ABDO

29/07/2026

ABDO College are seeking new Trustees to join their Board and help shape their future.

• Voluntary role
• Four-year term

“Make a strategic impact on the future of optical education” find out more https://buff.ly/becWOl4

29/07/2026

ABDO visited Boots Opticians’ recently-refurbished store in Wigmore Street, London, this week as part of its year-long programme celebrating 100 years of the dispensing optician profession. https://buff.ly/GxUagIZ

ABDO visited Boots Opticians’ recently-refurbished store in Wigmore Street, London, this week as part of its year-long programme celebrating 100 years of the dispensing optician (DO) profession. Launched in January, ABDO’s centenary activities are designed to recognise the vital role DOs play in...

29/07/2026

Dr Manbir Nagra is the new chair of the BCLA, following the Association’s AGM.

Dr Nagra brings extensive expertise and a longstanding commitment to the contact lens and anterior eye sector.

28/07/2026

Immediate past president Kevin Gutsell recently visited Ashley Robinson, lecturer in applied optics at Capital City College as part our 100 years of the profession celebrations.

Kevin spoke to Ashley about her career in eyecare:

How and why did you get into optics?

Completely by chance! At the time, I was working in a fairly stressful customer service role and happened to go for an eye test. I was struck by how calm and relaxed the whole experience felt, and found myself thinking, I’d much rather be doing this instead. Coincidentally, a family friend who owned an optical practice mentioned that he was looking for a new member of staff. I handed in my notice almost immediately and took a leap of faith that I would enjoy working in optics more. I enrolled on the dispensing optician course the very next day, and the rest is history.

What changes have you seen in your career?

I’ve seen significant technological advancements across the profession. Lens design has progressed enormously, with innovations such as the DNEye scanner allowing practitioners to assess higher-order aberrations specific to the individual. There have also been exciting developments in assistive technologies for visually impaired patients, including AI-powered apps that can narrate and interpret the surrounding world. More broadly, AI-integrated diagnostic screening tools have advanced considerably and continue to shape the future of eye care.

What do you love about being a DO?

I love being able to use my knowledge to problem-solve and provide patients with an individualised, tailored experience. As a lecturer, I particularly enjoy finding different ways to teach optical concepts and calculations, recognising that everyone learns differently. I also enjoy being challenged, whether that’s by an unusual question in the classroom or a complex patient case in practice.

What do you value most about being an ABDO member?

What I value most is the wide range of CPD opportunities offered through ABDO, alongside the guidance, resources and support available to members through the website.

28/07/2026

Our 2026 ABDO members annual review meeting will take place online on 7 October, 7pm.

Join us to hear updates, celebrate achievements and help shape the future direction of the organisation.

Bookings open 19 August.

Save the date in your diary today. If you are unable to join us live, a recording will be shared with everyone who has registered

28/07/2026

Aves Opticians & Hearing Care has a vacancy for a dispensing optician in Epping

• £30,000 - £35,000
• Full Time
• Permanent

“An exciting opportunity to join a thriving independent practice where you can fully utilise your professional dispensing skills.”

Find out more https://buff.ly/fwaz6pC

27/07/2026

Newmedica in collaboration with ABDO invites you to an exclusive tour and CPD event for ABDO members only.

Arrival will start from 6pm and will finish at 8pm. Refreshments available.
Newmedica will give you a tour of their state of the art facilities and then provide a discussion workshop worth 3 interactive CPD points

Book here https://buff.ly/51iffRn

27/07/2026

Frost Borneo Opticians has a vacancy for a dispensing optician in Henley-on-Thames

“This is an exciting opportunity for a dispensing optician to join our truly independent award-winning private practice in Henley on Thames”

Find out more https://buff.ly/DkdOyxS

27/07/2026

Three leading optical sector organisations have written jointly to the GOC to highlight significant areas of agreement emerging from their respective responses to the regulator’s consultation on the future approach to setting registrant fees.

Three leading optical sector organisations have written jointly to the General Optical Council (GOC) to highlight significant areas of agreement emerging from their respective responses to the regulator’s consultation on the future approach to setting registrant fees. While ABDO, the Association o...

23/07/2026

ABDO vice president Deborah Bill visited Newsomes Opticians as part for centenary celebrations.

Newsomes Opticians is at the heart of the community in Ivybridge. Daryl Newsome is a past president of ABDO, ABDO examiner, Chair of the ABDO College Trustees and president of JOCEU. Daryl and his business partner Jane, employ five dispensing opticians and currently have a trainee DO.

Whilst she was their Deborah asked Daryl a few questions about his career.

How and why did you get into optics?

Darryl Newsome FBDO R CL SMC (Tech) – Because my father was an Optician. I started with him to see what it was like, and I ended up loving it.

What changes have you seen in your career?

Daryl has been qualified as a DO for 42 years, a CLO for 32 years and an examiner for 32 years also. The amount of options available, when I started we had 5 progressive lens options, now there are 1000 plus. Lenticular lessons were commonplace as very few pseudo-phakics, 95% of lenses were glass, whereas now 95% are plastic. With the introduction of MECS and other enhanced services, the role of the DO has changed to be more clinical. There were no dry eye assessment or advice and no myopia management.

What do you love about being a dispensing optician?

The variety of the role. I dispense, glaze, fit contact lenses, offer MECS, teach, examine. It has given me a wealth of opportunities with being on the ABDO board, past president and chairman of trustees.

What do you value most about being an ABDO member?

Being part of an extended family, providing networking and support. Knowledge based support with the hub, CPD and ongoing training opportunities.