It is possible to take many - ABDO

dispensingoptics 

November 2009 

Dispensing Optics 

PO Box 233, Crowborough TN6 9BD 

Telephone: 01892 667626 

Fax: 01892 667626 

Email: do@abdo.uk.com 

Website: www.abdo.org.uk

3 dispensingoptics 

Brighton 09 

We went to Brighton this year for the 

Annual Conference and Exhibition 

with the hope of exceeding last year's 

success in Manchester. The fact that 

we did so in these difficult economic 

times is a real testament to all those 

members who attended and to the 

efforts of the ABDO team and the 

expertise of our partners at Event 

Exchange. Brighton turned out to be 

the largest ABDO event for very many 

years. 

I was delighted that our new 

innovations were so well received 

particularly the SpecTech forum with 

leading International speakers. I had 

so many members tell me that it was 

different and enjoyable that I really 

hope we can build on this feature in 

the years to come. 

We also had the wonderful 

experience of having Bernard 

ABDO actively works in 

conjunction with: 

Cover point 

Maitenaz as our guest. Here was a real 

star of the optical world who 50 years 

ago developed the first Varilux lens. 

The whole world has now embraced 

his work and it was wonderful that he 

was able to accept Honorary 

Fellowship of our Association. 

All of us at ABDO are most grateful to 

our sponsors and exhibitors for their 

continued support. Our only regret is 

that despite the increased 

attendance we still had room for 

more!Supporting the companies 

which support us is vital for the future 

of this great event and I sincerely 

hope that members reading all about 

this year's event in this edition will 

resolve to put next year's conference 

in the diary now - 9-11 October at 

Celtic Manor. 

Tony Garrett ■ 

The Worshipful Company 

of Spectacle Makers 

CONTENTS 

November 2009 

3 Cover point 

by Tony Garrett 

4 Continuing Education 

and Training 

The tragedy of errors 

by Duncan Counter 

14 ABDO Conference and 

Exhibition 

Brighton rocks! 

by Ann Johnson 

28 Low vision 

Be low vision aware in everyday 

dispensing 

by SarahRoutly 

32 Health and safety 

part nine 

Mrs Bendix creates her risk 

assessment 

by Mike Hall 

36 Newsbrief 

36 Optician Index 

August 2009 summary 

37 Points from the President 

42 BCLA news 

New formats for contact lens 

education 

44 Disjointed jottings from 

a DO’s desk . . . 

Getting opinions on board 

by Gillian Twyning 

45 Book review 

Environmental and Occupational 

Optometry 

46 CET answers 

A visually impaired patient’s first 

low vision assessment 

47 Diary of Events

4 dispensingoptics November 2009 

The tragedy 

of errors By Duncan Counter FBDO 

CompetencIes covered: Optical appliances 

Target groups: Dispensing opticians, optometrists 

It is possible to take many 

measurements when fitting a pair of 

spectacles. It is, unfortunately, also the 

case that on many occasions too few 

measurements are taken to enable full 

and proper function of the spectacles 

in question. This article will look at 

many of those measurements and 

explore the likely outcomes if those 

measurements are incorrectly taken or 

ignored. 

Although there is no doubt that a pair 

of lenses made with simple spherical 

curves from a material with a 

refractive index of around 1.5 and to a 

prescription under ±1.00D will permit a 

certain amount of inaccuracy in the 

positioning of its optical centres, there 

is no reason for even unconsciously 

allowing this to happen. As the power 

of the lenses increases and their 

design becomes more complex the 

accuracy of each measurement, both 

linear and angular, assumes greater 

and greater significance. The 

likelihood of patient intolerance to 

inaccurate or ignored parameters rises 

also, and when lens material and form 

changes are thrown into the melting 

pot more potential problems come 

with them. 

It is also impossible to ignore the 

aberrations which plague a spectacle 

lens when reviewing the importance 

of accurate measurement. Oblique 

astigmatism, transverse chromatic 

aberration and distortion will all play 

their part and be exacerbated by 

poor or ignored measurement; and 

the sophistication of the lens design 

usually involves specific fitting 

demands or the necessity of taking a 

specific series of measurements. 

The measurements under 

consideration will fall into four main 

groups; those which are directly 

associated with lens centration, those 

which principally impact on lens 

power, those which if incorrect can 

induce unwanted elements to the 

correction, and those which influence 

the positions of the various parts of a 

multifocal. Points under consideration 

will be how errors can occur and 

avoiding them, the impact of the error 

(or indeed ignoring the parameter 

altogether) and the occasions when 

deliberately causing the ‘inaccuracy’ 

can be used to advantage. 

Lens aberrations 

Figure 1 lists the main aberrations that 

This article has been approved for 2 CET points by the GOC. It is open to all FBDO members, including 

associate member optometrists. Insert your answers to the twelve multiple choice questions (MCQs) on 

the answer sheet inserted in this issue and return by 12 December 2009 to ABDO CET, Courtyard Suite 6, 

Braxted Park, Great Braxted, Witham CM8 3GA OR fax to 01621 890203, or complete online at 

www.abdo.org.uk. Notification of your mark and the correct answers will be sent to you. If you complete 

online, please ensure that your email address and GOC number are up-to-date. The pass mark is 60 per 

cent. The answers will appear in our January 2009 issue. 

affect the image formed by a 

spectacle lens and mentions that the 

two main methods available to control 

the image quality are lens form and 

material. Indeed, returning to first 

principles, it is seen that these two are 

the constituent contributors to lens 

power, F = (n-1)/r being one of the first 

relationships that is learned in the 

study of ophthalmic lenses. 

Unfortunately, as a rule of thumb, any 

attempt to reduce aberrations results 

in a loss of cosmetic acceptability and 

vice versa. The increase of curvature in 

an attempt to decrease oblique 

astigmatism makes the lens less 

attractive or the increase in refractive 

index to make the lens thinner bringing 

with it increased chromatic 

aberration/blur. These challenges can 

be eased when the oblique astigmatism 

is neutralised by use of an aspheric 

lens form, enabling choice of 

refractive index to be made from 

materials with a slightly less severe 

Abbe number, due to the impact on 

thickness and appearance of the 

form. However, whilst hyperopes will 

find these lenses totally appealing with 

the only query with regard to why the 

reduced oblique astigmatism “doesn’t 

go all the way to the edge” (careful 

C-12136

Of the six aberrations that affect the image 

formed by a spectacle lens: oblique 

astigmatism, transverse chromatic aberration, 

spherical aberration, curvature of field, 

distortion and coma; only the first two can be 

controlled to any degree. The very presence 

of the iris as a limiting aperture has a 

diminishing influence on spherical aberration, 

coma and curvature of field, but changes to 

the lens can help with oblique astigmatism 

and chromatic aberration. Control of lens form 

will help diminish oblique astigmatism and 

control of lens material will influence TCA. 

Distortion, which can be a large problem, 

particularly in positive power lenses, can be 

lessened in higher positive powers by use of 

an aspheric lens form. 

Figure 1 Figure 3a: Centration and pantoscopic angle 2 

lens size selection can help here) some 

myopes may find the restrictions of the 

aspheric area annoying and some 

(particularly those with reasonable 

cylindrical correction) may notice that 

some residual errors on the aspheric 

surface can actually induce slight 

blurring, although more recent atoric or 

bi-aspheric lenses will reduce this effect 1 . 

It can generally be said that today, 

aspheric lenses are used in place of 

best form lenses – this as with best 

form, brings with it demands for 

accuracy of fitting. Without this 

necessary care, all the advantages 

gained by selecting the sophisticated 

lens type in terms of reduction of 

aberrations and thickness, and indeed 

spending time explaining to the 

patient why this is a good idea, are 

Prentice’s rule 

P = cF 

Is used to link lens power, centration and 

prism. It is one of the most commonly used 

formulae in day to day practice. It can be 

used to calculate the prismatic effect caused 

by poor centration of the lenses (thus 

enabling comparison with BS tolerances) or 

to calculate how much prism is required to 

induce prescribed prism by decentration. For 

example: A pair of spectacles Rx R +4.00 L 

+5.00 centration distance 64 is found on 

verification to have OCs set at 68. The 

unwanted prism can be calculated by 

dividing the error by 2 to give an error for 

each eye and using it as c in the formula for 

each lens power individually. Remembering 

that c is used in centimeters: 

R: P = cF; P = 0.2 x 4; P = 0.8∅ OUT 

L: P = cF; P = 0.2 x 5; P = 1.0∅ OUT 

Adding together to get a differential gives 

1.8∅ OUT which can then be compared with 

the appropriate BS tolerance 

Figure 2 

Visual axis 

Optical axis of lens 

wasted as the aberrations creep back 

again due to slapdash fitting. 

Lens centration 

Probably the most common error 

encountered, usually when verifying 

spectacles before collection or when 

rechecking as a result of a patient 

reporting with problems, the correct 

positioning of the optical centres of 

any pair of lenses is paramount. It 

could be argued, as above, that for a 

pair of -0.50DS spheres manufactured 

in CR39 the centres could be almost a 

centimetre away from the patient’s 

pupil centres and they would still be 

alright, but why do it? No advantage 

physically or cosmetically will be 

gained due to the fact that the 

prescription is so close to plano that 

thickness and weight differences will 

be nonexistent, all it leads to is careless 

dispensing and the possibility that the 

same laissez faire attitude will later be 

carried forward into the dispensing of 

higher prescriptions where the impact 

will be greater. The problem caused 

by this, of course, is induced 

unwanted prismatic effects during use 

which will cause unnecessary 

horizontal diplopia. Younger patients 

will often accept and get used to this 

to the extent that a later attempt to 

set the optical centres in the correct 

position leads to rejection of the new 

spectacles. The only way to overcome 

this unfortunately too-common 

problem is to gradually move the 

centres back to the correct settings 

over two or three pairs of spectacles, 

keeping the patient informed and 

maintaining very full and accurate 

records of what is being done so that 

colleagues in practice can pick up 

the thread if necessary – it also 

Continuing Education and Training 

Pantoscopic angle 

Centre of rotation of eye 

encourages the patient to return for 

future pairs, in order to continue the 

remedial work. The magnitude of the 

error can be calculated using 

Prentice’s Rule, P=cF, to calculate how 

much prism is induced using the error 

in centration and the power of the 

lenses as shown in Figure 2. 

