneal defects. Translational studies in diabetes and neurology’• Dr Florence Malet (France): ‘Management of keratoconus’• Associate Professor Eric Papas (Australia): ‘Through my aching eyes: reflections on the

perennial problem of contact lens discomfort’• Professor Brian Tighe (UK): ‘Surface properties and ocular compatibility of silicone hydrogels’

Sponsors:• Patron: Alcon, CooperVision and Johnson & Johnson Vision Care• Platinum: Bausch + Lomb• Gold: David Thomas Contact Lenses/Menicon, Sauflon and Topcon

Premium Exhibitor: UltraVision CLPL

Eye charities join forcesFight for Sight has joined forces withthe Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, theInternational Glaucoma Association,the Macular Disease Society,Nystagmus Network, Olivia’s Visionand RP Fighting Blindness to invest£90,000 into six new eye researchprojects.

The research, which will take placein universities and hospitals acrossthe UK, including Moorfields Eye

Hospital, Glasgow CaledonianUniversity, the University ofBirmingham, the UCL Institute ofChild Health and the UCL Institute ofOphthalmology, will investigate theconditions retinoblastoma,glaucoma, macular disease,nystagmus, uveitis and retinitispigmentosa.

Dr Dolores Conroy, director ofresearch at Fight for Sight, said: “This


Optical body leaders at the BCLA conference

President joins panelat PioneersABDO President, JenniferBrower, joined a panel ofoptical body leaders at the 9th PioneersConference of the BritishContact Lens Association(BCLA) to discussprofessional and regulatoryissues affecting contactlens practice.

On the panel were DavidShannon, chairman of theAssociation of Optometrists(AOP), Don Grocott,chairman of the OpticalConfederation, Dr KamleshChauhan, President of theCollege of Optometrists,and BCLA President, DrCatharine Chisholm, whotogether fielded questionsfrom a 200-strong audienceof BCLA membersattending the annualconference in November.

Asked by one member

iPad Minipromotion

what could be done aboutpatients substituting theircontact lenses online,David Shannon respondedby saying it was “appalling”that legislation allowed thisto happen, adding that theAOP was lobbying Brusselson the matter. Dr Chauhanpointed out that the GOCwould require evidence inorder to introduce newlegislation.

Another audience membersuggested that “theproblem would never goaway unless we find outwhy people went online”,suggesting the public didn’tunderstand the value of aprofessional consultationand that practitioners stilldidn’t charge enough fortheir services.

One BCLA member told theaudience how she had

come across a shop in alarge mall blatantly sellingnovelty contact lensesillegally. Dr Chisholm saidthe BCLA would look into areporting mechanism inorder to create a register ofincidents where patientshad experienced adverseocular events after buyingcontact lenses online.Jennifer Brower noted thatthe GOC had had somesuccess with dealing withillegal suppliers.

Other issues raised duringthe discussion were thevalue of the enhanced CETscheme, whetherkeratometers were stillrelevant in practice, how to grow independentprescribing, and whethertoday’s undergraduatecourses offered enoughcontact lens fitting andbusiness tuition. n

research is absolutely vital, both forpeople living with leading causes ofsight loss who have extremelylimited treatment options, and forthose of us who are losing their sightthrough rare eye conditions. Byjoining forces . . . our aim is tocombine our expertise to identifyinnovative ways of bringing hope tothe millions of people who arecurrently living with visualimpairment.” n

Pennine Optical has 50iPad Minis to give awayto opticians who placeorders for £2,000 or morefor fashion frames fromthe current Penninecollection.

Our photograph showsmodel ST023 from thecompany’s new StreetEyewear collection beinglaunched this month.

“Street Eyewear is afabulous new collectionof high fashion hand-made acetate and metalunisex styles targetingthe young adult market,”said Sheila Moodie ofPennine. “Each model issupplied with a beautifullightweight brandedcase and we areexpecting huge demandfor this innovativerange.” n

Bag an iPad Mini

Newsbrief

The President’s diary

Jennifer Brower

Newsbrief

Happy new year toeveryone and I hope youare refreshed from theChristmas break. My 2013diary is already filling upfast with meetings andevents and I look forwardto more Area visits over thenext few months.

One of the features ofpresidential life is the largenumber of events to which Iam invited. No sooner had Ireturned from the IOA inAustralia in October than Iwas off to Leeds and theArea 2 CET Sunday. Therewas a varied programme oflectures, including one ofmine on low vision, a posterquiz and a mini exhibition.Justin and Paula Hall werein attendance with theABDO bookshop and atotal of eight CET pointswere on offer for the day. A very good attendancejustified the hard work putin by the Area 2 committeeand the feedback wasexcellent. Day long eventshave become a verypopular format with theAreas as the opportunity forgetting a clutch of CETpoints in one go seems to

appeal to members, andshould prove to be a goodoption with the newrequirement for interactiveCET.

Over the next four weeks Iflew to Gothenburg for theautumn meeting of theEuropean Council ofOptometry and Optics(ECOO) where, pleasingly,unanimous support wasdeclared for the role of thedispensing optician and theneed to recognise itsimportance when interpretingthe spectacle prescription.ECOO is developing aEuropean Diploma inOptics, which includesrefraction and contactlenses, and which will bethe dispensing equivalentof the existing EuropeanDiploma in Optometry.

