Post from the president

A special day for the Class of 2026

This year’s ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony, which took place on 12 May at Canterbury Cathedral, was a magical experience for everyone involved.

It was a special privilege to attend and be part of our graduands’ special day in such amazing surroundings, and particularly during this centenary year for the dispensing optics profession.

Canterbury Cathedral is the perfect setting for this prestigious annual ceremony, which cements the successful culmination of three years of hard work and dedication by newly qualified dispensing opticians (DOs) and those progressing in their educational journey.

There was such a buzz from the gathering of friends and families as they listened to the names being called out to receive the ceremonial handshake, alongside those who received higher honours and special prizes. The vast numbers proudly wearing their gowns around the gardens, smiling for photographs to mark this special occasion, was a joy to observe.

Earning the FBDO qualification not only demonstrates specialised clinical and technical skills that set qualified DOs apart, it attests to a determination and resilience to study whilst working in practice. I would like all newly-qualified DOs to view their achievement not as an end-point, but as the beginning of an optical career journey.

As a DO, you can take on additional roles – such as joining the local optical committee, becoming an ABDO tutor, practical examiner or facilitator, or pursuing advanced qualifications in contact lenses, paediatric eyecare and low vision – all designed to elevate the DO’s clinical role.

ABDO is a dynamic membership organisation, continually evolving and developing – and I am genuinely excited about how the future of eyecare will continue to expand DOs’ scope of practice in primary and secondary care.

With these great new opportunities, we can collaborate with our fellow professions and be part of the development of the optical landscape.

I would like to add my personal congratulations to all of this year’s graduates, who will undoubtedly remember this very special occasion for many years to come.

Get in touch with the ABDO president by emailing brennie@abdo.org.uk