As expected, 100% Optical was a great opportunity to see what’s new, meet up with friends and take home fresh ideas as well as those CPD points.
There really was something for everyone, which is exactly what I anticipated – and so if you’ve never been to such an event either in the UK or overseas then plan to do so soon.
I’ve been fortunate to have attended many shows over the years, and have only ever come away with positivity and knowledge. In addition to talking to many ABDO members, I was also pleased to meet up with Megan Holmes, development manager at the charity Vision Care for Homeless People, and hear how our members can get involved in this invaluable service for vulnerable people.
I mentioned last month that I would be visiting students in the colleges who aim to qualify this year. What an experience this is turning out to be. From what I hear from these pre qualifying dispensing opticians, the future is safe in their hands. The passion to ensure that patients are given the best options, and then fitted accurately with the frames and lenses they need, was fantastic to hear. As was the positivity to ensure that, where possible, myopia was both corrected and ‘treated’ through education about lifestyle as well as incorporating therapies increasingly proven to slow down its progression.
Allergy Awareness Week takes place this month – from 22- 28 April – and the focus will be on raising awareness about allergies, their impact on individuals, and the importance of understanding and managing them. The timing of this event is appropriate to eyecare as those spring/seasonal allergies start to have an impact on many of our patients.
I look forward to meeting members at the next optical event in the calendar. If you would like to contact me, then please drop me an email at kgutsell@abdo.org.uk