Back in the UK I attendedthe College of Optometrists’graduation ceremony, metup with representatives ofSeeAbility for furtherdiscussions about patientswith learning disabilities,hosted the President’sConsultation Day in London,met with the GOC,

attended meetings of theABDO CET and LVcommittees, the ABDOCollege Trustees and theBoard, attended severaldinners, took part in theBCLA Pioneers Day, and atthe end of the monthgraduated around 200 newdispensing opticians at ourGraduation Ceremony inCanterbury Cathedral.

The graduation was aglittering ceremony,enhanced this year by theintroduction of graduationgowns featuring the newcolours of green and gold,and I was very proud to bethe first President to wear abeautiful new gown withmagnificent embroideryand gold oak leaf trim. Oakleaf symbolises strength,heroism and victory – veryapt for ABDO members! Theceremony went without ahitch, due in no small partto the excellent work of theABDO team, and it reallywas a day to remember(see report page 4). It waswonderful to welcome somany new members to ourgreat profession and towish them well in theircareers.

We all hope that graduationis the start of a professionallife which will progresswithout problems orfinancial worries but it is asad fact that some of ourmembers fall on hard times,

maybe as a result of illness,an accident, divorce oreven redundancy, and arefaced with being unable tomeet their financialcommitments. The ABDOBenevolent Fund offers helpand advice to memberswith financial problems but,over the years, we haveseen a very significantincrease in the number ofapplications from memberswith high levels of creditcard debt.

Regretfully, the Fund doesnot have sufficient reservesto clear this sort of debt butas a service to members ithas recently formed apartnership with theStepChange debt charity(formerly known as CCCS –the Consumer CreditCounselling Service).StepChange offers freeexpert advice andpractical help for all sorts ofdebt problems and can actas an intermediarybetween members andcreditors. It also providesindividual debtmanagement plans andthe full range of servicescan be viewed atwww.stepchange.org. Formore information or areferral to StepChangeemail Jane Burnand [email protected] or call her on 020 72985102.

Jennifer Brower

If you have a job vacancy in your practice, pleaseremember that the Situations Vacant section in theBulletin Board area of the ABDO website provides youwith a quick and easy facility to advertise completelyfree-of-charge. n

Eye Health indicator confirmed

Charity opens clinic inBirmingham

Dignitaries open new clinic


Volunteers, sponsors andhomeless people greetedthe Lord Mayor ofBirmingham, John Lines,when he opened a neweyecare centre inBirmingham.

Vision Care for HomelessPeople’s new centre, withinthe SIFA Fireside facility inAllcock St, provides eyeexaminations and glassesas a first step for those inthe Midlands needing helpto reintegrate into society.

Charity chair, Elaine Styles,an optometrist atMoorfields Eye Hospital,

said: “Sadly many peoplestruggle with poor visionand when you arehomeless that is an added,and sometimes, majorcomplication. Charity startsat home and we aredelighted to bring this newfacility to SIFA Fireside.”

Our photograph shows theLady Mayoress ofBirmingham, KathleenLines, Lord Mayor ofBirmingham, councillorJohn Lines, chair ofBirmingham VCHP sub-committee, Jill Lambert,and the MD of VCHPHarinder Paul. n

The eye health sector haswelcomed details of how the firstever Public Health Indicator forpreventable sight loss will bemeasured.

From April 2013 this indicator will beintroduced as part of the PublicHealth Outcomes Framework inEngland and will monitor the majorcauses of preventable sight loss inadults.

Public Health England, theorganisation responsible for the

framework, will assess how manypeople are certified as sightimpaired (partially sighted) orseverely sight impaired (blind) andhave lost their sight from glaucoma,age-related macular degenerationand diabetic retinopathy.

Anita Lightstone, UK Vision Strategyprogramme director and chiefoperations officer for Vision 2020 UK,said: “This major achievement isone further crucial step on ourjourney to improving the eye healthof the nation. We must continue to

work together to ensure Health andWellbeing Boards, Public Healthprofessionals, ClinicalCommissioning Groups and the newLocal Eye Health Networks reflectthis new Indicator in their JointHealth and Wellbeing Strategies,their Joint Strategic NeedsAssessments and commissioningand service development plans.”

The briefing, ‘Preventing avoidablesight loss: a public health priority’, is available at www.commissioningforeyecare.org.uk n

Helping to shapeCollege’s futureGaynor Williams andAngela McNamee havebeen appointed to theBoard of Trustees of ABDOCollege.

Angela, who has beeninvolved in the education,training and examining ofdispensing opticians formore than 30 years, said:“I’m immensely proud ofthe reputation which ABDOCollege has justifiablyearned for providing the‘gold standard’ inophthalmic dispensingtraining, and I’m honouredto be given this chance toplay an active role inshaping its future directionand aspirations.

“I hope that my

background, in addition tomy experience as an ABDOdirector, will enable me tomake a worthwhilecontribution to anorganisation which hasalready achieved so muchin such a short time,”Angela added.

