Take your interest in child eyecare to new heights

New masters’ level professional certificate in paediatric eyecare

Eyecare practitioners can take their interest in children’s health to new heights with the first Level 7 qualification from the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). The equivalent of a masters’ degree, the professional certificate in paediatric eyecare offers advanced skills and knowledge in different aspects of the field, including myopia management — which can protect sight and prevent it from worsening.

The flexible, CPD-accredited course will be delivered part-time online, with a training and assessment day at ABDO’s National Resource Centre (NRC) in Birmingham. Learners are expected to take at least six months to complete the scheme. Successful students will be able to use the letters Prof. Cert. PE. after their name.

Child eyecare – vital for learning

ABDO president, Kevin Gutsell, said: “The launch of this eagerly-awaited new qualification is a chance to highlight the importance of children’s eyecare and the increasing awareness of the public that vision quality is paramount to successful learning.

“The appetite for enhanced knowledge and skills in this subject was obvious at the recent ABDO Clinical Conference, and this new professional certificate will help to meet this demand.”

Chief executive Alistair Bridge said: “Offering a Level 7 professional certificate is a first for ABDO. We look forward to receiving members’ feedback on this exciting addition to our core CPD programme, and hope that employers will support their dispensing opticians in developing their expertise in this key area of practice.”

The course builds on the expertise that dispensing opticians develop when they qualify with ABDO’s Level 6 FBDO Diploma. Nine units are delivered online as recorded lectures, and one is a practical in-person training and assessment day, which will be offered several times a year at the ABDO NRC in Birmingham.

The certificate includes units in:

  • Advanced communication and psychology
  • Paediatric dispensing
  • Facial development and research data
  • Refractive management
  • Interventions
  • Specialist care
  • Paediatric low vision
  • Paediatric common eyecare conditions and acute presentations
  • Practical assessment

More information

Find out more about the ABDO Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eyecare.

A guide to a career as a dispensing optician