05 September 2025

FODO member update – 5 September

This week:

• Sector welcomes plan to extend medicines optometrists and CLOs can supply
• New GOC research on issues in the workplace
• Countdown to National Eye Health Week - 22-28 September
• PCSE system downtime 26 and 27 September
• NICE recommends eye tests for people diagnosed with dementia
• At a glance
• Health policy

Sector welcomes plan to extend medicines optometrists and CLOs can supply

The government has launched a consultation proposing to expand the range of medicines that optometrists and contact lens opticians across the UK can use to treat patients' minor eye conditions in the community. The consultation closes on 27 November 2025. FODO will coordinate a member response. For feedback, please email [email protected] by 3 November.
All sector bodies have welcomed this consultation and proposals to expand access to medicines:

• FODO's view @Clarity - including the minister's statement on proposals
• ABDO's response
• AOP's response
• The College of Optometrists' response

New GOC research on issues in the workplace

The GOC has published the outcome of qualitative research into the effects of harassment, bullying, abuse and discrimination in the optical workplace. Read more @Clarity. 

Countdown to National Eye Health Week - 22-28 September

Seven days of campaigning for eye health awareness and regular sight tests begin on 22 September when the annual National Eye Health Week (#VisionMatters) returns.

During the week, FODO will join the sector in supporting effective public engagement and community eye initiatives based on daily topics. Messaging for the week will closely align with NHS priorities.

Do you have plans for NEHW? Please share them with [email protected] so we can highlight the work the sector is doing to raise awareness about eye health. 

PCSE system downtime 26 and 27 September

Due to a planned IT upgrade, PCSE Systems will be unavailable from 6pm on 26 September to midnight on 27 September 2025. 

NICE recommends eye tests for people diagnosed with dementia

Members have asked us which guideline NICE has updated this week, as this Moorfields article suggests. The guideline it references was, in fact, updated in June.

NICE updated its dementia guideline (NG97) to encourage people living with dementia to have an eye test soon after diagnosis if they have not had one recently. Then they should continue to have regular tests. It also advises that healthcare professionals could consider "referring people who cannot organise appointments themselves". 

At a glance

• ABDO extends conference invitation. Read more
• Share this RNIB survey with people with a lived experience of sight loss
• PES confirms 798,213 NHS patients accessed enhanced eye care services over the last 12 months. Read more
• College of Optometrists celebrates research in vision science and optometry, marking 100 years of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) 
• UCL ophthalmologist honoured by Royal Society for pioneering AI-driven eyecare advances. Read more.

Health policy

• In a PQ about access to glaucoma care, Stephen Kinnock said that regular sight tests "play a crucial role in the early detection of glaucoma". He added that his government "also recognises the importance of glaucoma monitoring, which can delay its progression. Integrated care boards can commission enhanced eye care services from high street optical practices, including glaucoma monitoring."
• In another PQ about vision and driving, the government confirmed that the DVLA's current vision check supplier is "required to ensure that an optometrist is available within a 25-mile radius of a customer applying for a licence", and where this is not possible, to make arrangements.

• The HSJ reports that many ICBs will be unable to meet cost-cutting targets as they lack funds to pay redundancies.
• The patient safety learning and hub reports that some NHS organisations are setting minimum waiting time targets that exceed the 18-week target in the NHS Constitution, and which the PM has set as one of his key missions to deliver.
• The chief executive of the NHS Confederation, Matthew Taylor, has announced that he will stand down from the role in April 2026.