Gaynor said she hoped herperspective as a paststudent at Godmershamwould help her to bringfresh ideas to the Board.She told Dispensing Optics:“I am very excited to bejoining the Board of Trusteesof ABDO College, and amlooking forward to helpingthe Trustees and staffcontinue its excellence inoptical education both inthe UK and overseas.” n

Telephone 01206 734155Fax 01206 734156

BCLA seeks ConferenceProgramme Coordinator

The General Optical Council (GOC) has frozen its 2013-14registration fee at £260 – a third consecutive reduction inreal terms.

The freeze follows fee cuts in the two previous years,meaning the Council will have cut its fee for optometristsby 27.5 per cent in real terms since April 2010.

GOC chief executive and registrar, Samantha Peters,said: “We have been working hard over the last threeyears to improve our efficiency and make the bestpossible use of resources. Particularly as the economicclimate remains difficult, it is vital that our fees are nohigher than necessary. When setting our fees we ensure

Registration fees put on ice


The British Contact LensAssociation (BCLA) isseeking to appoint aConference ProgrammeCoordinator (CPC).

“This is a fantasticopportunity for anexperienced contact lensprofessional to coordinatethe educational andscientific content of theAssociation’s prestigiousannual ClinicalConference,” said BCLAsecretary general, VivienFreeman.

that we remain sufficiently resourced to fulfill ourregulatory functions and keep protecting the public whileminimising the burden on registrants.”

The draft budget has seen the GOC absorb the costs ofscheduling more fitness to practise hearings this yearwithout passing the burden on to registrants, it said. Theincreased number of hearing dates will help the GOC’scontinuing efforts to speed up its fitness to practiseprocess.

The low income fee for registrants earning less than£12,000 per year has also been frozen at £160. Thestudent registration fee will remain frozen at £20. n

The CPC will help plan thefour-day conferenceprogramme around a newtheme each year,recruiting keynotespeakers and presenters.Candidates are required tohave proven track recordin contact lens practice, orwithin research oracademia in the field ofcontact lenses and theanterior eye.

The post is for a minimumof 40 days per annum andthe successful applicantwill be required tocommence their duties inMay. More details aboutthe role, and how to applyby the closing date of 21January, can be found onthe BCLA website,www.bcla.org.uk n

Special 40,000th patient

Youngster is 40,000thnew patientWithin months ofcelebrating its 40thbirthday, Martyn KempOpticians (MKO) welcomedits 40,000th new patient.

At MKO’s Herries Roadpractice in Sheffield, whereMartyn Kemp founded thefirm in 1973 and is nowchairman of the 10 practice-strong firm, he presentednine-year-old Nicole Taylorfrom Southey with her firstpair of spectacles, a goodybag and her patientreference number – 40,000.

Nicole’s parents, Michaeland Susan, who have beenMKO patients for sometime, brought Nicole intothe practice for the specialpresentation.

Martyn Kemp said: “This isan important milestone forour Herries Road practiceand for the wholecompany – at just the righttime too. It is alsoappropriate that a child isthe practice’s 40,000thpatient as MKO is alwayslooking to the future.“ n

If you know of a dispensing optician, or a dependant of a dispensing optician, whomight benefit from the ABDO Benevolent Fund please get in touch with JaneBurnand on 020 7298 5102 or write to her at ABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, LondonW2 6LD. n

Frames companies getset for Optrafair

Chiccollection

Ted Baker from MondotticaLazer Junior from Continental

Successful candidates from the new WCSM BlendedLearning Level 2 Optical Customer Service Course havepraised the benefits of the technical knowledge gainedand the boost to confidence at work.

Maui Jim customer service manager, Helen Wood, hascompleted the course and is now commencing trainingfor the Level 3 Optical Practice Support examination. Shesaid: “This goes into greater detail and thankfully myemployers are supporting me in this as they see thebenefit of me being able to converse easily withdispensing opticians and to understand the terminology ofoptics.”

Keith Sheers, managing director of Optisoft, was alsoamongst the first to qualify, despite working in optics formany years. He said: “When I heard about the course, I thought it might be useful for my staff and to fill in a fewgaps in my own optical knowledge.”

The other successful candidates were Michael Stevenson,Norville customer services administrator, Paul Collinson ofHorizon Optical, Emma Silsby and Simon Walford of SeikoOptical, Lorna Prado-Marin, Molly Burbridge, Laura Lordand Kevin Porter of Rodenstock. n

Newsbrief

The countdown to Optrafairhas begun, with exhibitorsqueuing up to secure theirspace for the April show,especially framecompanies.

“Optrafair may be threemonths away but ourpreparations are wellunderway,” said NealGrimason, sales andmarketing director ofContinental Eyewear. “A plethora of new stylesare on order to make theirdebut at the show and thestand has been designed.”

For Mondottica, securingprime position exhibitionspace early was a priority,as Andy Phillips, UK salesmanager, explained:“Optrafair 2011 proved to

be one of the bestdecisions we have made; it was a great success forus and an ideal opportunityto showcase all theMondottica brands.Optrafair has become anot-to-miss date on theoptical calendar.”

