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The article reports on Specsavers Opticians, Nottingham, England, that takes great pride in its customer care and was the joint winner of the Multiple Practice of the Year at the Optician Awards. They have 63 people working in practice and include an in-store laboratory, a contact lens department, a call Centrex, a hearing center and the retail team. The establishment which was started 22 years ago has around 50,000 patient base and is open seven days a week. .

The article reports that optometrist Julie Sznapka, owner of Julie Sznapka Optometrists in Gatley, Cheshire, England, hosted a visit by Mark Hunter, member of parliament for Gatley and Cheadle, England, as part of the initiative by local optical committees to place eye health on the political agenda. Stockport PCT had organised the visit as part of a wider programme for stakeholders in eye care to come together to discuss issues surrounding eye health in England.

The article presents information on a optometry practice that has invested heavily in diabetic screening equipment in Nottinghamshire, England. The practice has been established 14 years ago and caters to over 30,000 patients. The practice enjoys testing those who appreciate the importance of a thorough eye examination and has been involved with the provision of diabetic screening in North Notts. It has invested heavily in technology to support this.

The article focuses on the Shayler's Vision Centre in Dorset, England established in 1951. Its staff includes Geoff Shayler, an optometrist, Loraine Shayler, vision therapist and practice manager and Julia Major, dispenser. On the sort of patients visiting, it is stated that the patients of all ages visit the centre and many children, especially those with learning or visual processing deficit are the main visitors. Comments on the preferred patients visiting the clinic are also included.

The article reports on Turners Optometrists in Somerset, England, which says that optical practices can charge proper professional fees and patients will pay. The company has been in practice for 40 years and has a staff of 14 consisting of optometrists, dispensing opticians and business director. The company states that its favourite type of patients are those who are on its direct debit VisionPlan eye care plans and who regularly attend for appointments, keep their spectacles up to date.

A calendar of events for March and April 2009 for the opticians is presented which includes the sight care training in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Bausch & Lomb Inc. academy lectures in London, England and Carl Zeiss Group OCT seminars in Warwick, England.

The article reports on Aston University Optometric Clinic, Birmingham, England. About 20 percent of the clinic's patients wear contact lenses. The clinic has the base of about 11,200 patients. Dispensing is the most successful area of your business. The clinic specializes in colorimetry assessments.

The article offers information on David Austen Optometrists (DAO) in Loughborough, England. It is reported that DAO has been in practice for about 78 years and serves mainly those patients who are concerned about their eye health. Its patient base is about 18,000 active patients. It has monthly team meetings when every member of staff can contribute to the running of the practice.

The article reports that Guildford, England-based Optegra eye hospital has teamed up with independent optical practitioners in the South East in a £225,000 co-management initiative. The new multi-million pound eye clinic opened in 2008. As part of the scheme, Optegra is providing each participating practice with a Pentacam HR, a high-resolution scanner, to help practitioners make the first-stage assessment of patients' suitability for refractive laser eye surgery.

The article offers information on Eyetech Opticians in Midsomer Norton, England. The practice was established in 1986 and at present there are four optical assistants, two optometrists and one pre-reg optometric student shared with another practice. The practice looks after 5,000 patients in a year and has a mailing database of triple this number.

The article focuses on Enfield, England-based store Goodlooking Optics. The store was established in 2004 and has six members of staff. The store has been averaging about 1,000 new customers a year and at the last count it had just over 4,900. Every 100th customer receives a surprise gift to say thank you, and for the 5,000th lucky new customer the store is planning to give away a holiday.

The article focuses on the impendent General Ophthalmic Services (GOS) fees. It is stated that the fees will about to occur in 2009 and that there would be no change to its terms and conditions. The appropriate renumeration was vowed by the Oxford Financial Research Centre (OFRC) in England after announcing a 2.5 percent rise in GOS fees.

The article reports that the National Health Services (NHS) of Leeds, England has developed a system, designed to reduce health inequalities in glaucoma treatment and care. According to the NHS commissioning body, the Leeds Glaucoma Equity Profile project, uses routinely collected information to plan and direct local eye care services to parts of the Yorkshire city, England where they are needed most.

