15 August 2025

FODO member update – 15 August

This week:

• New primary care glaucoma pathways
• Plans to review vision driving standard
• Clinical council for eye health appoints new chair
• FODO responds to NHS England plans to cut tariffs
• New eye care contract for Isle of Man
• GOC publishes outcome of Dephi study on the testing of sight
• Market continues to explore a combined vision and hearing solution
• PCSE IT systems testing update
• At a glance
• Policy news

New primary care glaucoma pathways

LOCSU has updated its glaucoma resources with support from subject matter experts from ABDO, AOP, the College of Optometrists, FODO and LOCs. The new resources include clinical pathways and guidance, which align with national guidance and will support the delivery of best practice. Read more. 

Plans to review vision driving standard

The government is considering changes to the law to ban people over 70 from driving if they fail a compulsory sight test. 
 
Kyle Rowe, managing director at Boots Opticians, said: "Good vision is essential for safe driving, and some age-related conditions, like glaucoma, can develop without symptoms. We would welcome the opportunity to support the government by delivering mandatory eye tests for older drivers in the future."  
 
Read more. 

Clinical council for eye health appoints new chair

Members of the Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning (CCEHC) for England have elected Dr Gillian Rudduck, president of the College of Optometrists, as the council's new chair. Dr Rudduck has called for the sector to speak with one voice to improve access to enhanced eye care services.
 
Harjit Sandhu, FODO CEO and CCEHC member, said: "Gillian brings a wealth of experience to the role, and we look forward to working together on improving the nation's eye health. Speaking with one voice, we will need to protect and advance access to eye care over the next five years, especially if public finances fail to improve.
 
"While the 10 Year Plan rightly prioritises a shift from hospital to community and sickness to prevention, some ICBs are still not doing this. Others are even considering reversing progress already made. Improving access to eye care will remain a priority for FODO and its members, and it will be our focus at the CCEHC."

Read more. 

FODO responds to NHS England plans to cut tariffs

NHS England has announced its plans to cut national tariffs for cataract surgery. FODO has responded to the consultation, highlighting the proposal's inconsistency with NHS pricing rules and how it is laden with value judgements and fails to recognise the evidence for cataract surgery.

The FODO response recognises that tariff cuts might go ahead despite consultation feedback, so it asks NHS England to ring-fence any 'savings' to deliver the government's shift from hospital to community, as opposed to paying for the unsustainable model of hospital care for routine follow-up work. Read our response. 

New eye care contract for Isle of Man

The BBC reports that Isle of Man optometrists will now be providing a broader range of enhanced eye care services on the high street.
 
The new contract closely follows the model in Scotland. It will provide patients with improved access to urgent care for conditions such as the sudden onset of blurred vision, eye pain, eye infections and gradual vision loss. FODO and its members have been involved in the contract reform process and have welcomed the changes. @Clarity will carry more on this next week. 

GOC publishes outcome of Delphi study on the testing of sight

The GOC has published the outcome of a Delphi study on a risk-based framework for the testing of sight.
 
The study focuses on the risk associated with components of a sight test not being carried out at the same time, by the same person and/or in the same place.

The research concludes that the project "highlights that the separation of eye test components by person, time or place may offer benefits and pose risks for both the NHS and patients". The researchers also note that the panel might have resulted in a bias towards the status quo, then go on to share their views on future models of care.
 
The GOC commissioned the research as part of its review of its 2013 statement on the testing of sight.
 
Director of regulatory strategy, Steve Brooker, welcomed the Delphi study "at an important time" with advancements in technology. He said the GOC will "convene a roundtable in October 2025 to hear stakeholder views, as well as discuss the report with our advisory committees and Council".
 
Read the full research report. 

Market continues to explore a combined vision and hearing solution

Following the launch of Nuance audio spectacles, which include hearing aid functionality, researchers continue to explore new ways in which they can combine spectacles and hearing aids to enhance clinical outcomes.

In the latest news, researchers in Scotland are working on technology that uses a tiny camera to enhance the listening experience by tracking visual cues. Read more @Clarity. 

PCSE IT systems testing update

The PCSE technical team is extending final testing of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) checks for 'additional assurance', which means that UAT will be unavailable from 18 to 22 August. Please share the full notice with your IT team. 

At a glance

• BP check service in primary eye care practices has saved 44 lives in 8 months. Read more
• The College of Optometrists has welcomed NHS funding for signed orders formulary in Wales
• The College of Optometrists and AOP have set out five core principles for implementing vision standards for driving in the UK. Read more
• Royal College of Ophthalmologists backs calls to improve the number of clinically trained research staff in the UK
• Optician reports on Aston University piloting Canada-based Meivertor tool to invert lids
• ISP ophthalmology providers continue to extend glaucoma services, with Optegra the latest to offer more glaucoma care. Read more on Primary Health Net
• Enter the IAPB World Sight Day photo competition
• Age UK responds to news of sight test for people aged 70 and older
• American company acquires Birmingham Optical Group
• Optometry Scotland tells The Scotsman that more eye care can be delivered closer to home.

Policy news

• The latest NHS RTT data for England shows 7.4 million people waiting for consultant- led care. There are now 592,684 incomplete ophthalmology pathways. However, ophthalmology is now seeing 70.7% of people within 18 weeks, making it one of the best-performing outpatient services. In contrast, ENT continues to struggle, with 635,920 incomplete pathways. The Nuffield Trust has also analysed the RTT data and warned: "The NHS is still treating fewer patients than are being referred".
• NHS England data suggests the recent resident doctor strike had less impact than previous strikes.