Peter Beaumont, director atDunelm Optical,commented: “We aredelighted to be exhibitingat Optrafair, and it is afantastic barometer ofmarket trends for the yearahead.” Damien Klevge,business manager eyewearat Rodenstock, added: “It will be the perfectopportunity to debut theexciting new Rodenstockframes and our luxuryeyewear brands.”

www.optrafair.co.uk n

FMO candidates praisenew WCSM course

New event for fresh graduatesThe College of Optometrists and theAssociation of Optometrists (AOP) havelaunched a new joint event for newlyqualified optometrists to be held at the DeVere East Midlands Conference Centre inNottingham on 17 March.

The Fresh Eyes conference will offer expertpresentations, hands-on and interactivesessions plus a social programme and thechance to network.

Dr Kamlesh Chauhan, president of theCollege of Optometrists, said: “We allneed support to reach our goals anddevelop our skills as practitioners. TheCollege recognises this and that’s why we

are working alongside the AOP to providenewly qualified optometrists with a greatplatform to help them to progress at thiscritical time as they begin their careers.”

Karen Sparrow, AOP head of professionaldevelopment, added: “The conferenceprogramme is being designed with thespecific needs of new optometrists in mindand builds on the success of the ‘EyeOpener’ student conference. It willencourage new optometrists to begin apath of lifelong learning in a friendlyenvironment and introduce them to theopportunities that CET and scientificconferences bring to enhance theirclinical skills and make new friends.” n

French womenswear brandMorgan has launched anew campaign with thetagline, ‘Happy is the newchic’.

The eyewear collection isaimed at chic fashionistas,aged between 15 and 40,and most of the sunglassescan be glazed toprescription. The collectionis available from MenradOptics. n

Wade toastssupplier support

Drive to boostcontact lens sales

GOC in searchof new chair

Alastair Wade


Sight Care Group’s Eye Love My Local IndependentOptician campaign is helping member practices attractcontact lens patients in a new drive.

Sight Care research carried out in 2010 showed that eightout of 10 people who wore glasses had never tried contactlenses, and that a third of these people would like to knowmore about the options available to them, but have neverenquired. As part of the campaign, a bespoke contact lenspromotional pack has been provided to all memberpractices to help drive new patient enquiries.

Paul Surridge of Sight Care said: “The pack has beendesigned in partnership with Johnson & Johnson VisionCare, our key sponsor, and aims to encourage consumersto try contact lenses and help them overcome anyanxieties they may have. The pack gives our membersadvice and support on how to do this, how to target newpatients, and how to develop existing ones.” n

guarantee a personalservice from MenradOptics; they always maketime to meet and ensurethat we are happy with theoffering available. We canalways rely on getting thefull package – excellentquality, first-class personalservice and value formoney too, and that’s whywe are still growing ourbusiness with them today. n

Wade Opticians recentlytoasted a 30-yearpartnership with MenradOptics.

Founded by managingdirector Alastair Wade in2004, Wade Opticianspreviously traded for morethan 50 years as Stevenand Wade. Today, thebusiness consists of twosister businesses known asWade Opticians and Reesand Wade Optometrists.The business also offersspecialist services includedyslexia assessments,treatment through VisionTherapy and Colorimetry,and dry eye clinics.

Alastair said: “We can

• All benchmarks for October 2012 are lower than October 2011

• Turnover per eye exam is £2 higher this month than September at £150

• Sample average total dispensing decreased by 12 per cent to 88 Index points from October 2011

• Annual growth for all lens types remains positive and the year on year volume of spectacle sales is now at 6 per cent

Optician Index - October 2012 summary

The full October 2012 Optician Index report was published in the30 November 2012 issue of Optician

The General OpticalCouncil (GOC) has begunits search for a new chair to“play a key role in drivingour strategic directionthrough this current periodof regulatory reform,” saidits registrar and chiefexecutive, SamanthaPeters.

The GOC has obtained theapproval of the Council forHealthcare RegulatoryExcellence (CHRE) for theappointments process(appointments to the GOCCouncil were formerlymade by the AppointmentsCommission).

Current Council memberBrian Coulter will take onthe role of interim GOCChair until the newappointee starts, which isexpected to be inFebruary.

Mr Coulter is currently anon-executive member ofthe Human Tissue Authority,and a former member ofthe Independent TribunalService. The new appointee willreplace Anna Bradley, whostood down last October toavoid a conflict of interestswith her new role as chairof HealthWatch England. n

Contact the MembershipServices Team on

01227 73390201227 73391201227 733922

iPad app forvision site

Modular offer expanded

LOCSUcompany model

Merchandising for ‘on the go’ range

House of Better Vision website


Rodenstock’s House of Better Vision experience is nowavailable as an iPad app.

The House of Better Vision website is a virtual world withseveral experience zones that take the user on anentertaining and informative journey through the world ofRodenstock lenses and eyewear. Each area enables theuser to see how the products work through clevergraphics and interactive animation.

The new app, designed for the iPad 2, is available freefrom the iTunes store. Visit the House of Better Visionwebsite at www.see-better-look-perfect.com n

Lynx IDG has extended its10-year distributionagreement with Croatianframe display manufacturerand fabricator, PresentaNova.

