In Other News

New UK sight loss survey. A survey of more than 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by global pharmaceutical company Apellis, reveals that despite an overwhelming majority of adults (90 percent) valuing sight as their most important sense, one in two people (53 percent) expect to experience some form of sight loss in the next 10 years. Unsurprisingly, this figure is more pronounced in the over 50s, with nearly three in five (59 percent) expecting to experience sight loss in the next decade. The survey sought to identify the different attitudes towards and perceptions of sight loss, as well as to open up discussion. Results showed that currently only one in four people (27 percent) speak to family and friends over the age of 70 about sight loss often and one third (34 percent) reported that they never talk about it at all. Link

Blepharitis webinar. Ros Mussa FBDO CL and Brad Parkes FBDO CL will present an ABDO CPD webinar on “Healthy lids: managing blepharitis’” on Thursday, November 7, 7–8.30pm. Attendees will learn why ocular surface health is important, the relationship between dry eye disease (DED) and blepharitis, and the practical aspects of how – and when – to use the various management options available in practice and at home. Link

France’s Optical Center moves to London. French company Optical Center has secured its first 10 stores in the London area, with a recent opening in Bracknell joining other new facilities in Tottenham Court Road, Greenwich, Colliers Wood, High Wycombe, Milton Keynes, Borehamwood, Staines, Harlow, and Richmond. Founded in Paris in 1991 by Laurent Lévy, Optical Center is the leading optician and audiologist in France. Its entry into the UK marks the first stage of its growth into English-speaking countries. Optical Center’s London expansion has been facilitated by Newmark Retail UK & EMEA. Link

GOC seeks views on changes to business regulation. The General Optical Council (GOC) is consulting on a new model of business regulation. The main proposals include i) extending regulation to all entities providing specified restricted functions, including university eye clinics and charities; ii) a model of assurance that includes requiring registrants to nominate a head of optical practice (HOP) with overall responsibility for the conduct of the business; and iii) making participation in the consumer redress scheme – the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) – mandatory. The consultation will be open until January 22, 2025. To respond, visit the GOC online consultation platform or email consultations@optical.org