In the vertical meridian the 

consequences of irregular centre 

positions will manifest themselves 

much more readily in terms of patient 

acceptance, as real tolerance to 

unwanted prism differential is much 

lower. If the centres are positioned at 

different heights (accidentally) even 

lower powered lenses will induce 

enough unwanted prism to 

encourage the perceptive wearer to 

want to use the spectacles at an 

angle to try and overcome the visual 

discomfort. However, even if the 

vertical optical centres are placed at 

the correct levels relative to one 

another, if they are not placed in the 

correct vertical position for the 

selected frame and its pantoscopic 

angle many modern, sophisticated 

lens types will not function to full 

potential. Particularly aspheric, high 

refractive index and any lenses of high 

power such as lenticulars require this 

level of attention. Figure 3a illustrates 

the importance of the optical axis of 

the lens passing through the centre of 

rotation of the eye, with the natural 

angle that is placed on the frame 

giving rise to a need for movement of 

the optical centre, thus showing the 

real pantoscopic angle. An increase in 

pantoscopic angle demands lowering 

of the centres, a decrease the 

opposite; the mathematics of it 

Continued overleaf


Figure 3b Figure 4 

working out to a change of 

approximately 1mm for each 2° of 

pantoscopic angle 3 . If adopting this 

method, it is important to take an 

accurate measurement of the 

pantoscopic angle (the angle 

between the spectacle plane and the 

normal to the primary direction of the 

eye, usually horizontal) of the frame to 

be used – Figure 3b shows this being 

done with one of the many devices 

available today for this purpose. 

Failure to ensure that the vertical 

centration/pantoscopic angle 

relationship is correct will not totally 

ruin the patient’s ability to use the 

spectacles – the patient will often not 

be able to specifically describe the 

reason for dissatisfaction. Like so many 

Vertex distance 

If, when the prescription exceeds ±5.00D, the 

vertex distance measured during dispensing 

a pair of spectacles is found to be different to 

that recorded on the prescription by the 

optometrist, then the power of the lenses in 

the finished pair will be incorrect. Although 

this task is usually carried out by a computer 

today, the difference can be looked up in 

tables such as those found in Ophthalmic 

Lens Availability 4 or alternatively calculated 

using: 

Fe = 

Figure 5 

F 

1-dF 

Where d is the change in vertex distance in 

metres and F the original power. Remember 

that d can be positive or negative, negative 

for an increase in vertex distance, positive for 

the reverse. For those who like quick check 

calculations, the effective power of the lens 

changes by F²/1000 for each mm change of 

position, with the lens having to be made 

more positive (less negative) as it is moved 

closer to the eye and the reverse as it moves 

further away. 

of these little errors, it will lessen the 

absolute clarity of the image formed 

by re-introducing aberrations, 

especially oblique astigmatism, (see 

above) that careful lens selection 

have hopefully reduced. As will be 

seen below, this does not apply with 

PPLs where the pantoscopic angle is 

pre-decided (see below), or bifocals 

due to the additional factors such as 

the segment. 

So the watchword in the case of 

centration is care when actually 

taking the measurements; care that 

the person executing the task is on the 

same eyelevel as the patient and 

square on to them to avoid any 

monocular inaccuracies and giving 

rise to displacement of the centres; 

care to ensure that influencing factors 

such as pantoscopic angle have been 

taken into account; and care to 

ensure that a cover test has been 

done to ensure any muscle 

imbalances have been identified and 

accounted for when finally positioning 

the OCs. 

Lens power 

The principal topics here are going to 

be errors in fitting position that are 

likely to affect the power of the lens, 

with the natural first of these being 

vertex distance. However, modern 

progress technologically has made 

other fitting measurements impact on 

lens power, particularly cylindrical 

power. Measurements such as 

pantoscopic angle/angle of side and 

face form angle are increasingly 

needed when fitting PPLs, aspherics 

and lenses incorporating freeform 

technology, or any combination of the 

three. 

Vertex distance 

The measurement of vertex distance in 

the consulting room during the eye 

examination (required by BS2738 for 

prescriptions over ±5.00D) and its use 

when dispensing if the spectacles 

require a different vertex distance to 

that recorded on the prescription 

should be a daily occurrence in 

practice. Figure 4 shows one of the 

many ways of measuring the distance 

from the apex of the cornea to the 

back vertex of the spectacle lens, 

here using a transparent ruler zeroed 

on the edge of the lens at the position 

of the back vertex. Any difference 

between this and that written on the 

prescription will require that the 

prescription be altered to allow for this 

(see Figure 5 for detail on how this 

might be done). Although insignificant 

in lower powers (for small differences 

even in those just over the ±5.00D line) 

as the power increases or when the 

difference in vertex distances is great, 

failure to do this can become very 

significant to the patient. 

The most common complaint will be 

that “they aren’t as good as my old 

ones” or that they can improve the 

clarity of their vision by pushing their 

spectacles backwards on their nose, 

thus adding more minus to their 

prescription. The latter is particularly 

common from myopes, who tend to 

be more sensitive to these issues than 

hyperopes, and indicates that the 

spectacles have been dispensed at 

too great a vertex distance. It is also 

important to remember that when 

calculating the effective power for a 

prescription with a significant cylinder 

that the powers must be treated 

Continued overleaf


Figure 6 5 : Courtesy of Rupp+Hubrach 

individually, in cross cyl form as it were, 

for the most effective result. 

Face form angle 

Another factor that can affect the 

power of a lens, particularly a cylinder, 

is face form angle. This is particularly 

appropriate when fitting deep base 

wrap around lenses for sport, where 

most manufacturers will automatically 

make the necessary adjustments to 

the lens powers if provided with, 

particularly, the face form angle when 

the spectacles are in wear. As a wraparound 

frame will give totally different 

face form angles depending on the 

patient’s head size, an accurate 

reading for this is essential. The lenses 

would then be made, normally 

employing freeform technology, and 

the patient would achieve a much 

more effective visual performance 

when looking straight ahead through 

the lenses which are actually inclined 

quite sharply across their line of vision. 

Figure 6 shows a comparison between 

the required prescriptions for different 

degrees of wrap. It is interesting to 

note that the overall power of the lens 

changes little but is shared noticeably 

differently between spherical and 

cylindrical elements and the axis can 

also change a significant amount. 

With some prism entering into the mix 

as well it does not take a lot of 

imagination to appreciate how 

different the vision through these 

lenses would be without the 

adjustments to the power parameters. 

There are other elements which can 

influence power, particularly with 

multifocals when both the position and 

relative vertex distance of the reading 

areas may have to be taken into 

account. Failure to adjust power when 

necessary is likely to be far more 

tangible to the wearer, with genuine 

visual shortfall the result – the patient 

should be quick to complain, but 

often perpetuated errors of this sort 

lead them to believe that it actually 

cannot be improved. Knowledge of 

when caution and perhaps 

recalculation need to be made is the 

key factor here, leading to provision 

being made before the event rather 

than at the point of patient complaint. 

Induced errors 

These are effects caused by the 

incorrect positioning of the lenses and 

can be accidental or deliberate. As 

discussed above, the incorrect 

placement of an optical centre will 

introduce prism into the patient’s line 

of vision. If this prism is accidental or 

unwanted this is a bad thing – as 

stated above they can become 

accustomed to it. If the prism is 

deliberately induced, however, it can 

be desirable and indeed prescribed 

prism is often induced by decentring 

the lens more or less than necessary, 

thus saving the additional cost of 

worked prism. This would be 

calculated using Prentice’s Rule, P=cF, 

as illustrated in Figure 2. 

An even more useful application of 

Prentice’s rule is in the dispensing of 

bifocals to overcome unwanted prism 

that is present at the near visual point 

due to the distance prescription being 

anisometropic in the vertical meridian. 

By dispensing round segments of 

different sizes neutralising prism can be 

deliberately induced at the NVP – 

prism due to the segment only, and 

able to provide base down prism of 

differing amounts in each eye, 

independent of the distance 

prescription which is what caused the 

problem in the first place. This 

deliberately induced differential prism 

can be used to completely neutralise 

that donated by the main lens, or 

bring it within tolerable limits if that 

would be neater. 

In order to calculate the difference 

between the two segment diameters 

the formula: 

6 

20 x differentialprism 

d1-d2 = 

Add 

can be used. This is a derivation from 

P = cF and is a classic example of 

deliberately inducing prism (thus not 

unwanted) in order to solve a problem 

for a patient. 

Multifocal parameters 

Those measurements specific to 

multifocal lenses, taken in addition to 

those discussed with reference to 

positioning optical centres, will mainly 

be directed toward positioning the 

parts of the lens which provide the 

extra features. These will not 

necessarily be intermediate or reading 

portions, but could be a distance 

portion in a lens primarily used for 

reading for example. The four main 

multifocals under consideration will be 

bifocals, trifocals, PPLs and enhanced 

reading lenses. 

Bifocals 

Here the position of the segment is the 

crucial parameter. A large 

percentage of the time this will be 

placed below and slightly inwards 

from the already determined main 

lens optical centres but will not always 

be so. Wherever the segment is to be 

placed it is important to ensure that 

accuracy both horizontally and 

vertically is achieved; in this way the 

patient is guaranteed maximum 

performance in a pair of spectacles 

which is always going to be a 

compromise in certain areas. The main 

result of poor vertical positioning is 

fairly obvious – the wearer will 

complain of difficulty finding the full 

reading area because they have to 

crane their neck due to the segment 

being too low, or constantly being 

aware of the dividing line when, say, 

driving or watching TV if the segment is 

too high. Horizontal positioning is 

crucial also. People’s ability to

Figure 7 

converge unquestionably varies, not 

only from one person to another but 

as they get older and their 

accommodative ability declines. 

