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 --- Send in a voice ..read more

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/sho ..read more

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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more

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 ‘Celebrating 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. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more

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 governa ..read more

In this special College podcast Acuity spoke to College members Amy Hughes MCOptom and Ian Jarvis MCOptom about their experiences of research. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more

In this WebinarXtra podcast, Martyn Jones, Head of Curriculum Development and Dr Rebekah Stevens, Lead Assessor at The College of Optometrists, answer questions following their webinar 'Preparing for ETR – the new route to qualification as an optometrist." This webinar provided an introduction to the GOC’s new education and training requirements, focussing on how the College will partner with universities and employers in future, and the differences between the current Scheme for Registration and future arrangements. Martyn and Rebekah address a range of questions whic ..read more

College clinical adviser Denise Voon MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret speaks to Jane Veys MCOptom, Clinical Editor of Acuity magazine, about her long history and passion for charity work, her involvement with the College, and why she thinks everyone should volunteer. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/collegeofoptometrists/message ..read more