College of Optometrists

Planning to watch this evening’s solar eclipse? 🌒

One of our Council Members for Wales, Nkosi Yearwood MCOptom, was on BBC Cymru Wales Radio this morning, sharing eye safety advice on how to enjoy the spectacle safely.

Nkosi explained why looking directly at the can cause damage to sight, and why sunglasses don’t provide enough protection.

The best way to watch is through TV coverage or the Royal Museums Greenwich livestream, or if you haven’t managed to get a pair of eclipse sunglasses, you can make a pinhole projector.

Read The College of Optometrists guidance for the eclipse ➡️ https://coptom.uk/45mDDvS
Listen back to Nkosi on the (from 42 minutes) ➡️ https://coptom.uk/3UsopmC

Help shape the future of two community eye care pathways.

We’re looking for College of Optometrists members to represent us on two LOC Support Unit Clinical Delivery Groups:

• LOCSU Cataract Pathway Review Clinical Delivery Group
• LOCSU Children’s Vision Clinical Delivery Group

As a College representative, you’ll use your clinical experience to provide feedback on the current pathways, sharing what works well and where there are opportunities for improvement.

Both roles are voluntary, involve online meetings, and applicants must be College members who practise in England.

Find out more and apply by 21 August ➡️ https://coptom.uk/49q2mCQ

Planning to watch this week's partial solar eclipse? ☀️🌙

If you're planning to watch it, it's important to do so safely.

Looking directly at the sun can cause serious damage to your eyes. Ordinary sunglasses don't provide enough protection, and viewing the eclipse through binoculars, a camera, or a telescope still puts you at risk.

Instead, use a safe viewing method, such as a pinhole projector or certified eclipse glasses with solar filters.

Take a moment to read our simple guide on how to view the eclipse safely ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4wUGzfk

🚨CMG Updates🚨
The following Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs) have been amended and updated:

✅ Dry eye disease (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca, KCS)

✅ Nasolacrimal drainage dysfunction

Our CMGs support you in practice and offer information on the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions that present in primary and first-contact care.

College Members can log in via our website or app to explore a summary of the latest updates ➡️ https://coptom.uk/CMGUpdates

Supporting a student through CLiP?

Join us on 11 August for a live online Supervisor Drop-In, where you'll have the opportunity to meet Deputy Lead Assessor for The College of Optometrists, Ruth Bennett MCOptom, and Senior Assessor and examiner Jenny Thomas MCOptom.

They'll be answering your questions and sharing practical advice on helping your student prepare for CLiP 1R.

The session will cover:
• Preparing students for CLiP 1R
• Common questions about the programme
• Live Q&A with College assessors

💻 Live online | Supervisor Drop In: Helping your student prepare for CLiP 1R

📅 Tuesday 11 August 2026 | 7.00–8.00pm

Free to attend, so book your place today ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4giWbTW

This results day, join us in congratulating a new group of optometrists as they take the next step in their professional journey. 🎉

Your hard work and commitment have brought you to this exciting milestone, and you should be incredibly proud of what you've achieved.

We wish you every success in your career and look forward to supporting you every step of the way.

💻 Smarter optometry admin: AI essentials for your practice back office | Online CPD Course

This course will help optometrists and healthcare professionals to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support everyday administrative and communication tasks in their practices.

As tools become more prevalent in healthcare, this training builds AI literacy through practical, scenario-based learning to support confident, responsible use in non-clinical tasks, freeing up more time for patient care.

🟢 1 Non-interactive CPD Point | Domains: Professionalism, Communication

Find out more and complete the course ➡️ https://coptom.uk/44t9zy2

Final call for nominations!

The deadline to nominate for The College of Optometrists Research Excellence Awards is fast approaching.

Help us recognise the individuals at any stage of their career whose research is advancing eye health and optometry. Whether it's a colleague, peer, mentor, or even yourself.
We want to hear about the achievements making a difference across the profession.

Submit your nomination by 8 August ➡️ https://coptom.uk/3U9DsS1

The summer edition of has just landed!

Our lead article, ‘Being boring’, explores how visual perception influences boredom and how excessive smartphone use may disrupt that relationship. We explore the clinical implications and how optometrists can respond. You can also complete the accompanying quiz to earn points.

Other articles in this packed edition include:
⚪ Is still needed in soft CL assessments?
⚪ AS-OCT-A: scope for wider use
⚪ The boom: hype or hope?
⚪ How to write a business case

There’s plenty more to discover, so explore the new edition today ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4vRUUrt

Last chance to win £50!

There's still time to take part in our annual member survey and be entered into a prize draw to win one of ten £50 Amazon vouchers.

The survey takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and your feedback will help shape the future of your membership and the College's work.

Complete the survey by Monday 3 August 2026 and have your say! ➡️ https://coptom.uk/4waq3aD