Sometimes a seemingly unexplainable 

non-tolerance to a bifocal (centres, 

angles and heights all correct) can be 

attributable to the inset of the 

segment. It will usually be an elderly 

hyperopic patient, who is struggling to 

overcome the base out prism from the 

distance portion in addition to the 

decline of their own ability to 

converge. Extra inset (deliberately 

inducing base in from the segment) 

can sometimes alleviate this. 

Usually only encountered today in the 

cases of elderly people who started 

wearing bifocals back in the time of 

NHS spectacles, it is possible to 

inadvertently, with the best of 

intentions, fall into the trap of 

changing a patient from round 

segment bifocals to something more 

sophisticated. Most of the patients still 

wearing round segments will be 

hyperopes, and will be doing so 

because they like the prism base 

down provided by the segment 

shape, and the way it fully or partly 

neutralises the base up prism they get 

as they look downwards in the 

positively powered distance portion. 

Any move to a straight top bifocal will 

deprive them of this base down prism 

and change their reading position for 

the worse; they will usually be more 

than happy to accept the momentary 

‘Jump’ as they cross the dividing line in 

order to retain their comfortable 

reading position. Jump, of course, is 

the sudden introduction of prism as 

the eye crosses the dividing line of a 

bifocal or trifocal lens (less apparent in 

trifocals due to the more ‘staged’ 

introduction of the full addition. It is a 

product of the reading addition and 

the distance from the dividing line to 

the centre of the segment 8 and is 

much more noticeable in round 

segments than in D, C or the E-line 

with its no-jump characteristic. 

Trifocals 

The position of the segment top was 

important in bifocals; it assumes totally 

different significance when fitting 

trifocals. It has to be taken into 

account that the intermediate portion 

of the lens takes up quite a proportion 

of the lens area. As a result, simply 

placing the top of the intermediate 

segment of a conventional trifocal 

(eg, S728) in a relatively standard 

position, for example midway 

between lower limbus and pupil 

bottom, will sometimes lead to 

rejection due to lack of accessibility of 

the reading area, an issue which must 

be thoroughly discussed with the 

patient when dispensing trifocals for 

the first time. With a shallow frame 

selection it is very likely that most of 

the reading portion will be cut away in 

glazing so a suitably deep frame 

choice should be offered and the 

intermediate segment top placed 

high enough to allow access if 

reading is an important required 

feature. If the use is primarily 

distance/intermediate then a slightly 

lower setting is acceptable. It is entirely 

feasible that a trifocal intermediate 

segment top could be set anywhere 

from just above lower limbus to just 

above pupil centre depending on use. 

For vocational trifocals the big 

question is often with regard to 

Continuing Education and Training 

The Double D trifocal consists of a distance (always) portion for the main lens 

with two D28 segments separated by 14mm. This separation allows the lower 

segment top to be set at lower limbus leaving the upper segment line just 

above the upper limbus, although this positioning can be altered to suit patient 

needs. The adds can be the same in both segments (range 1.50 – 3.00) or a 

60% IP/RP ratio (range 1.75 – 3.00). Available from Norville Optical Company 

precisely where the segments are set, 

with two segments to consider, often 

widely separated. The very term 

‘vocational’ suggests that this is going 

to be subjective, dependent on the 

requirements of the wearer. The most 

likely (and most readily available, 

although alternatives are available 

from Germany via Rodenstock) trifocal 

to be used here is the ‘Double D’ 

trifocal (see Figure 7). Here the most 

likely prescription arrangement is going 

to be distance main lens – this is the 

only position for distance in this lens 

although the segments can differ – 

with intermediate as the top segment 

and near as the lower, for overhead 

arms length work and normal close 

work below. For this scenario the most 

likely position (as it will be in most 

cases) is the lower reading segment 

top on lower limbus, with the vertical 

iris diameter (roughly 12mm) and the 

segment separation (14mm) placing 

the upper intermediate dividing line 

just above upper limbus. This, of 

course, can be changed if the patient 

struggles to find the upper segment. 

Griffiths states “The important thing to 

remember is that the segs should not 

be directly in front of the pupil when 

the patient is looking straight ahead.” 7 

Progressive power lenses (PPLs) 

Often neglected in the ‘care stakes’ 

due to the relative simplicity of fitting 

of a traditional PPL, it is very easy to 

send a patient out of the door with a 

pair of spectacles that function nearly, 

but not quite, perfectly. This is another 

case where small inaccuracies will not 

ruin the performance of the lenses, 

merely degrade it slightly. The most 

common area for this is in not 

Continued overleaf


acknowledging that, even in a 

standard PPL, there is a requirement to 

fit to a preset pantoscopic angle. For 

almost all ‘stock’ PPLs this falls 

between 8° and 12° with 10° as a 

good average. If fitted at any other 

angle then allowance should be 

made in the centre positions to 

compensate for the fact that the lens 

has been pre-decentred for an angle 

of between 8° and 12°. The classic 

symptom of this is when a patient 

returns with a comment that one or 

other element of the prescription 

(usually associated with the corridor) 

does not appear to be functioning as 

hoped, and by tilting the front of the 

frame in front of their eyes 

improvement can be made. 

The other principal area for error is the 

classic insufficient depth below fitting 

cross. Not seen very often in recent 

times this is obviated by careful 

measurement and frame selection 

before fitting, plus the existence of 

short corridor PPLs for use if needed. 

Now, some manufacturers have 

started giving ‘optimal fitting heights’ 

as well as ‘minimum fitting heights’ in 

their accompanying literature to help 

further in avoiding this. 

With ‘bespoke’ progressive, the 

demands of the manufacturer’s for a 

wider range of measurements tends to 

prompt the necessary care as a 

matter of course. 

Enhanced reading lenses 

These relative newcomers to the range 

of lens types we have to offer are a 

godsend in these days of extensive 

computer use. The principal difficulty 

with these lenses is the difference in 

fitting parameters required from one 

product to another. Although pretty 

much all of them are ordered using 

and designed around the reading 

prescription, there is a wide variety of 

fitting positions, and it is important to 

ensure that the correct fitting 

parameters are employed in each 

case. 

So with all multifocals, in addition to 

the care and time recommended 

above, a thorough knowledge of the 

product supplied will ensure its full and 

effective function. 

Frame measurements 

In addition to those already 

mentioned certain frame 

measurements will impact on the 

function of the lenses if incorrect. 

Temple width, if too small, will push the 

frame forwards and alter the vertex 

distance thus impacting on lens 

power. Length to bend will have the 

same impact if too long and allowing 

the frame to slip forward; both of these 

will affect a high myope dramatically 

as this forward movement will make 

their prescription effectively less minus, 

leading to loss of clarity at distance, as 

mentioned above. If the length to 

bend is too short the side tips will tend 

to ride upwards at the ear point, 

effectively increasing the pantoscopic 

angle and turning the lower frame rim 

in towards the cheeks. This will cause a 

PPL lens, for example, to lose the edge 

off its performance by reducing its 

effectiveness at almost all visual 

ranges. Distance between pad 

centres (DBPC) is the bane of all 

wearers of frames with adjustable 

pads on arms because it is so easily 

changed accidentally whist cleaning 

the lenses or pushing the frame 

around in wear – falling asleep whilst 

wearing is a classic cause of this. Any 

change of the DBPC will change the 

vertical position of the OCs or fitting 

position – a nightmare for any 

multifocal wearer, but potentially a 

performance reducer for any 

sophisticated lens form or material. 

And finally 

There is, of course, a happy ending to 

our ‘Tragedy of errors’. If the necessary 

amount of care is taken in the initial 

measurement at fitting, and indeed if 

enough measurements are taken; and 

if sufficient time and attention is given 

to final adjustment at collection then 

the tale of woe becomes a scenario 

of great satisfaction for all. By ensuring 

that all measurements are accurately 

recorded and retained with the 

patient record this level of service can 

be perpetuated for future patient visits 

and a lifelong professional relationship 

with them. 

This is the last CET article of this CET period. Members who are short of 

their points requirement can contact the CET Office for advice. 

Duncan Counter FBDO, is a 

freelance dispensing optician 

and trainer in optical topics. He 

has been training in optics for 

many years, both for ABDO and 

company training sessions for 

past employers. He is a practical 

examiner and has a long history 

of representative work within the 

Association, including a term as 

President in the mid-90s, and is a 

past Chairman of the CET 

Committee. Having worked in 

practice in many roles since the 

late 1960s; for the last three years 

he has focussed principally on 

training. He regularly lectures in 

the Far East, has written several 

CET-approved articles and given 

many CET presentations 

throughout the UK and Ireland. 

