Infectious diseases

Latest news

The College has provided key information to help you identify cases and guidance on managing circumstances that are relevant to optometry practices.

Supplementary guidance

The College has provided information to help you identify of cases and guidance on managing circumstances that are relevant to optometry practices.

Guidance for Professional Practice

Infection control is concerned with two main areas. Firstly, transmission from person to person, and secondly, transmission via a contaminated object.

COVID-19 archives

Advice and guidance for optical professionals on COVID-19.

Read on for the answers to your COVID-19 questions, covering a range of topics from driving and HES referrals to PPE and tonometry.

We’ve been working with governments and eye health organisations across the UK to ensure that you have the all the latest news, information and regulations relating to optometry and COVID-19 in your nation.

Since our first update on 20 March 2020, right at the start of lockdown, we’ve been providing timely, relevant news, information and guidance that you can trust.

More on infectious diseases

Join Seraphina Yap, pre-reg trainee at PLM Optometrists in Scotland, as she navigates her new life on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic with her supervisor David Cummins MCOptom DipTP (IP).

Join optometrist, Hamza Mussa MCOptom, as he reflects on his experience being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The College of Optometrists issues a statement on the amber guidance.

Our resources to help you navigate the amber phase of the pandemic.

This guidance has been developed by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth) and the College of Optometrists (CoO) in response to the pandemic and may be subject to change.

Services expand as The College of Optometrists’ survey shows 22% of people noticed their vision get worse over the course of lockdown

The Westminster government has announced the easing of lockdown measures, including the opening of non-essential shops, from 15 June.

Join optometrist, Yasmine Sahraie MCOptom, as she gives us an insight into the Emergency Eye Care Treatment team in Grampian, Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Gemma Hill MCOptom, Optometrist and Owner of Forde Opticians, as she updates us on her life in practice and search for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We've issued advice to help the general public look after their eyes during lockdown.

Join Jagdeep Singh MCOptom, Optometrist at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, for part two of his experience working in hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join optometrist, Tina Chudasama MCOptom, as she reflects on being furloughed while between jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Paddy Gunn MCOptom, Principle Optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, as he reflects on the challenges faced at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Podcast: In this episode, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom talks to Maninder Gudray MCOptom Dip TP(IP) about the impact of COVID-19 on optical practices and what practice owners could be doing to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on their practice.

Insiyah Bharmal MCOptom, Optometrist at Vision Express in Nottingham, takes you through her journey of returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Listen to the first in our short series of lockdown podcasts with Dr Parth Shah MCOptom.

Matt Roney MCOptom, Specialist Optometrist at The Royal Liverpool University Hospital, takes us through his new life in primary care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Podcast: In the first of a series of 'takeover' episodes, Dr Parth Shah MCOptom talks to Kush Mandavia MCOptom about how to take care of our own wellbeing.

Join optometrist, Furyal Mahmood MCOptom, as she reflects on her new 'normal’ after being furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The fourth and final part of Dr Deacon Harle's experiences of providing urgent and essential care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Join Jagdeep Singh MCOptom, Optometrist at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, as he takes you through his new routine, both inside and outside the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.