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The UK government stipulates that "before you start to learn to drive, make sure you are aware of the eyesight requirements. If you need glasses or corrective lenses to meet the requirements, it is a legal requirement that you wear them every time you drive." Optometrists and dispensing opticians are frequently asked by patients whether they need to wear spectacles when driving. This article reviews the relevant research in this area and aims to help eye care practitioners to answer these questions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This section offers news briefs related to optometry in Great Britain. It outlines the components of the free toolkit launched in support of practitioners during National Eye Health Week. A total of 412 British pounds were raised from the fundraising lunch to celebrate the independence of India for the charity, Sightsavers. A call for nominations of deserving optometrists for two international awards was made by the World Council of Optometry (WCO).

The article discusses the views of several optometrists in Great Britain on the milestones in eye care in 2014. Topics covered include the move of the National Health Service to recognize eye health as a public health priority and the cost-effectiveness of sight test. Also mentioned are the causes of blindness in England such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.

The article discusses the highlights of the annual Sight Care conference that was held in March 2013 in Great Britain. One speaker explored the conference theme "Adapt and Prosper" highlighting the need to surpass the patient's expectations. Another speaker talked about patient-selling in optics. A third speaker offered statistics about independent optometrists.

The article focuses on the campaign of several British organizations for children's eye health in 2011. The Optical Confederation has called on headteachers to support early eye screening. Also noted is a roundtable event hosted by Transitions Optical to raise awareness of the issue. It mentions the Top Tips guide to examining children's eyes and dispensing eyeglasses posted on the website of the Association of Optometrists (AOP).

The author comments on the survey of the Association of Optometrists (AOP) in Great Britain. He argues that AOP must listen to experiences encountered by its members in their practice. He believes that asking all members about their real experiences is the best way to have a full understanding of the practice. He urges AOP members to take time out to reply to the survey so the Association can be assisted in responding to the changing environment in eye care delivery.

The article offers news briefs related to the eye care industry in Great Britain as of October 19, 2012 including the legal support given by the Association of Optometrists (AOP) to staff of stores of the Optical Express Group that closed, and the appointment of John White as managing editor at "Optometry Today" (OT).

The article reports that optometrists are urging to help shape the UK Vision Strategy which is concern to the overall direction of eye health and sight loss services in Great Britain.

The article reports on the move by the Eye Health Alliance to negotiate with various political parties in Great Britain concerning the eye care delivered by optometrists starting in late-September 2011, including the Liberal Democratic Party and the Labour Party.

The article discusses the Back to School Children's Eye Health Campaign. The campaign, which encourages optometrists to get involved, aims to encourage parents to take their children for a sight test and improve the eye health of children in Great Britain. Polly Dulley, chair of the Optical Confederation's children committee, warns that children's eye health problems are being missed. The campaign is run by the Association of Optometrists (AOP) on behalf of the Optical Confederation.

The article presents insights on a roundtable discussion between optometrists and general practitioners (GPs) about improvement of eye care services in Great Britain through commissioning. It mentions government adviser James Kingsland who acknowledged a huge repository of untapped knowledge in optometry. It points out that GPs should be educated during commissioning. It also cites the publication of a review which emphasized the importance of vision in preventing falls and a study which found the possible reduction in older people's social care.

The article discusses the Children's Eyecare Initiative in Great Britain. It states that the initiative intends to raise awareness of the importance of eye examinations for all children among parents, teachers and healthcare workers in school. The author elaborates on the benefits to both children and optometrists of such initiative.

The article discusses whether optometrists should be worried about reports of primary care trusts (PCTs) in Great Britain that seek to control access to cataract surgery. It states that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has overtaken cataracts as the leading cause of blindness in Great Britain. According to the author, local optometry committees (LOCs) should also demand that they too should have a clear role in relation to commissioning of eye care and public eye health services.

The article offers information on hospital pre-registration placement for optometrists in Great Britain. It discusses the demands of hospital optometry, and hospital pre-registration timetables consist of refraction, contact lenses, low vision aid and dispensing. The article highlights the benefits of working in a hospital and the hands-on experience of treating various eye patients.

A calendar of events for the British eyecare industry from November 2009 to January 2010 is presented including the Hospital Optometrists Annual Conference at the Majestic Hotel in Harrogate, England, the BCLA Presidential Address at the Yorkshire Optical Society conference at Holiday Inn in West Yorkshire, England, and EyeCare 3000 at Glasgow Marriott Hotel.

The article focuses on the schools programme entitled "Eye Know Eye Care" to target Key Stage 2 primary school children and their parents in Great Britain. Transitions launched the scheme in partnership with the Association of Optometrists (AOP) and Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). The programme is designed to promote the importance of a sight test prior to starting school to ensure children will fully benefit from their education. Also noted is the significance of the participation of the optometry profession to the program.

This article highlights the June 5, 2009 meeting between Alan Johnson, new home secretary in Great Britain, and Association of Optometrists (AOP) board member Vivian Bush in East Yorkshire, England. Their meeting discussed local eye care and health issues within Johnson's Hull West and Hessle constituency. Bush says they also addressed the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) glaucoma guidelines and the expansion of optometrists' role.