References 

1. Jalie M. Aspheric lenses for the 

normal power range Eyes 2005;Sept 

2. Jalie M. Ophthalmic Lenses and 

Dispensing. 2nd ed. London: 

Butterworth-Heinemann;2003 p45 

Fig 3.14 




Fig 3.4 

4. Cubbidge R. Ophthalmic Lens 

Availability. London: ABDO;2009 

p335 

5. Reproduced with thanks to 

Rupp+Hubrach, Germany 




7. Griffiths A I. Practical Dispensing. 3rd 

ed. London: ABDO;2000 p118 

8. Jalie M. The Principles of Ophthalmic 

Lenses. 2nd ed. London: ADO;1972 

p161 ■ 

MCQs overleaf


Multiple choice questions (MCQs): Tragedy of errors 

1. A patient is being fitted with aspheric lenses into 

a new frame which is found to have a pantoscopic 

angle of 8°. Where should the position of the vertical 

centre be to ensure the smallest amount of oblique 

astigmatism in wear as possible? Assume the 

patient’s primary direction of eye is 

horizontal. 

a. 4mm above pupil centre 

b. 4mm below pupil centre 

c. 8mm above pupil centre 

d. 8mm below pupil centre 

2. Which one of the following lens aberrations can be 

controlled by careful selection of the lens material? 

a. Coma 

b. Distortion 

c. Curvature of field 

d. Chromatic aberration 

3. How much decentration would be required to induce 

the prescribed prism in the following prescription: 

R +4.00/+1.00 x 180 2 ∅ IN L +5.00DS 2 ∅ IN ? 

a. 4mm inwards in both lenses 

b. 4mm inwards in the right, 5mm inwards in the left 

c. 5mm inwards in the right, 4mm inwards in the left 

d. 4mm outwards in both lenses 

4. What statement best describes the term 

‘pantoscopic angle’? 

a. The angle between the side and a normal to the back 

plane of the front 

b. The angle between the plane of the front and a 

tangent to the front of the wearer’s face 

c. The angle between the plane of the front and a normal 

to the primary direction of the eye 

d. The angle between the plane of the front and the 

wearer’s browline 

5. Which British Standard states that any prescription whose 

power is greater than ±5.00D should always have the vertex 

distance at which the examination was conducted 

recorded on it? 

a. BS 2738 

b. BS EN 166/167 

c. BS 3521 

d. BS 6903 

6. Which of the following options would be closest to the 

correct effective power if the following prescription 

is dispensed into a frame with a vertex distance of 

9mm: R -9.25/-3.75 x 65 L -11.00/-4.25 x 120 vertex 

distance 12mm ? 

a. There would be no change necessary 

b. R -9.75/-4.00 x 65 L -11.50/-4.50 x 120 

c. R -9.75/-3.75 x 65 L -11.50/-4.25 x 120 

d. R -9.00/-3.50 x 65 L -10.75/-3.75 x 120 

The deadline for posted or faxed response is 12 December 2009 to the address on page 4. The module code is C-12136 

Online completion - www.abdo.org.uk - after member log-in go to ‘CET online’ 

7. If a 35 year old patient whose prescription is 

R -8.75/-1.25 x45 L -9.25 DS reports complaining that their 

distance vision is greatly improved when they ‘push their 

spectacles back on the bridge of their nose’, which of the 

following is the most likely cause? 

a. They have selected the wrong lenses 

b. The vertex distance of the frame is too great 

c. The vertex distance of the frame is too small 

d. The original prescription is incorrect 

8. What is the distance between the two dividing lines on a 

Double D trifocal? 

a. 7mm 

b. 11mm 

c. 14mm 

d. Any distance can be made 

9. When measuring a patient’s interpupillary distance, why 

is it important to carry out a cover test before 

measurement? 

a. To check whether the patient’s eyes are the same 

colour 

b. To check for any muscle imbalances 

c. To see if their lashes are going to brush against the 

lenses of their spectacles 

d. To see if their pupil centres are higher than the crest of 

their bridge 

10. When fitting standard PPLs, which one of the following 

parameters should be satisfied to ensure the most effective 

performance of the lenses? 

a. A pantoscopic angle of between 2° and 6° 

b. A frame BCD roughly the same as the patient’s 

distance PD 

c. An angle of side between 9° and 11° 

d. A pantoscopic angle of between 8° and 12° 

11. Some elderly hyperopes prefer to stay with their long 

standing round segment bifocals rather than change to a 

more modern design such as a D or C segment, despite the 

apparent advantages. What is the principal optical reason 

for this? 

a. They prefer the appearance of the round segments 

b. They like the very rounded top of the segment 

c. They find that their reading position is more natural with 

the round segments 

d. They find that the jump at the dividing line is a reassuring 

reminder of the segment top position 

12. For the same reading addition, which of the following 

bifocal types offers the most image ‘jump’ at their dividing 

line as the wearer’s eye crosses it? 

a. E-line 

b. C segment 

c. D segment 

d. Round segment 

Occasionally, printing errors are spotted after the journal has gone to print. Notifications can be viewed at www.abdo.org.uk 

on the CET Online page

Hi-Res version 

on Lavenham 

ftp site


Brighton rocks! 

At ABDO’s Conference and 

Exhibition, held this year in 

Brighton, membership and 

guests gathered together to 

enjoy a vibrant and robust 

weekend of education and 

celebration. The event 

demonstrated how 

dispensing opticians have 

much to be proud of as their 

Association propels the 

profession successfully 

forward through turbulent 

times - evolving into a force 

to be reckoned with. 

Report: Ann Johnson 

Photographs by Williams Photo Agency 

and Nigel Hawks 

Save the date for next year’s 

Conference and Exhibition at the Celtic 

Manor Hotel, Newport, Wales: 

Saturday 9 – Monday 11 October 2010 

In an era of astonishing financial 

uncertainty, when high street banks 

and multi-nationals crash, the 

profession of dispensing optics not only 

endures, it goes from strength to 

strength. Steered by the Association, 

ABDO members remain motivated, 

unified and focused in the volatile 

modern day business arena. Yet this 

consolidated but forceful optical 

sector also retains a uniquely intimate 

and friendly professional culture. 

In his welcoming speech, ABDO 

President Barry Duncan assured 

delegates that: “This weekend marks a 

significant time for ABDO through Part 

Two of our new look conference, 

which has become bigger, better and 

more exciting than ever before. We 

are here this weekend to promote and 

advance the character and status of 

this Association and, most importantly, 

its members; the Association continues 

to make every effort to ensure that 

happens. We must move forward 

together and with unity, remaining 

confident that, in the fullness of time, 

our efforts will be proved worthwhile.” 

The weekend was packed with new 

and exciting events – both social and 

professional. Friday saw the first 

President’s golf day which was won by 

Paul Houston from See20/20 who 

passed the Frank Clipson Memorial 

Trophy to David Kirk who was a close 

second and the highest scoring 

dispensing optician. 

Julie Heaney 

Another first was on Friday evening - 

darts at the Conference! This was won 

by Steven Golding and Chris 

Bottomley. Then, on Saturday morning, 

ABDO and VAO teams took part in a 

football match with the VAO team 

emerging victorious, 20 - 19. Top scorer 

prize went to Paul Houston from 

See20/20 who was proving to be the 

master of the ball sports. 

A crowded AGM took place on 

Saturday afternoon with a lively 

debate on the possibility of an 

Association name change (see page 

14) and the day wound up with a 

magnificent cocktail party hosted by 

Essilor. 

An ever-popular part of the weekend 

is the CET lecture and seminar 

programme which ran throughout 

Sunday and Monday and this year 

saw the first-ever opening general 

Continued overleaf

The AGM 

On the ABDO College stand: Barry Duncan, Justin Hall and Michelle 

Derbyshire 

Barry and John Baker on the SMC stand 

Photograph by Jeff Smorley 

Steph performs her magic on DO Ann Malcolm at 

the Silhouette Style Clinic 

Richard Harsant 

ABDO Conference and Exhibition 

The Class of ‘69 celebrate 40 years since they attended City College, Bunhill Road, London 

Photograph by Jeff Smorley 

“It’s a great 

opportunity 

for us to relax 

with our 

customers and 

spend a bit of 

quality time 

with them.” 

Richard Crook, 

Stepper 

Tony Garrett and Jennifer Brower at the 

Benevolent Fund AGM 

Barry Duncan and Tara Davis from the 

Membership Services department 

Chief Finance Officer 

T Pavanakumar 

Erin Walsh talks about ‘Rimless asthetics’ at the Silhouette Style Clinic


session. International and UK-based 

speakers included Professor John 

Marshall, Professor Mo Jalie, Peter 

Charlesworth, Stephen Freeman, Dr 

Scott Mackie, Kate McMahon, Jon 

Levett of the GOC, Andy Hepworth, 

Keith Cavaye and Angela McNamee. 

Low Vision workshops were also held 

on the Sunday and the groundbreaking 

Spectech Forum and Optical 

Question time rounded-up a top 

quality educational package that no 

DO can afford to miss. Finally, business 

guru Johnny Apples presented 

delegates with practice marketing 

ideas – without spending money! A 

lecture report will follow in our 

December issue. 

Visitors to the exhibition could also 

benefit from main sponsor Silhouette 

who ran from its exhibition stand an 

impressive series of CET-accredited 

seminars. These included the all- 

important issue of vision performance 

and safety for winter sports, make-up 

demonstrations, and opportunities 

open to both consumers and eyecare 

professionals when dispensing rimless 

eyewear. 

Mutually supportive 

Dispensing opticians enjoy a timehonoured, 

mutually supportive 

partnership with the manufacturing 

industry. 2009 saw a rise of 75 per cent 

over 2008 in exhibitor participation 

with the event expanding to fill five 

interlinked halls spread over two floors. 

Paul Houston, sales and marketing 

director for See20/20 explained how 

he saw taking part as a show of 

support for: “. . . the profession that 

supports us. It’s a flag waving exercise 

that demonstrates we are here for you 

and, when you are ready to talk 

business, here we are. An event such 

‘No’ to name change, but debate goes on 

Despite an impassioned speech during the Association’s AGM in Brighton last 

month, former ABDO president Richard Harsant failed to win the backing of 

members over a change of name for the Association. 

Members voted against the two resolutions, concerning a change of name 

to ‘Association of British Registered Opticians’, with 470 votes against and 274 

for. While almost half of members who voted opposed the name change, 

there was a consensus of opinion that more needed to be done to help the 

profession move forward to achieve its goals and aspirations. 

Speaking prior to the results being announced, Mr Harsant implored 

colleagues to look to the past, present and future and consider those 

elements “whittling away at our functions”. He urged members to defend 

themselves but also to ensure that they acquired more work in different ways, 

such as by carrying out refractions. He said many had misunderstood the 

resolutions; that they were about how other professions viewed the 

Association and members, rather than about how the public perceived 

them. 

Responding to Mr Harsant’s speech, Clive Merchant said he believed the 

profession was probably not ready for a name change, and that the key 

issue was that the public didn’t understand the functions of a dispensing 

optician. He called for a major marketing and PR campaign, and a “proper” 

membership consultation, prior to any future decisions being made. 