Lynx has increased its offerof Presenta Nova productsto incorporate the entirecatalogue of modulardisplay furniture and everyelement of the Croatiancompany’s portfolio.

“The new line of modular

fixtures and fittings will beoffered alongside Lynx IDGcustom build shopfits andare set to fill a void in themarket not currentlyeffectively catered for,” saida spokesperson for thecompany.

“High quality customshopfits will always be indemand and that is an areawe have hugely respectedexpertise in throughout theprofession,” they continued. www.lynxidg.com n

Cheshire Local OpticalCommittee (LOC) hasbecome the second LOCafter Stockport tosuccessfully complete anNHS Any Qualified Provider(AQP) procurementapplication.

Primary Eyecare (Cheshire)Ltd (Cheshire LOC’scompany) has beenawarded AQP status by theRoyal Vale and SouthCheshire CCGs for theprovision of a communityOcular HypertensionMonitoring Service. The newservice is expected to see1,000 patients per year inoptical practices, whowould previously have beenmonitored in hospital.

In October 2012, PrimaryEyecare (Stockport) Ltd(Stockport LOC’s company)achieved AQP status, whichwill allow practices in theStockport LOC area toprovide a Minor EyeConditions Service from April2013.

Polaroid Contact Lens Solutions haslaunched a new suite ofmerchandising material to launchtheir ‘on the go’ range of eyecareproducts.

The materials, offered initially only toindependents via Mid-Optic and

Three-sixty, bear the distinctive ‘blueeye’ visual unique to the PolaroidContact Lens Solutions eyecarerange, and includes a counterdisplay unit. Inside each unit, theproducts will be housed in shelf-ready display cartons. The rangeincludes the newly launched

Contactspod, the world’s firstdisposable contact lens case thatcomes pre-filled with a sterile,hydrating multipurpose solution. Alsonew to market is Beauty Eye Drops,preservative free and said to besuitable for anyone, includingcontact lens wearers. n

LOCSU Chairman, AlanTinger, said: “I can’t beginto say how pleased I amthat the LOC companyconcept that LOCSUcreated to help LOCsdevelop new services hasnow taken off. In 2008, wellahead of its time, LOCSUincorporated a separatecompany for each LOC inEngland ready for singleprovider commissioning.”

“AQP is a relatively new NHSprocurement process for thecommissioning of services,”continued Mr Tinger. “Thecomplex applicationprocess potential providersneed to go through in anAQP procurement is difficultfor individual practices tonavigate through. The LOCcompany can now bebrought to life and used asa contracting vehicle,effectively for a consortiumof practices in such bidsand for bids where an area-wide, single provider isspecified by thecommissioners.” n

Update from IrelandJillian Flaherty of IADO reports from across the Irish Sea

IADO news

Area 5 (Midlands): Coveringthe core competenciesAt Area 5’s committeemeeting on 5 December, atthe Fradley Arms nr Lichfield,there were two apologies -Simon Poole and JohnSouthgate. John hadundergone a kidneytransplant almost a fortnightbefore, and the committeewas pleased to hear that hewas making steady progress.

The main topic of discussionwas to primarily finalise theprogramme for Area 5’sspring CET day at theRiverside Centre, Derby, onMonday 4 March 4. Thecommittee hopes to beable to offer around six CETpoints across the new GOCcore competences. Fulldetails of the programmewill be available shortly. As in2012, the day will runalongside a contact lenspeer review/discussionsession worth three CETpoints. When booking,members can indicate ifthey would like to take partin this review please.

The autumn CET day will beheld on Monday 7 Octoberat the Arden Hotel,Birmingham, near to theairport and NEC. Aspreviously, the cost for bothevents is £20 per ABDOmember (and students) and£45 for non-members withan early bird offer of £15available for the Octoberdate when booked on orbefore 4 March.

Clive Marchant, Areachairman, said: “Our aimover these two CET days willbe to offer delegates 12 CETpoints covering all nineGOC core competences.”

For further information or tobook your place, pleasecontact Ian Hardwick [email protected] or on 07814 558343. n

The 2012 AGM of the IrishAssociaiton of DispensingOpticians (IADO) tookplace on 25 November inthe GreenIsle Hotel, NaasRoad, Dublin. As it was anelection year, thecommittee formallystepped down andmembers wereencouraged to comeforward for election.

The AGM was followed bythree very interesting CETlectures. Peter O’Donnellfrom Essilor Ireland spokeon ‘Progressive lenstroubleshooting’. AdrianHuluean from TransitionsOptical spoke on thebenefits of dispensingTransitions lenses tochildren and the dangers ofUV exposure to a child’seyes, and Ian Jordan spokeon orthoscpics and the useof coloured filters inpractice to help a range ofoptical problems. The IADOcommittee would like tothank members andspeakers who travelled andgave their time, especiallyas the weather wasn’t thebest.

Opticians Act and CORUThere has been littlemovement in terms of the

move to abolish theOpticians Act and regulatethe profession under theumbrella of CORU. CORU isthe council which will beresponsible for protectingthe public by regulatinghealth and social careprofessionals. The maincause for concern for IADOis with regards to the saleand dispensing ofspectacles.