The article reports on the opening of a flagship practice by Ellis and Killpartrick, a small chain of independent opticians, in Bristol, England. The new practice carries with luxury frames such as Chanel, Cartier and Prada. Ellis and Killpartrick features over 1,500 frames as well as specialising in the supply of contact lenses. According to optometrist Michael Killpartrick, the store will be successful by focusing on the values of professional and distinctive eye care.

The article reports on the fund being raised at the Association of Dispensing Optician (ABDO) conference held in Manchester, England. It mentions that the event raised a total of £2,500 for the Vision Aid Overseas to be used to develop eye care center in its target countries. It was also taken into account that two different raffles were organized at the gala dinner during the event, and prizes were donated by various optical businesses.

The article reports on the Johnson & Johnson Vision Care's Centre of Excellence business building programme. The company will run three sessions of its programme in Manchester and London in the whole month of October 2008. Its programme will help eye care practitioners to survive in a more competitive business environment.

The article reports on the call for optometrists and dispensing opticians to participate in a series of roadshows organised by the Eye Health Alliance and held at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent, England. The roadshows help promote the importance of regular eye tests to the public. Furthermore, the alliance is looking for local optometrists and dispensing opticians to demonstrate a fundus camera and talk to the public concerning eye health.

The article reports on the move of Toric and multifocal contact lens specialist mark'ennovy in inviting a group of contact lens practitioners at the Henley Royal Regatta, England. The practitioners had been invited to share ideas, champagne, and strawberries at the indicated venue. The event focused on the importance to independents of fitting multifocal patients.

The article presents information on a series of roadshows highlighting the benefits of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to practitioner, patient and practice to be held in England in July 2008. The roadshows would be run by the companies Sight Care Group, Topcon and Professional Financial Services with an aim to offer an insight into reappraising the business model as an independent. The roadshows will be held in London, Bristol and Leeds on July 21, 23 and 28, 2008, respectively.

The article offers information on a vision screening clinic arranged by the Eyecare Trust in Aylesbury, England. It mentions that the clinic was held to highlight the importance of having regular eye exams and to raise awareness of National Health Service (NHS) entitlements to tests and vouchers. It also mentions that Rosie Gavzey, a trustee of the Eyecare Trust, conducted the basic visual screening programme.

Information about several papers discussed at a meeting regarding the implementation of the UK Vision Strategy in London, England. Industry insiders say that the optical sector must step up its lobbying efforts if eye health is to be pushed higher up the government's agenda. According to Lesley-Anne Alexander, chair of the UK Vision Strategy Strategic Advisory Group, eye health is on the political agenda, but people need to do more locally and nationally.

The article reports that a campaign promoting children's National Health Service (NHS) eye examinations could expand nationally in the 2008 autumn if it is successful in Doncaster, England. Entitled Doncaster Vision for Life, it runs from June 9 to September 1 and features posters on buses, cinema advertising and local press coverage. It aims to ensure that the number of children accessing eye care in the region becomes much higher than the national average.

The article reports on the plan of Vision Care for Homeless People to run a centre in Birmingham by September 2008, following its London clinics that are offering eye care and spectacles to the homeless, in England. It states that the weekly Birmingham clinic will be held at Salvation Army premises in an area accessible to a large proportion of the city's homeless people. The charity is grateful to all the benefactors from the optical industry and asks the people to volunteer.

The article reports that Richard Ward Opticians of Hampshire, England has presented a Toyota pick-up truck to the Providence Children's Home in Uganda. It informs that three members of staff of Richard Ward Opticians visited Uganda to handover the keys of the automobile, that will be used to transport sick children to Kampala in Uganda. It states that the opticians Richard Ward, Toby Howcroft and Debbie Young conducted eye tests of several villagers of Uganda.