The issue of how overseas opticians viewed UK ‘dispensing opticians’ was also 

debated; in an impromptu and well-received speech, Kevin Siew, president 

of the Malaysian Association of Practising Opticians, explained how using the 

affix ‘FBDO’ affected Malaysian members as it implied that they were not 

able to refract. He argued that the term ‘dispensing’ should be replaced in 

order for the profession to grow, preferring the term ‘refracting opticians’. 

Rounding off discussions, ABDO president Barry Duncan promised that the 

Board would continue to engage with members on the issues. 

Report: Nicky Collinson 

as the ABDO Conference is about 

networking, meeting new people, 

making new friendships and 

strengthening old ones, building 

bridges with fellow suppliers and 

making partnerships beneficial to all. I 

achieved this goal this weekend 

(sober and not so sober) and 

thoroughly enjoyed myself doing so!” 

The strikingly innovative look of the 

stands reflected just how far product 

fashion and technology has 

developed. ‘Less is more’ was 

effectively demonstrated on the 

Luxottica stand with perspex pillars 

displaying single, exquisite frames from 

brands such as Tiffany and Chanel 

(the company also sponsored the eyecatching 

Ray-Ban ‘Life’s a beach’ 

zone featuring the latest in sunglass 

designs). 

“We are proud and committed to be 

seen to support such a profession.” 

Luca Conte, Transitions Optical 

Also on the arresting Tom Davies 

‘monochrome’ stand, where 

delegates could find out how the 

brand has taken spectacles into the 

realm of the ‘bespoke’. 

Frame colour has never been more 

luscious and inspiring. Young company 

Fashion Eyewear International, who 

are focusing on the independent 

sector, offered a fine range of 

imaginative and fashionable colours 

with the keenly priced Zuma rimless 

titanium collection. 

Over on the Stepper stand, Richard 

Crook and Peter Reeve explained 

how Stepper’s new rimless collection 

had been very well received by DOs. 

Richard added: “This exhibition offers 

an excellent representation of the 

kinds of frames that DOs most value. 

It’s also a great opportunity for us to 

relax with our customers and spend a 

Continued on page 20

The ABDO College team 

Jeremy Jalie - delighted with winning the ABDO v 

VAO football match 

Vivien Starr from IADO admires Stephen 

Golding’s tie 

Barry and Bernard Maitenaz 

The Essilor Challenge Trophy final 

The winners from City & Islington College with 

Professor Mo Jalie and Bernard Maitenaz 

Meeta Taylor and Paula Lechambre from BBGR 

Cheers! 


Maisie Thompson, Sheila 

Hope’s granddaughter, visits 

the Exhibition 

Bernard Maitenaz and Elaine Grisdale 

Jim Gordon, Elaine and Lee Price 

Vinni Virdee, Luca Conte and Ian Anderson 

Guests enjoying the Welcome Cocktail Party Barbara Doris, Angela McNamee and Jane 

Burnand


Donald Duncan (Barry’s Dad) and Ewan 

McPherson 

Mr Wu, Lorraine and Mark Chandler and Kevin 

Siew 

Linda Lee and Huntly Taylor 

Barry and Lisa Duncan 

Paul O’Hagan and Paul Houston from See 20/20 

with Sinita Sudra 

Pauline Voce and Erin Walsh talking to delegates 

about the style clinic 

Alison Hepworth, Paul Willis and Linda Gemmell 

Margaret and Ian Wolfenden from Scandinavian 

Eyewear 

Tony Garrett, Elaine Grisdale and Marc Tersigni 

MD of Essilor 

Nick Black, Deanne Gray and Michael Potter 

Clare Hayes, Lizzie Bartlam and Gillian Smith 

Gillian Bell and Fiona Andersen 

Elisabeth and John Pugh 

Paul Bitten and Zoe Mount

Optometry Today Bookshop girls 

Mary-Ann Barron and Jenny Wharton 

Huntly Taylor and Sheila Jalie 

(l-r) Brenda Rennie, Lucy Maddox, Anjali Shirke 

and friends watch Bernard Maitenaz cut the cake 

Sheila Hope and Ann Johnson from Dispensing 

Optics 

Irene Parkhurst, Colin Lee and Alan Parkhurst 

Michelle Derbyshire and Nigel Hawks 

Dawn Pugsley and Lawrence Cowley from Tozo 

Andy Hepworth, Marc Tersigni, Bernard Maitenaz 

and Tony Garrett 

Marc Tersigni, the winning Essilor Trophy Challenge 

Team from City and Islington College and Bernard 

Maitenaz 


Alison Hepworth chatting at the Welcome 

Cocktail Party 

The ladies in the photo are: Rehana Riaz, Fay Rice 

and Ann Malcolm 

The winning Essilor Trophy Challenge Team from 

City and Islington College 

The Event Exchange Team: Cass Wagener, Karla 

Swain, James Gould, Chris Smart and Alan Smith 

Continued overleaf


bit of quality time with them. It’s a 

pleasure to support the Association.” 

The show attracted strong 

representation from abroad. 

According to Marchon, an American 

company with offices worldwide and 

a portfolio of top designer brands, 

prescription sunglasses are now an all 

year-round sale. Andy Greene 

explained: “UV damage occurs in 

winter as well as summer and anyone 

who leads an outdoor life should have 

a prescription sunglass. Each time a 

patient gets a frame the opportunity 

of prescription sunglasses should, at 

the very least, be mentioned.” 

schools. We, as product consultants, 

can help them through this.” There will 

be a full exhibition report in the 

December issue of Dispensing Optics. 

Essilor Challenge Trophy 2009 

A highlight of the weekend was made 

even more special by the 

appearance of ‘living legend’ Bernard 

Maitenaz, inventor of the first Varilux 

lens fifty years ago. Quizmaster 

Professor Mo Jalie gave a warm 

and special welcome to M Maitenaz: 

“. . . the designer, developer and 

father of modern, progressive lenses.” 

Now in its second year, this innovative 

“An event such as the ABDO CET weekend is about 

networking, meeting new people, new friendships, building 

bridges with fellow suppliers and making partnerships 

beneficial to all.” Paul Houston See20/20 

Other names from abroad included, 

from France, the family-run Lafont 

brand, where their acetate and metal 

frame collections are exclusively 

designed in the Lafont creation studio, 

and PPG Industries, manufacturer of 

optical materials, coatings and resins. 

From Germany: brillebrille.de, which 

now supplies around 4,500 customers 

in over 40 countries; from Spain - 

Cecop, the optical buying group 

geared towards independents which 

is now expanding in the UK; from 

Denmark: Prodesign offering Danish 

design and lifestyle looks in frames. 

At See20/20, which offered the first UK 

web-based management software 

designed exclusively for practices, 

operations manager Paul O’Hagan 

explained the company’s new direct 

debit payment system to increase the 

average dispensing and also how DOs 

can access the system remotely to 

enable greater flexibility with admin. 

On the Transitions Optical stand, 

product consultant for the North of 

England, Helen Taylor, reported how 

the Eye Know Eye Care initiative had 

proved “A resounding success” 

among DOs. Helen said: “Hundreds 

have signed up. The question they 

most ask is ‘How much time will this 

take?’ and they are not always 

confident about standing up in 

quiz-based event which has 

ingeniously included students into the 

mainstream Conference, is organised 

by Essilor’s professional relations 

manager Andy Hepworth to 

encourage competition between the 

brightest dispensing students from UK 

colleges and universities. This year the 

winning team was from City & Islington 

College: Suzanne Mathew, Ashton 

Galloway and Liz Mobbs. In June 2010 

they will be accompanied on an allexpenses-paid 

trip to America to 

attend the Student Optometry 

Superbowl by fourth team member 

Mark Worthington. 

Runners up were the team from ABDO 

College: Michelle Briggs, Andrew Moss 

and Neil Walker. The other teams were 

from Anglia Ruskin University - Umair 

Naeem, Suraj Tanna and Mannirvair 

Singh, Bradford College - Saleem 

Ballal, Ali Asghar and Emma Haycock 

and Glasgow Caledonian University - 

James Graham, Ross Turner and 

Stephanie Doherty. 

Outstanding achievement 

The Association is famous for its 

memorable dinners and this year’s 

was a truly dynamic affair. Sponsored 

by Transitions Optical, it featured 

entertainer and singer Howard Wing. 

The dinner was followed by 

entertainment courtesy of Hit Squad, a 

casino sponsored by the Event 

Exchange and Vision Aid Overseas 

fund-raising raffle to win a holiday in 

Spain. A special (and necessary) extra 

was the Monday morning ‘Hangover 

Breakfast’, courtesy of See20/20. 

President Barry Duncan thanked 

guests for attending the dinner and 

weekend, particularly during a testing 

time given the turbulent economic 

climate. The President pointed out that 

the weekend marked a significant 

time for ABDO, “Many within optics will 

now realise we are very serious 

players”, he said. “We have over 5,000 

highly skilled professionals in the UK 

and around the world and staff of the 

highest quality who can take us 

forward. We fully believe that we 

should have appropriate recognition 

from Government and we will 

continue to lobby for those rights. 

Individually, each and every member 

of this Association has a key role to 

play in raising the profile of dispensing 

opticians. Public awareness is what 

many of our members want - and 

rightly so - but everyone must believe 

in their own ability, promoting their skills 

and attributes if our work is to be 

recognised.” 

Barry then introduced Luca Conte, 

business manager UK and Ireland of 

Transitions Optical who addressed the 

gathering saying: “We are proud and 

committed to be seen to support such 

a profession. Next year we shall all be 

stronger and invigorated.” 

Head of Professional Relations, Elaine 

Grisdale gave thanks to all who had 

made the event a success, and made 

a special mention of appreciation to 

Transitions Optical for initiating the Eye 

Know Eye Care schools programme. 