The 1956 Opticians Act andthe 2003 OpticiansAmendment provide a vitalrole as it gives protection tothe professional titles ofoptometrist and dispensingoptician, gives statutorystanding to the definition of‘spectacles’ (includingcontact lenses, plano andcosmetic lenses) andprohibits the sale ordispense of spectacles byanybody other than aregistered optician. TheDepartment of Health hasstated that it does notintend to change thisaspect of the Act. However,the new legislation willcover 12 differentprofessions and theindividual requirements ofthe optical profession donot completely fit in withthis.

Newsbrief

Areanews

Compulsory CETCompulsory CET wasimplemented for IADOmembers at the 2010 AGM.Each member is required toaccumulate a minimum of21 points over a three-yearperiod. These points can beaccumulated by attendingCET courses, seminars,workshops and CET articlesin various opticalpublications. Members areresponsible for keeping averifiable record of CETpoints and to return this tothe IADO office at the endof the three-year cycle.Since CET was implementedin 2010, IADO has alreadyprovided 21 designated CETpoints. If you’re a littlebehind on your points thereis no need to panic just yet;the current cycle ends inNovember 2013 and thereare many events plannedfor the year which wewould really like to meetmembers at.

Full details of the new IADOcommittee will be given inthe next article.

Jillian Flaherty FBDO MIADOis a member of the IADOcommittee. To contact her email [email protected] n


Chris Hunt ruminates on the independent’smake-up, and recalls a dear friend who providedmuch fun and laughter

Avoid the psychopathsand cherish the clowns

that, as I had always suspected, I have had exposure to individuals withpsychopathic tendencies during mytime in optics, I have also had thepleasure of encountering the mostlovable and talented clowns. Thenews that Kent based dispensingoptician, Tim Burgess, had been takenfrom us prematurely this summerbrought a deep sadness to the heartsof everyone who had been fortunateenough to be acquainted with himthrough the years. My first encounterwith Tim was way back in the mid1960s when he joined the practice Iwas working at as a trainee dispensingoptician and I was his mentor. He wasstraight out of grammar school andalready a budding musician andhighly competent drummer. TheBeatles were taking the world by stormand Tim arrived on his first day lookingthe spitting image of John Lennon withhis Beatle haircut, round-eyespectacles, drainpipe trousers andwinkle picker shoes.

In those days, all work betweenoptical factories and practicestravelled in cardboard boxes andalthough it sounds quite shocking inthe modern world of recycling, thesemounds of disused boxes had to beburned on a regular basis in the smallgarden behind the practice. Tim wasgiven the task. About 10 minutes hadpast when a voice beside me said,“Please sir, I need to go home”. I turned round to find Tim standing

kick in. It just meant that in mystrategic thinking, I put those withmore than one practice in the samebracket as the groups and chains,which constitute the best part ofFODO. In my structure, this entiresector becomes Associated GroupRetail Opticians or AGRO for short(because that is what they frequentlygave me). Put in this simple context,my question to those discussing thistopic remains the same: “Where is thebody which truly represents thecollective voice of independents andwhich can sit alongside the FODOplayers with equal voice and withequal commercial acumen?’

Send in the clownsI think everyone would agree thatoptics, along with medicine anddentistry, is very much a ‘people’profession. It has never ceased tosurprise me, therefore, just howfrequently one comes acrosspractitioners in all three professions,who clearly have an inherent hate of‘people’. This conundrum has justbeen solved for me, however, byreading the latest tome by the authorJon Ronson (of The Men Who Stare atGoats fame). The book is entitled, ThePsychopath Test, and I highlyrecommend it. I promise you workingwith your colleagues and meetingswith your peers will never be the sameagain!

Whilst I can now say with certainty

I was absolutely delighted that my lastarticle for this journal, ‘The chains ofindependence’, not only proved to bea catalyst for much discussion on theplight of independent opticians withinthe optical sector, but that I was alsoinvited to join some of the discussionforums. What did surprise me, however,was the wide range of opinion as towhat exactly constitutes an‘independent’.

Having spent more than threedecades of my optical career in theservice sector to independents, thedefinition for me is really quitestraightforward. When I refer to‘independents’ I am talking aboutsingle practitioner registered opticaloutlets which, in the collective sense,would be Associated Single PracticeRetail Opticians or ASPRO for short(because they have the biggestcommercial headaches). Suppliersknow only too well that when a singlepractitioner expands to more thanone practice, they start to want tonegotiate as a group and when theyexpand beyond a couple, want tonegotiate as a corporation!

Now, do not get me wrong, I havenever had a problem with that. Oncea business starts to expand beyond asingle location all of the rules changeand it has to start thinking in a more‘corporate’ sense; economies ofscale, a common business ethos andunified management controls have to

beside me with his drainpipe trousershaving split around the entire crotchand now resembling a pair ofcowboy’s chaparejos. It was to be thebeginning of my fun-filled life with Tim.