The article offers information on the family business of the Bateman family. It informs that the business was started by George Campion Bateman in 1901, who started his practice in a converted bakery at King Street in Berkshire, England and mentions about Bateman's philosophy related to eye care. It reports on the expansion in the business of Batemans and mentions that George Bateman handed his business to his son Geoffrey Bateman in 1949, who in turn passed it to his son Peter Bateman.

The article reports on the launch of a new concept in orthokeratology in London, England. It explains the concept and implications of i-GO for optical practitioners and patients in Great Britain. It examines whether overnight vision correction has the capability to create a substantial niche in the contact lens market.

The article provides information on the campaign launched by CG Stephens Opticians based in Kidderminster, England, involving local schools to address the issue that many children do not have their eyes tested until they experience problems with their vision. The campaign is aimed at six- to 10-year-olds and aims to reinforce the message that eye care from a young age prevents visual problems in the future.

The article reports that the Eye Health Alliance hosted a fringe event at the Conservative Party Conference in Blackpool, England in October 2007 as part of an initiative to help raise the profile of eye care among politicians. Guest speakers at the event included Member of Parliament (MP) Stephen Dorrell, who chaired the Conservative Policy group on health and social policy, David Pink, chief executive of the Long Term Conditions Alliance and Nal Beaty of the CBI.

The article offers information on an eye health brochure developed by Buckinghamshire Local Optical Committee (LOC) with its local primary care trust in England. The brochure is available free to all healthcare promoters in the county. The brochure covers nutrition and diet, body weight, smoking, UV protection, protective eyewear and the need for regular eye tests.

The article expresses views on two contrasting clinical issues in the boroughs of Camden and Islington in London, England. The problems include the restriction on the availability of screening for diabetic retinopathy and the criticism of companies who offer domiciliary eye care services. It notes that a national screening scheme is aimed at ensuring that all diabetics are screened to a common standard. Also stressed is that optometrists have a responsibility to provide a service to disabled people which prevent them from visiting a practice.

The article reports on the participation by several consultants at the Yorkshire Eye Hospital in England in the national Shades for a Day held on June 29, 2007. The day has been fun and everyone has entered into the spirit, but in addition to raising funds for charity, there is also a serious message and that is to remind people to protect their eyes from sunlight and look after them in general, said Ian Johnston, chairman of the Yorkshire Eye Hospital.

The article focuses on a survey of sunglass wearers conducted by The College of Optometrists in London, England as part of its campaign to raise awareness of eye health. Almost 80 percent of the under 25-year-olds surveyed admitted focusing on fashion and price before safety standards, while one in 10 will not wear sunglasses at all. The College gave key advice for consumers when choosing sunglasses.

The article reports that efforts by the College of Optometrists to increase public awareness about the importance of eye health and the role of practitioners have received a positive response. Over the past six weeks the College has stepped up its public awareness campaign leading to coverage on national and regional television, radio and press as well as exposure on 30 web sites. The College developed two story-lines following research it commissioned into people's eye hygiene habits.

The article reports that Vision Care for Homeless People needs volunteers to help at the Crisis headquarters in Shoreditch, London, England and at the Passage Homeless Center in London Victoria. Founder Harinder Paul and his board of trustees have been invited to the House of Lords to talk about raising funds from the leading optical bodies for the expansion plans of the charity. Vision Care has provided eye care to more than 2,000 homeless people since 2004.

The article focuses on the Specsavers South Shields, an optometry practice in England, which won the 2006 "Optician" Award for Community Involvement. Optometrists are encouraged to phone patients following an acute referral, while optical assistants are asked to keep a record of any patients who have had past problems with fitting. In 2005, the practice developed a corporate eye care programme, which involved contacting local businesses and informing them of the services offered.

The article talks about the promotion of the importance of eye health and regular sight tests to the nursing profession by the Eye Health Alliance at the Royal College of Nursing Annual Congress in Harrogate, England, from April 16 to 18, 2007. The Alliance will be looking for optometrists to help operate a fundus camera, which, it said, has proved an excellent means of attracting visitors at previous conferences, enabling representatives to talk to delegates about eye care services.