This timely campaign has proved 

hugely appropriate and successful for 

the profession, helping raise the profile 

of dispensing opticians and spreading 

Continued overleaf

Our sponsors 

The Association would like to 

thank the following companies 

for their generous support and 

sponsorship of the ABDO 

Conference and Exhibition: 

Essilor, Luxottica, See20/20, 

Silhouette, Transitions Optical, 

BBGR, Carl Zeiss Vision, Hoya, 

Johnson & Johnson Vision Care 

Barry Duncan 

Paul Houston, Jim Gordon and Barry Duncan 

The President’s Golf Tournament at The Hill Barn 

Golf Club near Worthing 

Caption 

Caption 

Luxottica girls looking gorgeous on the sweeping 

staircase 

Caption 

The BBGR Team enjoy the drinks reception at the Ray-Ban ‘Life’s a beach’ zone 

Caption 


The Gala Dinner and Party sponsored by 

Transitions Optical 

Rehana Riaz, Howard Wing and Ann Malcolm Howard Wing serenades at the drinks reception 

before the Gala Dinner


the word of eyecare to the schools 

generation. Elaine said: “Our members 

have embraced this campaign. It is 

great we are all signing up for it.” 

It has been a year of achievements for 

the Association and landmarks were 

documented through a big-screen 

presentation. Achievements were also 

marked with the annual awards as 

follows: 

Honorary Fellowship - Sheila Hope, 

production editor Dispensing Optics 

and member of the CET committee, 

and for her contribution to the 

organisation of the CET Weekend and 

the ABDO College graduation. 

Lifetime Membership – Ros Kirk, past 

President, trustee of the ABDO 

Benevolent committee, member of 

the Journal Advisory Committee. 

Lifetime Membership – John Fried in 

appreciation of his contribution over 

many years in roles including ABDO 

Council member, representing optics 

on the GOC and Joint Optical 

Committee European Union. 

New award: Special Silver Salver - 

John Baker for his long and 

distinguished career including former 

President ADO, longest serving 

Association member on the GOC, and 

until recently on the Advice and 

Guidance working group. 

Honorary Fellowship - Bernard 

Maitenaz inventor of Varilux. This was a 

special award in the year of Varilux’s 

50th anniversary to “the man who 

revolutionised the world of optics”. M 

Maitenaz paid homage to “…the 

contribution of professionals like 

yourselves. Without your support the 

Varilux adventure would not have 

been the success it is today.” 

Journal prize - Kathyrn Routledge for 

her article ‘Hospital dispensing 

optician’ describing her work at 

Plymouth Royal Eye Infirmary. 

Area Prize - Sheila Beehoo, Treasurer of 

Area 4. 

Dispensing Optics Readership Prize - 

Duncan Counter for his CET article ‘ A 

measured approach’ 

Hamblin Memorial Prize: Huntly Taylor, 

for his contribution to the profession 

over a long period of years, including 

his role on ABDO Council, as chairman 

of Area 9 for 22 years, and recent 

appointment as Trustee to ABDO 

College. Accepting his award Huntly 

said simply: “Thank you ABDO for 

being part of my life for 42 years.” ■ 

Lively debates at Optical 

Question Time 

“Isn’t it time to reconsider our scope of practise?” and “Should the 

dispensing function be re-regulated?” were just two of the questions 

put to a panel of experts during a lively Optical Question Time session 

at the Association’s annual conference in Brighton last month 

Chaired by Glenn Tomison, the 

panellists were: ABDO president, Barry 

Duncan; John Fried, master of the 

Worshipful Company of Spectacle 

Makers; Jon Levitt, deputy registrar of 

the GOC; Geoff Roberson, AOP 

professional advisor; and Alan Tinger, 

chairman of the Local Optical 

Committee Support Unit. 

Threats or opportunities? 

On the question of re-regulation, John 

Fried acknowledged that the 

profession had been fighting for reregulation 

for the past 20 years, but 

that “properly qualified” DOs had 

nothing to fear. However, Barry 

Duncan added that many members 

did feel threatened by unregulated 

supply and that there was a case for 

taking up this issue. He said that 

standards among dispensing opticians 

were getting better as they became 

more skilled, reflecting the new core 

competencies. However, more 

unqualified staff entering the 

workplace made improving standards 

in general a real challenge. Geoff 

Roberson agreed that regulation was 

the only way to ensure a professional 

standard. 

However, Alan Tinger argued that if 

DOs had confidence then there was 

nothing to worry about; there weren’t 

really such things as “bucket shops” 

and the Internet wasn’t a genuine 

threat. Speaking on behalf of the 

GOC, Jon Levitt said that if the 

Council approached the Department 

of Health on this issue it would not 

consider it unless there was clear 

evidence that the public were at risk. 

There was also the risk that if the 

process was started, it could actually 

lead to further deregulation. 

Responding to Mr Tinger’s comment 

about there being no threat, Barry 

Duncan said that there was evidence 

that many people were now buying 

off the Internet rather than through 

practices. Mr Tinger conceded on this 

point, but argued that the profession 

should be investing in offering a better 

service to patients. “Don’t focus on 

destroying the threat but focus on 

improving or becoming part of it,” he 

said. 

Concluding the debate, Mr Fried 

warned that the problem of regulating 

the profession was that it protected 

“the mediocre”. “Re-regulation is not 

the answer,” he declared. “Aspire to 

practising at the highest level instead.” 

A question of apathy? 

The second question posed during the 

session asked what could be done to 

reach those members “who hadn’t 

bothered to vote” on the change to 

the Association’s name. Geoff 

Roberson pointed out that, actually, 

the fact that 750 members out of 

around 5,000 had voted was quite a 

good result. “In my experience, unless 

there is a threat to actual livelihood 

then apathy wins the day,” he said, 

adding that making use of Area 

representatives and communicating 

well could help, along with a regular 

meetings structure. 

Continued on page 26

Sarah Bradley and her granddaughter Ainslie find out where 

they are sitting 

Luca Conte from Transitions addresses the 

gathering 

Sam McDermid and Victoria Ross 

Mr Wu and Kevin Siew from MAPO with Paul 

Hersee from IADO 

Bernard Maitenaz inventor of Varilux receives his 

Honorary Fellowship from Barry 

Kevin Gutsell and the Nikon team 

Sheila Hope production editor of Dispensing 

Optics receives her Honorary Fellowship from 

Barry 

Kristin Manor and Luca Conte from Transitions 


Ros Kirk receives her Lifetime Membership from 

Barry 

Brian Thomas from Essilor chatting at the dinner 

John Fried is awarded with Life Membership A new award is awarded to John Baker of a 

Special Silver Salver from Barry


Elaine presents Ted Moffat with Duncan Counter’s 

certificate for the Best CET Article in Dispensing 

Optics 2008 

Rob Hogan presents Huntly Taylor with the 

Hamblin Memorial Prize 

Lesley Murray and Martin Burroughs 

Paula Regan and Peter Charlesworth 

Rob Hogan, Lisa and Barry Duncan 

Stewart Lewis from ProDesign Brenda Saunders 

from Eyes magazine 

Enjoying the Gala Dinner 

Sarah Cook and James Parry 

Joachim Neubauer and Martina Martin 

from brillebrille 

Angela McNamee and Keith 

Cavaye 

Les Tidy from Shamir and Robina Moss from 

Optometry Today 

Delegates dancing the night away 

Geri Dynan and Mark Humphrey-Ali

Vinni Virdee, Helen Taylor, Randeep Gill and 

Harminder Matharu from Transitions 

Ewan McPherson and Paul Houston in their 

Laurent Blanc and Fabien Barthez 1998 World 

Cup enactment 

Katie Docker spins the wheel with Alison Potter 

and Deanne Gray 

Dancing on the chairs to That’s Amore 

Howard Wing with ‘Baz’ Barot discovering his 

X Factor 

Chris Smart, Elaine Grisdale and Alan Smith 


The Tree of Life for Vision Aid Overseas 

Kate Clarke presents Sheila Purser with Sheila 

Beehoo’s Area Prize for her work as treasurer of 

Area 4 

Sinita Sudra boogies on down 

Dawn Pugsley from Tozo and Andrew Actman Delegates enjoying Black Jack 

Continued overleaf


Mr Fried took the view that the debate 

was more an emotive issue rather than 

one of semantics and that if members 

weren’t engaged, then it was 

because they didn’t feel directly 

involved. Mr Levitt admitted that when 

the GOC held its elections, only 10 per 

cent had voted – so this lack of 

engagement probably wasn’t 

peculiar to dispensing optics or even 

optics. 

Mr Duncan admitted that it was quite 

difficult to motivate members. “We 

have been trying to improve our 

corporate identity and we will 

continue to engage with members. 

The results of the debate yesterday [at 

the AGM] depend on how you 

interpret them. We need to be clear 

about what is in members’ minds and 

we will come up with new strategies to 

move forward constructively.” 

To refract, or not 

to refract? 

Responding to a question about it 

being time to reconsider DOs’ scope 

of practise, ie in the realm of 

refraction, Alan Tinger repeated his 

warning that this could lead to further 

deregulation with even more people 

being able to offer such procedures. 

Geoff Roberson considered the 

impact this could have on the 

optometric profession, as while many 

OOs were moving into specialist roles, 

such as by becoming prescribing 

optometrists, the majority could be 

threatened if refraction was opened 

up to the wider professions. 

From the GOC’s point of view, Mr 

Levitt said the issue of DOs refracting 

was being looked at as part of the 

Council’s strategic vision for the future. 

“The fact is that this would require 

legislative changes which can be 

very slow; the GOC would not embark 

on this lightly. We would need to look 

at the regulatory framework to 

mitigate any potential risks. If the 

argument for it is there, then the GOC 

will consider it.” 

Barry Duncan added to this: “It is clear 

that whilst we are happy with our 

current qualifications we do need to 

move forward. We already offer 

refraction training, we just can’t 

prescribe. However, as optometrists 

move into secondary care then it is 

reasonable to consider that dispensing 

opticians being able to refract is on 

the cards. I don’t believe there would 

be a mass uptake by members so 

there would be plenty of work for both 

professions working closely together in 

the practice.” 

