So you are a newly qualified optometrist - or maybe you are on track to qualify soon. It's easy to focus on your pre-reg year and passing your exams but have you thought about what comes next? Read on for ideas for your career and different pathways you could follow, from low vision and paediatrics to research, higher qualifications and owning your own business. You may want to build up your in-practice experience. If you have worked in a multiple,…
If you are thinking about a career in ophthalmology, you might be interested in a course from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. This three day certificated course is aimed at medical students, junior doctors and others who are interested in ophthalmology as a potential career choice. The online course will be presented by leading consultant ophthalmologists from Moorfields Eye Hospital and leading clinical scientists at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The course will cover current clinical and ground breaking scientific aspects…
Do you ever wonder how spectacle frames are designed? Students at the Royal College of Art have a chance to take part in an exciting design competition each year, and the winning frames are displayed at the eyewear industry's trade show, 100% Optical. Read on to meet one of this year's finalists. What encouraged you to enter the competition and design your first glasses? The competition and brief allowed us to experiment with materials and processes new to us. For…
Do you ever wonder how spectacle frames are designed? Students at the Royal College of Art have a chance to take part in an exciting design competition each year, and the winning frames are displayed at the eyewear industry's trade show, 100% Optical. Read on to meet one of this year's finalists. What encouraged you to enter the competition and design your first glasses? My background is in architecture. When I first got into fashion, I found that accessories, as…
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (WCSM) sounds ancient but has a modern purpose. Its mission is to support better vision for all, and it has a membership scheme that welcomes young people working in eyecare as well as those committed to improving vision. The Company was founded in 1629 and is living proof that eye health is so much more than a presence on the High Street. The name could be misleading as WCSM members don’t all make spectacles. When…
Do you ever wonder how spectacle frames are designed? Students at the Royal College of Art have a chance to take part in an exciting design competition each year, and the winning frames are displayed at the eyewear industry's trade show, 100% Optical. Read on to meet this year's winner. What encouraged you to enter the competition and design your first glasses? I was always interested in accessory design and the product development process behind it. Coming from an Animation and…
Exams are starting and the pressure is hotting up to keep on revising. Here are some tips on how to revise when time is short. Use any spare moments for revision. Make the most of bus trips or the moments while you are waiting for the kettle to boil.Practise regularly - every day is better than once a week. Keep cards of key facts in your pocket or bag so you can review them regularly. Arrange your revision into short…
Do you ever wonder how spectacle frames are designed? Students at the Royal College of Art have a chance to take part in an exciting design competition each year, and the winning frames are displayed at the eyewear industry's trade show, 100% Optical. Read on to find out more about the competition and meet some of this year's winners. The competition has been a collaboration with the Royal College of Art Fashion Masters degree and School of Design and the 100% Optical…
If you are leaving school this summer, it is a great time to think about your options. You may want to go on to further education or higher education, but you might want to get a job. There are a number of roles for young people working in eyecare. Becoming an optical assistant is a great place to start. This is a good role for you if you like working with people. You could also be interested in fashion, technology,…
ABDO College offers a choice of two distance learning courses on the route to becoming a qualified dispensing optician (DO): Foundation Degree /BSc (Hons) in Ophthalmic Dispensing (Year 1)Fellowship Dispensing Diploma courses (Year 1) Option 1A two-year Foundation Degree course followed by a third year BSc Degree course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to BSc (Hons) and the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualifications. Option 2A three-year diploma course in Ophthalmic Dispensing – leading to the ABDO Level 6 FBDO qualification.…