FODO member update – 6 November
This week:
- CRM renewal reminder
- Cyber security resources
- OS calls for prevention, access and sustainability
- Clinical study offers hope for alternative to DR injections
- Most people with sight loss struggle with NHS app
- Global summit focuses on eye health
- Sector responds to GOC consultation on the testing of sight
- Shockat Adam MP becomes honorary member of AIO
- At a glance
- Health policy news
CRM renewal reminder
Thank you to all members who have already logged into the CRM and completed their renewal forms.
If you have not yet done so, please log into the new CRM and submit your renewal form as soon as possible.
Cyber security resources
Digital security is a growing concern as cyberattacks become more frequent, with reports this week of hackers remotely disabling fridges and freezers in shops across Ireland and mainland Europe.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) offers free resources that can help FODO members of all sizes. Its knowledge hub brings together essential guidance, sector-specific advice and practical tools. The Readiness Tool can also help you gauge your current level of cyber security and identify areas to improve.
OS calls for prevention, access and sustainability
Ahead of the Scottish Budget on 3 December, Optometry Scotland (OS) has urged government officials to recognise the value of existing community eye care services and opportunities to “strengthen patient pathways, support the workforce and expand access”.
OS states: “Scotland has spent two decades developing a community eye care model with accessibility and prevention at its heart. The next chapter should ensure that progress is sustained and that community optometry continues to play a central role in Scotland’s wider healthcare priorities.”
The challenge will be to balance immediate financial pressures with decisions to support long-term benefit, it says.
Clinical study offers hope for alternative to DR injections
Researchers have found early evidence that the oral drug danegaptide could potentially offer a new approach to treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). An early-stage clinical trial involving 24 patients found that the drug reduced swelling and leakage from retinal blood vessels and was well tolerated.
In preclinical studies, danegaptide reduced retinal vascular leakage and helped protect the blood-retina barrier. Current treatments that target vascular leakage, such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs, are delivered by one or more injections into the eye.
Most people with sight loss struggle with NHS app
A report on the lived experiences of navigating digital healthcare for people with sight loss by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Eye Health and Visual Impairment raises concerns about a lack of accessibility in the digital age.
Only 3.1% of respondents rated the NHS app as fully accessible, citing text size, contrast and poor screen reader compatibility as reasons. Most people said they could not depend on the NHS to communicate with them in a way that they could use independently.
The report, supported by RNIB and Thomas Pocklington Trust, says the results indicate “a systemic failure to meet a basic duty of care”. It notes that these accessibility failings are particularly worrying against the government’s drive to make the app the “digital front door” to the NHS.
Marsha De Cordova, chair of the APPG, said: “Too many told us they still cannot read their own appointment letters or test results without asking someone else for help. In 2026, that is not acceptable.”
Read more in Clarity.
Global summit focuses on eye health
The first Global Eye Health Summit took place alongside the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2026 in Antigua and Barbuda this week.
Many of the attending countries committed to improving access to global eye care, emphasising eye screening and dispensing glasses to children in particular. Others committed to improving cataract care in places where people routinely lose their sight because they cannot access the treatment they need.
Read more in Clarity.
Sector responds to GOC consultation on the testing of sight
Sector bodies have published their responses to the GOC consultation on an updated statement on the testing of sight.
As we outlined in a previous member update, FODO welcomed the updated statement. We consider it reflects how optical care is delivered, enabling safe innovations in technology and service delivery models while safeguarding patients from harm. We argued that proposals to change the GOC’s standards should maintain existing protections for dispensing to children and people who are sight impaired because it is a higher-risk activity.
The AOP’s response argued that the sight test’s components cannot be routinely separated and raised concerns about patient care and safety as a result. It also warned that new models could unfairly make optometrists accountable for processes outside of their control.
ABDO’s submission supported proportionate innovation but cautioned against routine fragmentation of sight tests. It raised concerns about remote supervision of dispensing for children and visually impaired people.
The College of Optometrists’ position was supportive of responsible innovation but cautioned against routine separation of a sight test’s components, pointing to a lack of evidence that this would work on a widespread basis.
Shockat Adam MP becomes honorary member of AIO
Shockat Adam, the Independent MP and optometrist, has joined the Association for Independent Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians (AIO) as an honorary member.
Mr Adam, who represents Leicester South and runs his own practices in Leicester and Peterborough, said he was honoured to be welcomed by the AIO. He added: “Independent optical practices are the backbone of eyecare in our communities, and I will continue to advocate for eye health, as I always have, and in particular for the vital role optometrists and dispensing opticians play in protecting the nation’s sight.”
At a glance:
- Optometry Scotland seeks optometrists to take part in a research study exploring a digital platform for the profession.
- UCL has appointed Professor Giampietro Schiavo as the next director of its Institute of Ophthalmology. He will take up the post in April 2027. Read more.
- Optometry Today reports on Westminster Eye Health Day, where Roche-funded initiative The Eyes Have It highlighted variation in how ICBs prioritise eye health.
- A new mother describes her experience of sight loss during pregnancy. Read more in Clarity.
- EssilorLuxottica has published a report on their third-quarter revenues of €7.49 billion (£6.23 billion), a year-on-year rise of 7.2%. Read more.
Health policy news:
FODO monitors progress of Health bill
The Health bill had its second committee stage session in the House of Lords this week. The debate focused on strengthening patient involvement and choice and promoting innovation, education and training.
Peers proposed amendments to strengthen patient rights, community care, NHS funding and statutory safeguards, with Earl Howe directly citing FODO’s briefing and several peers drawing on our position on expanding choice.
One amendment put forward by Earl Howe sought meaningful provider choice for out-of-hospital services, including primary eye care, supported by information on waits, quality, location and costs. Baroness Merron, a health minister, said she preferred secondary legislation as the vehicle for any future expansion in patient choice. The amendment was subsequently withdrawn.
FODO is tracking the progress of the bill to ensure no amendments – intentionally or unintentionally – disrupt the existing government commitment we have secured to protect the national GOS contract.
Read the full debate.
Select committee questions delivery of 10 Year Plan
The Health and Social Care Committee met to discuss the work of the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) with health secretary Yvette Cooper, permanent secretary Samantha Jones and NHS England’s chief executive, Sir Jim Mackey.
The committee questioned the delivery of the government’s 10 Year Health Plan, with Ms Cooper reaffirming its focus on prevention, community care and digital transformation.
Yvette Cooper said NHS England would be brought back within the health department’s remit, ending overlapping national functions. The DHSC will become a streamlined centre focused on strategy, standards, oversight and devolution, while an NHS Group led by the chief executive will manage operational delivery.
Healthwatch, recently threatened with abolition, will instead be retained and strengthened, and a new patient experience director will be appointed. In addition, a clinical council of senior clinicians will advise ministers.
The committee heard that ICBs will focus on strategic commissioning and neighbourhood health while cutting running costs by 43%, from a £2.1 billion baseline to £1.2 billion, requiring about 8,200 fewer staff.
Read the full committee meeting.