College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Rebekah Stevens, Lead Assessor at the College, about what true equity should mean for women. They discuss the gender pay gap, work-life balance, and what advice they have to women trying to have a career while also supporting their family.
College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Fiona Jazayeri, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Buckinghamshire Health Trust, about the external eye. They cover areas including how to conduct an external eye examination, what to look out for when examining a patient, and best practice for referring patients into the hospital eye service.Further resources: College Clinical Management Guidelines Patient information - Blepharitis DermNet
As we come towards the end of another busy year College Clinical Advisers Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, Denise Voon MCOptom, and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss their individual highlights from the year and what we can expect going forward into 2025. Further information: Clinical management guidelines (CMGs) Clinical files Headlight glare campaign
For International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Nicola Nuttall, who tragically lost her daughter Laura to a rare form of brain cancer when she was just 23. Denise and Nicola talk about how Laura was diagnosed after a routine eye examination and the incredible campaigning and bucket list goals she achieved in her life. Denise also speaks to Lorcan Butler BSc (Hons) MCOptom, Prof Cert Paed Eye Care, Optometrist and Optical Engagement Manager with The Brain Tumour Charity, who answers questions about what optometrists should look out for when conducting an eye examination and how to converse with someone who needs to be referred for further tests.
As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE provide advice on lifestyle changes to help keep your eyes healthy.
As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom explain how you can save money on your eye care.
As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE answer questions about children and teens eye health, as well as those over 60.
As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom explain the role of an optometrist.
As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE explain what a sight test is and why having regular sight tests is so important.
At the start of National Eye Health Week College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom, Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE, and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom discuss effective ways to reinforce the importance of regular sight tests.
College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom and Mike Horler, Consultant Optometrist at Sussex Eye Hospital and College Assessor and Council member, answer your questions about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Among the topics discussed were the treatment options for AMD including the role of supplements, photobiomodulation, and Syfovre. Further information: College AMD clinical topic page College AMD resources
College Clinical Adviser and Optometric Adviser to the GOC Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Kayleigh Allen, Head of Fitness to Practise Legal; Roma Malik, Optometric Adviser at the GOC; Sue Blakeney, Registrant Case Examiner for the GOC; and Bobby Fida, Optometrist and member of the GOC's Hearing Panel about the role of the GOC. Using a fictitious case, they discuss the fitness to practise process and how they decide on the final outcome involving a member who has altered patient records. Further resources: College Guidance for Professional Practice GOC Standards of Practice
In the second part of our anxiety podcast, Ruth Bennett, Deputy Lead Assessor on the Scheme for Registration, Dave Burke, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Neil Constantine-Smith, an optometrist with over 30 years' experience, answer questions from supervisors and trainees on the Scheme for Registration. They answer questions on managing your work/life balance, how to prepare for exams, and how to deal with disappointment if things don't go your way. Further resources: NHS Talking Therapies (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, IAPT) Mind Action for happiness Deloitte annual report of mental health in the workplace
Ruth Bennett, Deputy Lead Assessor on the Scheme for Registration, talks to Dave Burke, Mental Health First Aid Instructor, and Neil Constantine-Smith, an optometrist with over 30 years experience, about the rising number of young people suffering from anxiety. They discuss the possible reasons for this trend and provide helpful strategies and advice for dealing with anxiety. Further resources: NHS Talking Therapies (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies, IAPT) Mind Action for happiness Deloitte annual report of mental health in the workplace
In this WebinarXtra podcast, College clinical advisers Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE, Denise Voon MCOptom, and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom discuss the latest changes to the Guidance for Professional Practice. They answer all those questions there wasn't time to cover during the live webinar including about dilation and driving, cycloplegic refraction and children, and the difference between a sight test and a eye examination. Find out more about the changes to the Guidance.
In our latest podcast, College clinical adviser Denise Voon MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret talks to Nazia Fitzpatrick, a business psychologist and executive coach and facilitator. They discuss the concerning statistics from the General Optical Council's registrant workforce and perception survey including 41% of responders saying they had experienced bullying and harassment in the workplace.
In the second part of our special podcast, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Mike Bowen, Director of Knowledge and Research at the College, about the issues surrounding LED headlights. They also discuss the current research and evidence regarding them and how our members can help shape the work of the College on this important topic. For more information please read our Acuity article - Headlight dazzle: a glaring problem.
In the first part of this special podcast, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town, Member of the House of Lords, about her campaign for stronger regulation and guidance on the use of LED headlights. They discuss how Lady Hayter became involved in the campaign, the effects of headlight glare and how it affects other motorists and pedestrians, and how members can get involved in the campaign. For more information please read our Acuity article - Headlight dazzle: a glaring problem.
To mark Black History Month, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talked to optometrists Chidinma Onyenezido MCOptom and Adaku Eze MCOptom to explore this year’s theme ‘Saluting our Sisters’. They share their personal experiences, including the successes, challenges and difficulties they've faced working in the UK, the differences in healthcare compared to their home country of Nigeria, and share advice for anyone wishing to come and work in the UK as an optometrist.
In this WebinarXtra podcast, College clinical adviser Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE talks to Dr Jeffry Hogg following his webinar on artificial intelligence in optometry. Jeffry is an ophthalmology registrar and NIHR Doctoral Fellow working between Newcastle University and NHS trusts in Newcastle, Birmingham and London. Jeffry answers all those questions there wasn't time to cover during the live webinar which provided a practical exploration of the near-term realities of AI. The subject of the questions include the Turing test, macular age versus retinal age, and clinical governance of AI and optometric practice. For more information about AI regulation please visit the NHS AI and Digital Regulations Service. You can also read our recent Acuity article on AI and retinal vasculometry and earn CPD.