Closing this particular debate, John 

Fried commented that this 

conversation could not have 

happened 10 or 15 years ago. He said: 

“We are working together more 

openly in a more friendly and 

transparent way. We need to open 

the debate about refraction to the 

ABDO v Vision Aid Overseas football match 

The Saturday of ABDO’s Conference weekend got off to an energetic start 

with a football match between ABDO and Vision Aid Overseas. After less than 

a minute VAO took the lead following a cracking strike from Tom Warburton. 

ABDO suffered a major blow when key player Paul O’Hagan sprained his 

ankle and ABDO were left with only six players. 

In the second half, Vision Aid Overseas strengthened their resolve and made 

the most of their manpower advantage. Both goalkeepers, Randeep Gill and 

Stephen Golding, were kept very busy. As the beginning of the end closed in, 

Vision Aid Overseas went on a scoring rampage and at one point led by five 

goals. President Duncan rallied his troops and almost managed to level the 

affair by the end of the game. The game ended 21-20 to Vision Aid Overseas. 

Praise must go to ABDO Captain (and President!) Barry Duncan and his 

opposite number Simon Jalie who led their teams from the front with flair, 

commitment and energy. They share the ‘Men of the Match’ title. The game 

raised £290 for Vision Aid Overseas to add to the tremendous fundraising 

effort at the Gala Dinner. Congratulations to all involved! 

whole profession and we are doing so. 

Extending one’s scope of practise is 

what every professional wants, so long 

as there is no risk to the public or fellow 

professionals.” 

CET burden or par for the course? 

The final question of the session was 

this: “What justification is there for 

contact lens members having to 

obtain more CET points – and why not 

in other professions?” In response, Barry 

Duncan explained that contact lens 

members were specialists and so 

required more points – also it 

recognised that the Association’s 

contact lens course was “more 

advanced” than the course for newly 

qualified optometrists. “We should be 

proud that we have such expertise 

among members,” he said. 

Geoff Roberson added that anyone 

who was on a specialist register should 

be required to carry out additional 

CET beyond the basics – in the way 

that supplementary prescribing 

optometrists needed additional CET. 

“We don’t have a problem with the 

additional CET burden,” declared Mr 

Roberson, “and practitioners should 

be required to do CET regardless of 

any specialist qualifications.” Agreeing 

with Mr Roberson, John Fried said the 

present system allowed practitioners to 

carry out CET easily in a narrow field. 

Revalidation in the future would ensure 

this process was more thorough. 

Concluding the debate, Jon Levitt 

explained that generally with specialist 

qualifications the risks were higher so 

the justification for additional CET was 

there. He said that in the future, the 

professions must look at the link 

between CET and evidence for 

revalidation. “We must address the 

anomalies in the system,” said Mr 

Levitt. “We will look at the whole CET 

process and how individual CET 

requirements relate to everyday 

practice. We will be reviewing the 

entire framework.” 

Report: Nicky Collinson ■

The ABDO Team standing l-r: Stephen Golding, Barry Duncan (c), Paul 

Houston, Michael Carr, kneeling: Paul O’Hagan, Richard Day and Ewan 

McPherson 

Simon Jalie fresh from Barcelona tries to give 

Richard the runaround 

“Without your support the Varilux 

adventure would not have been the 

success it is today.” Bernard 

Maitenaz, inventor of Varilux 

Caption 

Caption 

Jeremy Jalie and Barry Duncan 

Caption 

Phil Bareham from Shamir presents Irene and Alan 

Parkhurst with a Wii Fit 

Johnny Apples teaching people why people should come up to talk to you instead of you talking to 

them 


The VAO Team standing l-r: Shinde Gunputh, Marco Wren, Simon Jalie (c), 

Tom Warburton, Jeremy Jalie, kneeling l-r: Mike Riley, Suraj Tanna, Morgan 

Robinson, Randeep Gill 

The Hangover Breakfast sponsored by See20/20 - 

the BBGR girls know how to party 

John Fried refinds his youth thanks to Luxottica 

after winning the Fender Stratocaster 

Johnny Apples never seen without his props


Even if we choose not to specialise in the field of low vision, 

we can all be low vision aware, writes Sarah Routly 

FBDO(Hons)LVA. It is very much part of our role, whether we 

are dispensing opticians or contact lens opticians, and it will 

become a larger part as our population ages at the 

astronomical rate which is forecast 

Be low vision aware in 

everyday dispensing 

You are likely to be dispensing visually 

impaired people on a regular basis. 

There will be many different 

understandings of ‘visually impaired’. I 

would describe the visually impaired 

as people who have significantly 

reduced visual acuity or fields. This 

could be a variable amount of vision 

loss for individual people. They may 

not have low visual acuities 

necessarily, but may have, for 

example, a substantial scotoma or 

increased light sensitivity. Somebody 

with retinitis pigmentosa could have 

visual acuities of 6/6 but still be 

registered as partially sighted/sight 

impaired. Equally, glaucoma can lead 

to tunnel vision with good visual 

acuities Also, needing special thought 

as to methods of dispensing are those 

with nystagmus, lowered contrast 

sensitivity or colour vision. This list is by 

no means exhaustive but low vision 

work starts here, in the general 

spectacle dispensing process. These 

are people you see every day. I may 

be teaching my granny to suck eggs 

here! Hopefully we all do these things 

already but if one person receives a 

better service because of this then it 

was worth it. 

You may not be involved in low vision 

assessments yet but, as a registered 

dispensing optician, you have the 

knowledge and responsibility to these 

people to give them a tailored 

service. A large chunk of your client 

base will be visually impaired for one 

reason or another. 

Nystagmus 

Most nystagmus sufferers have a null 

point of gaze. The null point is simply a 

direction of gaze where the oscillation 

of the eyes is reduced, enabling the 

patient to achieve a slightly better 

standard of vision. Be especially aware 

of this with children, who will not think 

to tell you where the null point is. They 

may not have found this point yet but 

when you ask the parents they will 

very often have noticed a 

subconscious tilt or turn of the head in 

the child, or a casting of the eyes one 

particular way which they very often 

don’t associate with the nystagmus. A 

child with a superior null point for 

example, will be dipping their chin 

and gazing up from under their fringe, 

therefore the trend for tiny rectangular 

frames is simply not going to work, so 

thank goodness for Harry Potter! 

Perfect. 

In addition, some adult nystagmus 

sufferers will not have, or will not have 

discovered, a null point of gaze. Many 

patients are surprised when I ask them 

where their null point is during the 

dispensing process, and are impressed 

that this is something we think about in 

giving them specs which will actually 

work for them. A patient with 

nystagmus may well have been living 

with the condition for many years. 

Some nystagmus sufferers may have 

acquired the complaint later on and 

may not be aware of the potential 

existence of the null point, but do 

watch for head and eye position. Also, 

bear in mind that a null point of gaze 

may throw a presbyope completely 

off target for bifocal and progressive 

lenses, and single vision spectacles will 

be a better solution. I would personally 

rule out progressives but, by using an 

executive bifocal or an imaginatively 

placed (large) round segment, 

bifocals are workable depending on 

the position of gaze and the level of 

astigmatism. Nobody said the 

segment had to be at the bottom of 

the frame. Never forget the existence 

of the double-D segment. Due to 

constant movement of the eyes, a 

bigger segment giving a bigger target 

will be most successful. Patients are so 

glad to be receiving your best efforts 

that they are happy to experiment 

with unusual ideas – for example, 

where their working environment 

could be made more accessible. 

Loss of peripheral visual field 

Looking at the fields results, in my 

opinion, should be part of the 

dispensing process. A loss of peripheral 

field will cause navigational problems, 

especially in the lower field. Chairs, 

waiting area coffee tables, even small

Figure 1: normal view 

children, will be potential tripping 

hazards for a person with a lower field 

defect. People with a lower field 

defect may already be using a cane; 

however, many people find that there 

is a stigma attached to this and will try 

to retrain by use of excessive head 

and eye movements. Peripheral field 

loss could be due commonly to 

glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy or 

to the donut-shaped scotoma often 

found with retinitis pigmentosa 

(Figure 2). These are people who often 

enjoy good visual acuity and do not 

appear to be visually impaired. They 

may move slowly and steadily and it is 

best to watch and mirror the speed at 

which they travel. Someone who has 

had a stroke or trauma to the head 

may be suffering from hemianopia 

(lateral vision loss on either left or right 

side in one eye) or homonymous 

hemianopia (vision loss on the same 

side in each eye) (Figure 3). 

As you will all be aware, 

communication is a major part of the 

dispensing process. Something as 

simple as standing to the correct side 

of the patient will make a huge 

difference, so that they can see you, 

and the frames that you point to or 

pick up while you are giving them 

advice. Be aware that frame stands or 

partitions/screens may be completely 

out of the sight of these people for a 

chunk of the time, so a tactful running 

commentary as you navigate the 

practice together will be appreciated. 

Physically guiding the patient may be 

required with recent onset of the field 

loss, but visually impaired people with 

some experience of their situation may 

be very independent. Good 

communication at all times will 

Figure 2: view with extreme loss of peripheral 

vision in retinitis pigemntosa 

provide a good rapport where help 

can be offered and rejected if 

necessary. 

Reduced central vision 

Navigation for these patients will be 

easier but detail and faces will be 

more difficult. Looking at the frame 

displays may be tricky and help and 

advice will be needed. The most 

common cause of central scotoma in 

day-to-day practice will probably be 

age related macular degeneration 

(Figure 4). These people will be 

viewing eccentrically and, as with 

nystagmus, will need a larger eye size 

to enable full use of the corrected 

peripheral field. This flies in the face of 

dispensing rules when it comes to lens 

thickness and weight, but there is no 

point in having a beautiful pair of 

+5.00, which I proudly dispensed using 

a 50mm blank, when the patient 

never looks through the lens, and 

when they do, they have no useful 

vision anyway. However, just because 

the vision is failing in these potentially 

elderly people, we must not assume 

that the ARMD patient does not want 

to look every bit as glamorous/smart 

as she/he always has! High index and 

aspheric lenses should be considered 

in view of the larger frame sizes and 

the frame should be fitting snugly with 

the smallest BVD possible to give the 

most peripheral vision. The elderly 

ARMD patient may also have loss of 

mobility/hearing so again, 

communication at eye level will be 

most successful, and use of open 

question techniques. 

