Opinion

Illustration of a person climbing a ladder into clouds where there is a graduation hat at one a cloud

Richard Spencer: “Optics offered far more opportunities than I had ever imagined”

From stacking shelves to carving a career in optometry, Richard Spencer, director of David Burghardt Vision Care, shares how he became an optometrist

Career development

16 Jul 4 mins

Illustration of a large arm with a clenched fist and a man in a suit in red

Adam Sampson: “There is a time when you have to stand your ground”

AOP

09 Jul 3 mins

Vikki Slade MP with OT’s Ceri Smith-Jaynes and the AOP’s Serena Box

“Optometrists have the expertise, the equipment, and we are in the community”

AOP

26 May 4 mins

hand making a heart shape

Piyus Tanna: “Listening and being there matters”

Health and wellbeing

15 May 4 mins

Illustration of a woman on a arrow with small arrows and clouds surrounding

Adam Sampson: “Our profession offers a small ray of hope”

AOP

07 May 3 mins

Illustration of man standing in court wearing a suit and the backs of three people

Neil Hilton: “These are often genuine mistakes, the kind that could happen to any of us”

Career development

25 Apr 4 mins

The team who volunteered in Uganda posing for a photograph

Robina Sharif: “It reminded me that, at its heart, optometry isn’t about technology, it’s about people”

Practitioner stories

22 Apr

Ghislaine Dunn

Ghislaine Dunn: “Leadership isn’t always a grand ambition. Sometimes it grows naturally”

Practitioner stories

28 Mar 4 mins

An optometrist carrying out an eye test on a patient. The optometrist is talking to the patient as leans around the device to do so

Expanding access to eye care through collaboration

Government and regulation

23 Mar 4 mins

Deven Lakhani presenting training

Deven Lakhani: “Clinically, this was entirely outside my comfort zone”

Practitioner stories

21 Mar 5 min read 5 mins

Event booth promoting 100% Optical and 100% Ophthalmology with dates 27 Feb to 1 Mar 2027 and social media icons.

Adam Sampson: “What a diverse and friendly community we are privileged to be part of”

AOP

05 Mar 2 mins

Illustration of a large language model with a head

Clare O’Donnell: “AI is not about replacing clinicians but about optimising capacity”

NHS and health

23 Feb 5 mins

The Macular Society’s director of research, Dr Peter Bloomsfield sitting at his laptop

Technology and treatment in eye disease

Research

08 Feb 4 mins

Illustration of clock face with 2026 and a man on it

Adam Sampson: “There is plenty of influencing to be done”

AOP

22 Jan 4 mins

Illustration of a stack of books with people climbing up

The GOC on year two of the CPD cycle

Government and regulation

20 Jan 4 mins

Close up of an eye with a test chart in the background

How equal eye care for universal credit claimants in Northern Ireland was secured

Patients

08 Jan 5 min read 5 mins

The concept of teamwork, solving problem illustration with three people holding and placing together puzzle pieces

“It’s the perfect time to get strategic with your CPD planning”

AOP

05 Jan 2 mins

Wes Streeting and Giles Edmonds

“We’re ready to play our part”

On the High Street

23 Dec 2025 3 mins

Gavin Rebello standing outside of a practice

“Curiosity and self-awareness are powerful drivers”

Practitioner stories

05 Dec 2025 4 mins

Illustration of an hourglass

“Policymaking is not about dealing in black and white; it is about deciding between shades of grey”

AOP

06 Nov 2025 5 min read 5 mins

Illustration of person with a telescope on an eye

“I’m optimistic for optometry’s future”

Practitioner stories

11 Oct 2025 5 min read 2 mins

Illustration of cars on a road

“It has ultimately brought about a real shift in government thinking”

AOP

04 Sep 2025 5 min read 4 mins

Illustration of a 3D Chat Speech Bubble on Smart Phone Screen

“We must cling hard to the values of dignity and respect which underpin all professional practice”

AOP

03 Jul 2025 3 mins

Ankur Trivedi standing talking to Paul Tyler

You won’t see it coming: why the AOP is campaigning for glaucoma care

AOP

30 Jun 2025 5 min read 5 mins

“Glaucoma services should be accessible across the entire UK”

On the High Street

28 Jun 2025 3 mins

Ross Campbell talking to another man who has his back facing the camera

“Something we do every day in practice was truly life-changing for this patient”

Career development

04 Jun 2025 4 mins

Optometrist adjusting phoropter during eye examination

“There is strong support for community optometrists to be part of the solution”

Patients

03 Jun 2025 5 min read 1 5 mins

Benji Chandra is smiling with a group of people during his volunteering trip

My volunteering experience: vision and empowerment in rural Bihar

Practitioner stories

02 Jun 2025 6 min read 7 mins

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