09 January 2026

FODO member update – 9 January

This week:

• Government proposes mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers
• First phase of NHS Online to include eye care
• Care leavers to receive free eye services
• New Year Honours
• Navigating redundancies and restructuring
• CPD claims - England
• At a glance
• Health policy news

Government proposes mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers

The Department for Transport has published its road safety strategy. It includes plans to introduce compulsory eyesight testing for drivers aged 70 when they renew their licence.

FODO, as a member of the Older Drivers Task Force, recommended introducing compulsory checks at licence renewal in 2021. Daro Bjayou, FODO policy officer, said: "Regular eye tests are essential for all drivers. We will continue to support initiatives that help reduce the risk of vision-related accidents and improve road safety."

While all optical sector bodies and the other organisations we work with have long called for these changes, recent high-profile coroner reports have finally triggered government action. The optical sector has therefore welcomed the proposal to end self-reporting of visual acuity - read more in Clarity.

In total, more than 6.3 million licence holders aged 70 and older will be renewing their driving licences every three years, including 480,000 who must renew at age 70. While many will already have regular sight tests (as defined by the Opticians Act) from their optometrist at the point of each renewal, the government is also considering other options for how the yet-to-be-defined eyesight check will be delivered.

FODO will work with members and sector partners to respond to the public consultation on mandatory eyesight testing for older drivers. The consultation closes on 31 March. If you would like to help shape the FODO response, please send any feedback to [email protected] by 16 March.

First phase of NHS Online to include eye care

NHS England has announced that cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma are among nine conditions the government will include in its 'online hospital' next year.

Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said that NHS Online would "make accessing healthcare as simple as ordering a cab or takeaway". Read more in Clarity.

Care leavers to receive free eye services

The Department for Health and Social Care has announced a package of measures to support children leaving care in England, including free eye tests, dental services and prescriptions. The benefits will be available until they turn 25. Read more in Clarity.

Members should note that details are yet to be confirmed. We will update in due course.

New Year Honours

Congratulations to all from the eye care sector recognised in the King's New Year Honours list 2026:

• Lisa Nichole Gerson from Cardiff received the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for her services to optometry, education and social cohesion.

• Robert Nolan, chair of Deafblind UK, was awarded an OBE for services to people living with deafblindness.

• Professor Anna Horwood, orthoptist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, became a Member of the British Empire (MBE) for her services to orthoptics and research in visual development.

• Kulwant Singh Sehmi, former head of imaging at Moorfields Eye Hospital, was also made an MBE for services to the NHS and diagnostic ophthalmic imaging.

• Joy White, former head of service for orthoptics at Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton, was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) for her outstanding contribution to ophthalmology.

Navigating redundancies and restructuring

We recognise that some employers are having to make difficult workforce decisions following the autumn Budget and the minimum wage increase. Members can learn about recent legislative changes and updates to redundancy and restructuring processes in a WorkNest webinar on 29 January at 2pm. Register here.

 
CPD claims - England

As you know, the CPD claim window was delayed last year, so many of you will be making claims now for CPD undertaken in 2024. Please note that, due to a technical issue that PCSE cannot easily resolve, when you log on to make a claim it will state that you are claiming for 2025 rather than 2024. Your claim will be treated as a 2024 claim and corrected after the window closes.

At a glance

• Super Saturday's Ophthalmology clinic tackles waiting lists by treating 100 patients. Read more
• PCC advises ICBs to deliver the 10 Year Health Plan by shifting services to local opticians, helping "deliver better value and relieve pressure on hospitals"
• ABDO centenary celebrations and the ABDO president look forward to Optometry Tomorrow 2026 in June, when ABDO partners with the College of Optometrists, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and the Royal College of Nursing to run a flagship education event
• Researchers at UCLA have found that a cardiovascular risk score used routinely in primary care can predict serious eye disease in later life. Read more
• Children exposed to opioid maintenance therapy experience significant thinning of the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), according to BMC Ophthalmology research
• Dr Simon Opher, MP for Stroud, discussed the value of primary eye care and hearing services on a visit to Specsavers in Stroud. Read more
• The College of Optometrists appeals to the public to make booking their eye test a New Year's resolution. Read more
• CooperVision has announced the upcoming UK launch of contact lenses for myopia management in children. Read more.

 
Health policy

The King's Fund chief executive, Sarah Woolnough, predicts that 2026 will be pivotal for health and social care. In her latest blog, she reviews what's on the health agenda, starting with the Health Bill. It's expected early this year and will pave the way for the abolition of NHS England. Read more.

In the Health Service Journal, Daniel Elkeles, chief executive of NHS Providers, discusses the challenges facing the health service and the opportunities offered by technology and AI. Read more.