Flame Health are happy to hear that the College of Optometrists have plans in place to be more cost effective and supportive. This has been driven after a low uptake of its current advanced education. Members highlighted that barriers to applications included financial and time constraints, gaining the required experience needed to enter the examination, […]

The Office of National Statistics has stated that the number of people out of work has gone up by 114,000 to 2.57 million in the three month period up to August. Commenting on the latest figures, Tom Hadley, the REC’s Director of Policy and Professional Services, said: “This increase is one of the most substantial […]

The European Parliament has urged for eye tests to be made compulsory for all drivers every 10 years. A report entitled ‘Own Initiative’ calls for concerted action in a bid to reduce the estimated 35,000 deaths on roads across Europe annually. Eye tests are just one of the areas that could reduce this figure. The […]

Flame Health are happy to hear that Optrafair will be back on April 13-15th 2013 at the NEC! This year’s Optrafair attracted more than 6,600 visitors over its three days, which was 2% up on the 2009 figure. This year Flame Health thoroughly enjoyed Optrafair and had a great time meeting everyone who came to […]

Flame Health are shocked that a poll recently conducted by Vision Express has shown that fewer than half of patients said they take their children for an eye test at least once a year. The survey showed that parents are more likely to take their children out to buy new shoes or to get a […]

Permanent staff placements rose in August, similar to a rate from July, the Report on Jobs published by the REC and KPMG stated.  There was also a strong rise in candidate availability. This is the strongest rise since January 2010. However the number of vacancies available was at a low, the lowest in 9 months. […]

A new booklet published by the General Optical Council (GOC) warns that people could be putting their sight at risk by wearing illegally sold cosmetic contact lenses. The booklet, also endorsed by the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA), explains that customers should only buy the lenses from a legal source, have them fitted by a […]

Research from the College of Optometrists  has found that almost a third of people who haven’t had a sight test for the last two years cite the fact they ‘don’t think it necessary’ with 50% claiming they haven’t visited an optometrist because ‘I haven’t experienced any problems with my eyes’. Other popular reasons for not […]

The second National Eye Health Week will take place this week. Once again, eye care charities, organisations and health professionals from across the UK are joining together to promote the importance of eye health and the need for regular sight tests for all. The week, which has been established to communicate the importance of good […]

New research on precision tinted lenses has claimed they can offer relief to migraine sufferers. The study, which involved a UK-based team, may provide a breakthrough for patients hitherto considered untreatable. The study published in Cephalalgia (May 26), uses functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for the first time to suggest a neurological basis for these […]

According to GfK Retail and Technology UK sales of contact lenses and care products rose almost 5% in value for the last year, adding £6million, while the frames market continued to fall. The report shows frames as being the only segment of the UK optics market down in both volume and value. Volume dropped 3% […]

NHS statistics have revealed that the number of ophthalmic practitioners in England has increased by almost 4% during the 12 months to December. According to the new data at the end of 2010 there were 10,409 active ophthalmic practitioners, 386 more that 2009, which represents a 3.9% rise. In Wales there was a much sharper […]

An investigation into the success of free eye care in Scotland has been commissioned to the University of Aberdeen. Starting in July, the study will be conducted by a team of economists from the university and led by Alexandros Zangelidis to establish if the policy has meant an increase in the number of people going […]

Bristol born businesswoman Dame Mary Perkins and her husband Douglas revolutionised the way Britains buy glasses, by making fashionable frames affordable, after the Government relaxed advertising regulations in 1984. The success of this has created a £1.15bn family fortune and has boosted their Sunday Times Rich List position from 73 to 56. Despite her fortune […]

Optometry and dispensing students can now renew their GOC registration online. All students must complete the renewal process by 15th July or face being removed from registers. It is a legal requirement to be registered with the GOC. To renew their retention students must complete an online application and pay £20 by the July deadline. […]