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% […]

The Fleet Safety Forum, a division of the road safety charity Brake, has launched the Look Sharp promotion in a sponsorship deal with Boots Opticians. Managers of commercial vehicle fleets are being called on to ensure their company drivers have regular eye examinations in a new campaign. A poster and e-guidance campaign pack is available […]

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. […]

Flame Health attended Optrafair at the weekend and had a great time meeting everyone who came to say hello. Even Darth Vader’s Storm Troopers came to enquire about a change of career! The optical team enjoyed speaking to new and existing contacts throughout the weekend. Our stand was decked out in Flame Health artwork and […]

Flame Health are delighted to be attending Optrafair this year at the NEC Birmingham. Come and see us and have a chat about our exclusive optical opportunities. Our team will be there all weekend to help and advise you on your future within the Optical industry.  Our Optometry division consistently provides innovative, cost saving and […]

Following on from last weeks GOC retention deadline, 203 practitioners have been removed from the optical registers. This number is from those who failed to complete the online registration on time. Those who wish to continue practising must now pay £340 to have their registration restored. Samantha Peters, chief executive and registrar had said, “We’re […]

National sun awareness week starts on 3rd May and provides an opportunity for practitioners to promote eye health issues relating to UV in their local community. It is run by the British Association of Dermatologists to promote the protection of the skin against UV rays. It could also be used by professionals to highlight eye […]