The article report on the plans of Newcastle, England-based optometrists Angela Henderson and Katrina Venerus to expand their Gosforth Eye Co. by offering a corporate eye care package to local companies. The optometrists charge a fee for a set period of time to carry out VDU screening and invite those who require further investigation to the practice for a thorough eye examination.

The article highlights the CIBA Specialist Club meeting held in Leeds, England in 2006 wherein practitioners specializing in contact lens practice exchanged information with those with limited experience in the profession. Keynote speaker Pat Caroline gave a lecture on the challenges for the successful fitting of presbyopes. Interactive sessions were also featured in the meeting, with discussions about solutions and their interactions with lenses and ways to marketing a contact lens business.

The article reports on the opening of the flagship store by Dollond & Aitchison (D&A) on Regent Street in London, England on April 28, 2006. The two-story outlet provides eye care technology and frames. Andrew Bailey, commercial director for D&A, and D& CEO Andrew Ferguson remarked on the Regent Street branch.

This article examines changes adopted by Tonbridge, England-based prescription laboratory Kentoptic to keep up with changing demands, as of April 2006. In keeping with the experience of local laboratories across the country Kentoptic has seen a number of changes take place. This has included a reduction in the number of independent practices, a reduction in the volume of work they provide and a move into the glazing business by the lens suppliers.

The article reports on the eye test services being offered by Manchester, England-based independent optometry practice Seen. Seen offers patients a premium eye test on top of its eye examination, which lasts around an hour, including a health and lifestyle discussion prior to the test and a six to eight page report to take away with results and advice. Tareq Moustafa and Conor Heaney, the optometrists and directors of Seen, established their practice in November 2005.

This article deals with the decision of Batemans Opticians to make the Ortho K available from its practices in England in November 2005. According to contact lens manager Steven Wright, the group became interested in the technology after discussions with RGP maker No7. It was decided that it would be good for Batemans as a group to be able to offer an alternative to laser surgery to its patients. From a business angle Ortho K is all paid for through direct debit and continuous regular debits, thus allowing a long view of patient care to be taken. INSET: Patient's progress.

Presents news briefs on the optical trade in England as of September 2005. Total deficit faced by the Peterborough council in its primary care services budget; Partnership agreement between the Royal National Institute For the Blind and Asda supermarket for a Halloween campaign to promote good eye health; Anniversary celebration of Glasses Direct at its Wiltshire offices; Relocation of ABDO CET office to Essex.

Reports on the speeches that were presented regarding the price war for contact lens at the launch of the Johnson & Johnson daily lens Acuvue Moist at the Barbican Centre in London, England on July 13, 2005. Rob Hollin, managing director for Great Britain and Ireland, on the ability of eye care practitioners to secure consumer loyalty; Shirley Bovonsombat, senior product manager for the regions, on the significance of Practice Plan company to achieve the loyalty; Independent dispensing optician Shelly Bansal on using the Practice Plan.

Presents information on a skydiving event for charity organized by the International Centre for Eye care Education to be held at the North London Parachute Centre in England on July 3, 2005. Optometrists who will be participating in the event; Beneficiaries of the event.

Reports on the Vision 2005 conference that will be held in London, England in April. Theme of the conference; Speakers in the event; Activities that will be initiated as part of the event.

Explains the position of the College of Optometrists in London, England on the introduction of integrated eye care services. Involvement of some members of the college in the services; Factors that should be considered by the college in participating in the schemes.

Reports on the launching of a code of practice for domiciliary eye care in London, England on December 7, 2004. Aim of a campaign by the Department of Health that was launched with the code; Professional bodies which will issue the code of practice; Estimated number of elderly people without eye care.

Previews the Saving Sight on the High Street meeting to debate the British National Health Service national eye care pathways to be hosted by the All Party Parliament Group at the House of Lords in England on October 26, 2004. Goal of the pathways; Participants in the discussion.

Reports on a series of sight loss information fairs in Birmingham conducted by Our Vision Too, a social action research project by De Monfort University in England. Sponsor of the project; Supporters of the project.