Public health

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible sight loss in the UK and affects over one million people, which is predicted to rise by 100,000 cases to 1.145 million people by 2030*.

The government has progressed its commitment to moving more care from hospitals to communities.

The College of Optometrists has published its first issue of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), its flagship international and interdisciplinary research journal for contemporary vision science and optometry, with its new publishing partner Springer Nature this month.

Welsh government urged to go even further to advance optometry services and meet the growing demand for community eye care.

Securing sustainable eye care in Wales

The College has issued guidance, following the recent MHRA drug safety update, which has drawn attention to a very rare risk of non-arteritic anterior ischaemic optic neuropathy (NAION) associated with weight loss drugs.

Bookings for Optometry Tomorrow 2026 are filling fast, with many popular sessions already close to capacity. Now is the time to secure your place.

Like many healthcare bodies and charities, we have become increasingly concerned about the continued rise in harmful and misleading content on X and its growing incompatibility with our values. Alongside a decline in meaningful engagement from our members on this platform, we have made the decision to stop posting content on X.

Many people across the UK are already suffering with hay fever season symptoms, with hay fever season now starting as early as February and March*.

In this guest column, Kevin Gutsell, President of ABDO, reflects on how closely aligned the professions have become – and must continue to be – as the eye care landscape evolves.

Next Scottish government urged to go even further to meet the growing need for community eye care services to prevent sight loss.

The Government’s 10-Year Health Plan is a crucial chance to expand and strengthen primary eye care by cutting hospital pressure and tackling inequalities in access across England.