City University students take 2021 Optoversity Challenge

First-year winner, Mohammed Farin

ABDO College was among those supporting the recent Out of the Box Optics Optoversity Challenge, helping to raise £7,700 for Vision Care for Homeless People (VCHP).

The online event saw City University students take top place, followed by students from the University of the West of England in second place. Third place went to Aston University students.

Testing their knowledge against teams from 11 UK optometry schools, the 80 competing students enjoyed quizzes, MCQs and other challenges.

Optical companies that got involved engaged with the students through questions relating to optical technology, diagnostics and therapeutics.

The event topped last year’s sum raised for VCHP by more than £2,000. VCHP will be re-opening its clinics as soon as it is safe to do so – and has already allocated the funds.

VCHP general manager, David Brown, said: “Mindful of the need to keep everything as clean as we can in the clinics, we are moving to tablets for patient records. It will reduce the paper being passed around and is a far better way for us to work. It is a tremendous boost to our efficiency. Thank you Out Of the Box Optics.”

Mohammed Farin, who came top in the first-year category and won a retinoscope and ophthalmoscope donated by Keeler, said: “Optoversity was a dynamic and thrilling event. I’d like to thank everyone who came together to organise it and, importantly, to Vision Care for Homeless People who provide eyecare to those who need it the most.”

Also pictured is Jenna Martin-Zahid, a third-year optometry student at City University who was part of the winning team. She won a Volk digital widefield lens, donated by Birmingham Optical.