Rabbit in the flashbulbsThe practice was a medical eyecentre with the eye examinationsexecuted by ophthalmologists, one ofwhom had held the rank of a NavalCommander. He was alwaysimmaculately dressed and a realstickler for perfection. The sight testingwas carried out using a wall mounted,rotating drum test type, which wasilluminated by two internal electriclight bulbs. If a bulb happened to blowduring this consultant’s clinic, all hellwould break loose and whoever wasavailable had to leave whatever theywere doing and immediately race uptwo flights of stairs with a replacementbulb. On this particular day, Tim (stillonly weeks into his role) was the onlyperson free and so he followed theusual procedure. The problems startedwhen he went to the spare bulbcupboard only to find it empty.

This, however, didn’t faze Tim becausehe remembered that he had seen mepurchase light bulbs during my lunchhour for my own personal use. Whatdid not register, was that these werephotoflood bulbs for my homephotographic studio, which burnt withthe radiance of sunlight andgenerated enormous heat. Tim being

Tim replaced both the bulbs in the unitwhich, when switched on, lit the roomwith a brilliance not seen outside ofthe Blackpool illuminations. The cliniccontinued and all was peace andcalm for about half an hour whenpandemonium ensued. The plasticpanels containing the Snellen chartshad progressed firstly into a series ofitalics and then finally into a moltenmess. My lasting recollection of theevent was Tim hurrying down the stairswith an armful of red hot debris andthis very statuesque but highly irateconsultant screaming at hisdisappearing rear, “You big stiff!”

Going through theroofAs Tim progressed through his trainingand supplemented his earnings withregular drumming gigs, his penchantfor flashy cars grew. After his Beatleperiod, he progressed to his PeterWyngarde period. Peter PaulWyngarde was an English actor bestknown for playing the character JasonKing, a bestselling novelist turnedsleuth, in two British television series inthe late 1960s and early 1970s. Histrademark style was a mass of blackcurly hair, black moustache and to beclothed in black from head to foot. To accompany this image Tim boughthimself an old Mark X Jaguar – blackof course. This car was huge but for acar of the period had everyconceivable luxury feature including asunroof.

Our practice closed every Wednesdayafternoon and Tim used to travel tomy nearby flat where I had let him setup his drum kit in the basement. Onthis particular day, a water main hadburst in the High Street and temporarytraffic lights had been installed,causing traffic chaos. As I pulled up atthe lights, I heard this sound systemthumping away behind me quickly torealise that it was Tim in his huge carwith a friend in the passenger seat. Wesat in the traffic for an age; Tim wasquickly bored so it came as no surpriseto me, to look in my rear view mirrorand see that Tim had now climbed uponto his seat, with his body throughthe sunroof and was now drumming tothe music on his car roof. His frienddecided the music was too loud but,in an attempt to turn it down, becameconfused by the impressive array ofbuttons on the dashboard andinadvertently closed the sunroof withTim still through it. As the lightschanged, I looked back to see PeterWyngarde waving his arms in the airlike a demented conductor to acacophony of car horns.

I am pleased to say that Tim not onlywent on to become a highlysuccessful businessman in Kent but henever changed. He was also thecomplete antipathy to everypsychopath I’ve ever met and is muchmissed. I share these stories with youbecause they are just a few of thelaughter filled times I have enjoyedduring my optical career and stillencounter to this day. I think that weall too often let laughter slip from theagenda and, of course, the trials andtribulations of life sometimes makelaughter difficult. But as we enter 2013,let us make it a joint resolution to givethose psychopaths a wide berth andpursue the company of the clowns.

I wish you all a happy and laughterfilled New Year.

Chris Hunt is Upper Warden of theWorshipful Company of SpectacleMakers and president of theAssociation of Optometrists. To contacthim [email protected] n

Disjointed jottings from a DO’s desk . . .

Chris Hunt


ABDO Area plan 2013The following is a summary of anticipated CET events and points for the Areas in 2013

Date/month Venue Evening/day Anticipatedpoints available

Area 1 (North) May/June Newcastle Day 8TBC TBC TBC

Area 2 (North East) 20 March Wentbridge Evening 319 May Bradford College Day 022 October Leeds/Bradford Day 8TBC Factory visit Day 2

Area 3 (North West) 22 May Manchester Evening 35/6 October Manchester Day/evening 11

Area 4 (East Anglia) 30 January Brentwood Evening 226 March Cambridge Evening 230 May Stansted Evening 224 July TBC TBC TBC25 September TBC TBC TBCNovember TBC TBC TBC

Area 5 (Midlands) 04 March Derby Day 607 October Birmingham Day 6

Area 6 (West Wales) 03 March Cardiff Day 1003 October Bristol Day 8

Area 7 (West Country) 12 June Exeter Evening 312 September Plymouth Day 803 October Bristol Day 8

Area 8 (Wessex) February Ringwood Evening 2September TBC Day 6TBC TBC TBC

Area 9 (South East) 19 March Arundel Evening 309 June Brighton/Hove Day 827 November TBC Evening 3

Area 10 (Kent) 20 March Maidstone Evening 319 June Rye Evening 311 September Tunbridge Wells Evening 3November Godmersham Evening 3

Area 11 (London) March TBC Day 606 October TBC Day 8Two evening meetings TBC Evening 3

Area 12 (Scotland) January Glasgow Day 3March South Queensferry Evening 3May TBC Day/evening 6September Two days TBC Day 6November South Queensferry Evening 3

