Post from the President

DOs have the knowledge to improve drivers’ vision – whatever their age

Autumn is now upon us, with shorter daylight hours and decreasing temperatures. Not only do we tend to see more patients noticing their reading material is not so clear, but as dispensing opticians (DOs) we need to ensure we ask the right questions about our patients’ driving habits.

Much has been said about mandatory vision checks for drivers aged 70 and over – but it is my feeling that, to a large extent, all drivers should be treated similarly. The proposed legislative changes still allow someone to drive from the point of passing their driving test to the age of 70 without having their eyes examined; though this would be highly unlikely as presbyopia tends to ensure most people will visit an opticians before this age.

As DOs, we have the knowledge to potentially improve the vision of drivers whatever their age, whether this is through recommending an appropriate lens design or ensuring lens coatings improve comfort and vision/visual quality. As often in practice, the prescription and/or advice from the optometrist is only the beginning of the patient journey, which makes the handover and then appropriate product knowledge very important.

We are now less than two weeks away from the 2025 ABDO Clinical Conference at the National Resource Centre (NRC) in Birmingham (12 and 13 October). This year’s theme is dry eye and the DO’s role within the multi-disciplinary practice team to support this area of clinical practice. Check the website to see if there are any late cancellations for either of the days so you don’t miss out. You could also stay on to attend the annual meetings of the ABDO Benevolent Fund and the Association at the NRC on Sunday 12 October beginning at 5.15pm.

World Sight Day (WSD) 2025 is on 9 October when organisations, communities and individuals come together to focus on eye health and vision care. WSD aims to promote eye health awareness and advocate for access to quality eyecare services, emphasising the importance of regular eye check-ups, early intervention in eye conditions, and the prevention of avoidable blindness. So do seek to get involved where you can.

Finally, I would like to congratulate Davinia Hadley on her appointment to the ABDO Board for a three-year term. I very much look forward to working with Davinia, who recently gained her ABDO Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eyecare and can now use the post nominals of Prof Cert PE. This new course continues to gain interest from individuals across the sector and can be started at any time. Simply visit the ABDO website for further information.

I look forward to meeting members at up-coming regional events and the clinical conference.

If you would like to get in contact then please email me at kgutsell@abdo.org.uk