Note: Facilitator sessions to be held in Aberdeen, Inverness, Dundee, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Borders

Northern Ireland 13-Feb Antrim Evening 3May Antrim Evening 3September Antrim Evening 3December Antrim Evening 3

Diary of events

ABDO members are welcome to attend Area meetings in any area they wish

20 January 2013Area 12 (Scotland) at Eyecare 3000 -Two lectures, Kevin Gutsell from Nikonpresenting "The best solutions fornear/intermediate vision" and Alconpresenting "Understanding the benefitsof using toric soft contact lenses in thecorrection of astigmatism", kindlysponsored by Eyecare 3000, start from10.45, Hilton Hotel, Glasgow. For moredetails email Brenda [email protected]

4 February 2013BCLA - Evening CET meeting, London.For details visit www.bcla.org.uk

4 March 2013Area 5 (Midlands) - CET day, £20 perABDO member or student, £45 for non-members, bookings will be taken on afirst-come first-served basis, TheRiveside Centre, Derby. To reserve yourplace email [email protected] or phone 07814 558343

13-15 April 2013Optrafair 2013 - NEC Birmingham. TheUK’s largest optical trade event, it’sthe place to discover all that is new inthe optical industry, network with otherprofessionals and take advantage of

expansive educational programmes.For details visit www.optrafair.co.uk.ABDO stand S60ABDO College stand P14

13 April 2013ABDO CET Event - NEC Birmingham

14 April 2013ABDO CET Event - NEC Birmingham

14 April 2013ABDO AGM - NEC Birmingham, 5pm

14 April 2013ABDO Presidential Handover Party -NEC Birmingham, 6-8pm

17 April 2013BCLA - Evening CET meeting, London.For details visit www.bcla.org.uk

6-9 June 2013BCLA - 37th BCLA Clinical Conferenceand Exhibition. Details www.bcla.org.uk

8 July 2013Independents Day 2013 - ‘Closeencounters of the patient kind: thesequel’. For details visitwww.independentsday.co.uk n

dispensingoptics

www.abdo.org.uk

The Professional Journal of the Associationof British Dispensing Opticians

Volume 28 Number 1 of 12

EDITORIAL STAFFEditor Sir Anthony Garrett CBEAssistant Editor Jane BurnandProduction Editor Sheila HopeEmail [email protected] and News Editor Nicky CollinsonEmail [email protected] Manager Deanne GrayEmail [email protected]

ADVERTISEMENT SALESTelephone 01892 667626Email [email protected]

SUBSCRIPTIONSUK £100 Overseas £110, including postageApply to Tom VetiABDO, Godmersham Park, GodmershamKent CT4 7DTTelephone 01227 733922Email [email protected]

ABDO CETCET Coordinator Paula Stevens MA ODE BSc

(Hons) MCOptom FBDO CL(Hons)AD SMC(Tech)

ABDO CET, 5 Kingsford Business Centre, LayerRoad, Kingsford, Colchester CO2 0HTTelephone 01206 734155Email [email protected] [email protected]

CONTINUING EDUCATION REVIEW PANELKeith Cavaye FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLAAndrew Cripps FBDO (Hons) PG Cert HE FHEAKim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CLStephen Freeman BSc (Hons) MCOptom FBDO (Hons) Cert EdAbilene Macdonald Grute FBDO (Hons) SLD (Hons) LVA

Dip Dist Ed Cert Ed

Richard Harsant FBDO (Hons) CL (Hons) LVAAndrew Keirl BOptom (Hons) MCOptom FBDOPaul McCarthy FBDO PG Cert HE FHEAAngela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom

FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed

Edwin Moffatt FBDOLinda Rapley BSc FCOptom

JOURNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEERichard Crook FBDOKim Devlin FBDO (Hons) CLKevin Gutsell FBDORos Kirk FBDOAngela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom

FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed

Dispensing Optics is published byABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD

Dispensing Optics is printed byLavenham Press, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9RN© ABDO No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmittedin any form or by any means whatever without thewritten prior permission of the publishers

Dispensing Optics welcomes contributions forpossible editorial publication. However,contributors warrant to the publishers that theyown all rights to illustrations, artwork orphotographs submitted and also to copy whichis factually accurate and does not infringe anyother party’s rights

ISSN 0954 3201

Average circulation 2012: 9160 per issue - ABDOBoard certification

Those planning to sit the summer 2013 practical examinations for the Certificate in ContactLens Practice should note that the closing date for registering Supervisors and Practices forProvisional Approval is 31 January 2013.

Candidates wishing to sit the CL practical examination in summer 2013 must have at the timeof their examination application and throughout the period up to and including theirpractical examination, a supervisor and practical experience practice on the current ABDOapproved register – or have been given provisional approval following completion of asupervisor/practice registration application form.

Completed Registration application forms relevant to the SUMMER 2013 sitting must reachthe ABDO offices in Kent by 31 JANUARY 2013.

Registration documents are available upon request from Examinations & RegistrationDepartment on 01227 732921/732924 or email [email protected] n

Sitting exams this summer?

dispensingopticsDispensing Optics PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD Telephone:01892 667626 Fax:01892...

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