It is useful to think about the 

practicalities of the colour of the specs 

as far as contrast goes, as many of 

Figure 3: loss of visual field in homonymous 

hemianopia 

Low vision 

these patients will be experiencing 

reduced contrast sensitivity, resulting in 

difficulty distinguishing their specs from 

the background (Figure 5). Rimless 

and minimalistic specs are going to be 

hardest to identify, whereas a more 

solid frame with some ‘feel features’ 

will be easier to find, and to 

differentiate from another pair of 

specs which may have a different 

function. Small jewels, shaping or 

ridges on the frame should be pointed 

out to the wearer. These features can 

be used by the spectacle wearer to 

identify the frame later at home 

(Figure 6). 

Increased light sensitivity 

Many eye diseases result in increased 

light sensitivity (Figure 7). Commonly, 

cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and 

ARMD. Diabetic retinopathy patients 

who have undergone laser surgery will 

be troubled by scattering of light, as 

will those with developing cataract. 

Figure 4: view with advanced macular 

degeneration 

Continued overleaf


Figure 5: Example of how the black dog appears 

against a navy blue background to someone 

with lower contrast sensitivity than the norm 

While the cataract may be a 

temporary nuisance it is worth 

considering anything you can do to 

help in the interim, which may run into 

years until treatment is received. You 

will come across the occasional 

person with albinism, aniridia or 

coloboma and these are often easy 

to spot, however retinitis pigmentosa 

sufferers have no outward signs, but 

will generally tell you about their 

condition as they will often have 

known about it from a relatively early 

age. RP sufferers will need multiple 

spectacles ideally to cater for differing 

light conditions. Photochromic lenses 

will serve the needs of some sufferer 

quite well, but a pair of dark amber 

lenses which block out the blue light 

will be needed to prevent the ‘white 

out’ commonly experienced in bright 

light. A lighter amber tint is good for 

indoors and TV viewing for example, to 

reduce glare but enhance contrast. 

These tints are available from several 

different sources now including BPI, 

Corning and Norville. When there is a 

low light supply a completely clear 

pair of spectacles will be essential to 

maximise all naturally available light. 

We need to be aware that someone 

with cataract, ARMD, RP and diabetic 

retinopathy, along with many others, 

may be unaware of the colour of 

frames which they are choosing. It’s 

easy to drop the colour of a frame 

into the conversation during 

dispensing. Blacks, blues and browns 

are often indistinguishable for these 

people although sometimes they are 

not aware of this. 

Contact lenses 

Where extreme head and eye 

Figure 6: view with cataract 

positions are being used, a contact 

lens may be a much more useful 

method of correction. Where 

eccentric viewing or null points of 

gaze are being utilised a contact lens 

will certainly give the most available 

peripheral vision. Contact lenses have 

also been known to reduce the 

effects of nystagmus and are 

available in cosmetically tinted 

versions to reduce the pale iris 

appearance where the nystagmus is 

associated with albinism. 

Try not to assume that a patient is too 

old or visually impaired to trial contact 

lenses. Plan ahead - someone who is 

in the early stages of a visual 

impairment which you know will affect 

the visual fields in the future, can start 

to wear contact lenses immediately. 

By the time the fields are affected, the 

insertion of the lenses will have 

become second nature. 

We can all be low vision aware, even 

if we choose not to specialise in this 

field. It is part of our role, be that 

dispensing optician or contact lens 

optician and will become a larger part 

as our population continues to age at 

the astronomical rate which is 

forecast. By 2033, 23 per cent* of the 

population will be over 65 years of 

age; so we ignore this branch of our 

profession at our peril. We tend to 

tailor our dispensing to suit prescription, 

hobbies and lifestyle but maybe not so 

obviously to visual acuities and 

pathology. Elderly and infirm patients 

are often very aware of how much 

they depend on help from other 

people. They often feel some guilt 

about this and see themselves as 

becoming a nuisance. 

Figure 7: view with glaucoma 

We need to be aware ourselves that 

someone who feels this way will not 

ask for our help. We need to expect to 

give an adapted and excellent 

service to everyone without being 

asked, otherwise we let our most 

needy clients down. Someone who 

says they will just have the same as last 

time, may be trying to avoid causing 

you any inconvenience when you are 

bringing a selection of frames over to 

the customer who is remaining seated 

rather than browsing frames with you. 

They may, of course, really want the 

same as last time! Try to include a 

‘wildcard’ frame when you are 

selecting on the patient’s behalf, this 

will start a conversation about what 

sort of new styles are available, and 

the patient will be more receptive and 

relaxed because you started the 

process rather than them asking for 

your help. If they really do want the 

same style as before this also gives 

them the perfect opportunity to 

choose that same style again. 

Visually impaired people really 

appreciate that you tailor your 

dispensing process to suit their 

individual needs and will become 

loyal patrons of your services, along 

with their friends and family. 

*National statistics online 

Sarah Routly FBDO(Hons)LVA is a 

Dispensing Optician Director of 

Specsavers in Tavistock, Devon and 

would like to thank her sons Jack 

(nearly 14) for his ICT skills, and Joe 

(happy to be 10) for his modelling and 

dog handling skills ■


Last month, Mike Hall described how to create a standard 

of compliance under H&S law, developing management 

techniques involved through risk assessment. Part nine 

indicates ‘how to comply’ with the various requirements of 

the law set out in previous articles, and provides examples 

of the penalties for non-compliance 

Mrs Bendix creates her 

risk assessment 

The two scenarios offered earlier are 

used here as vehicles to create 

interest and explain the sequence of 

RA, whatever the size of the business. 

Starting with Scenario 2 - at 

Specorama, the ‘fewer than five 

employees’ caveat applies, the only 

record of RA being stored on the 

practice computer, therefore no overt 

written records were maintained. They 

have however, been conducted by 

Mrs Bendix and the results 

disseminated orally to all members of 

staff; all in the practice can view the 

RA electronically. 

The Bendix RA procedures: (NB there 

will be additional hazards in the 

practice but for this exercise the stairs 

will be the focal point). 

Step one Mrs Bendix identifies the 

hazards: 

The stairs in the practice are quickly 

identified as a trip and/or fall hazard. 

To her certain knowledge, there have 

been minor stumbles on the staircase 

in the past but only on the last stair or 

two. There is clearly a hazard 

presented by the stairs with the 

‘potential’ to cause harm. 

Step two Mrs Bendix identifies from 

memory and experience who might 

be harmed and in what 

circumstances: Any of the three staff 

whilst ascending or descending the 

stairs are liable to suffer harm, 

especially if carrying something like 

reams of paper, office supplies and or 

any item that requires manual 

handling using one or both hands. The 

visiting optometrist, patients, trades 

persons, eg, electrician, clinical 

engineer or delivery men who might 

have to negotiate the stairs as part of 

their business or work activity are all 

considered likely. 

Step three Mrs Bendix evaluates the 

risks presented by the hazard: 

The risks posed by the hazard of the 

stairs run the entire gamut from bruises, 

abrasions, sprains and strains, limb 

fractures, joint dislocations right 

through to serious injury or even 

fatality. The ‘potential’ harm 

presented by the hazard is now 

afforded ‘major risk’ status since the 

potential harm inherent in the hazard 

has a very strong risk of being realised. 

Step four Mrs Bendix records significant 

findings on the practice computer: 

(these are as previously outlined – 

some are listed here by way of an 

example). The controls currently in 

place are: 

• Staff awareness of the slip/trip/fall 

hazard passed on by verbal means, 

relying upon training, information and 

common sense 

• Hand rail provided (NB if stairway is 

wide enough for two persons to pass 

one another in opposite directions 

then handrails must be provided on 

both sides) 

• There is no natural light - stairwell lit 

by two domestic style pendant lights 

with 60w bulbs. On/Off switches are 

situated top and bottom 

Future controls required might 

embrace: 

• Consider possibility of downstairs 

toilet, especially in the case of 

pregnant or new mother employees. If 

not possible, operate a chaperon 

system 

• Substitute normal commercial nonslip 

floor covering instead of carpet on 

the stairs 

• Fit neon strip lamps for improved 

lighting 

• Mark stair edges (nosings) using 

luminous non-slip hazard strips 

• Install emergency lighting in case of 

power failure or fire 

• Re-locate tea/coffee making facility 

to ground floor 

• Institute the discipline of one hand 

on hand rail when 

ascending/descending stairs 

especially if carrying office supplies 

and/or stock items 

• Position luminous warning signage 

at top and bottom for ‘Caution! Steep 

Stairs – Use Hand Rail’ and fire escape

oute signage (pictogram) if 

appropriate, and so on 

Step Five Mrs Bendix creates and 

institutes a monitoring and review 

strategy: 

This would include: 

• Standard review dates (three 

monthly, six monthly or annual, 

depending upon the nature and 

severity of the risks involved) 

• Review if there are any changes 

which affect the existing system* 

• Re-assess if no longer valid 

• Carry out spot checks 

• Maintain staff awareness 

• Ensure controls in place are being 

correctly engaged? 

The Bendix RA has been completed 

and the findings were passed on to 

staff by gathering them at the stairwell 

for a verbal briefing indicating 

improved controls envisaged and 

demonstration of how to use the stairs 

safely. All of these control measures 

might be seen as being in the SFAIRP 

category. 

*Subsequent to the Bendix RA, a new 

increased hazard of a loose carpet 

edge has presented itself. This should 

have been spotted and a warning 

given to all staff by Mrs Bendix as a 

part of her monitoring and review 

strategy which would also have 

required the taking of some suitable 

and sufficient action to eliminate or 

control the new risk. As a temporary 

measure, taping the loose edge 

down, highlighting its presence by 

temporary signs top and bottom and 

issuing a warning to all staff would 

have been acceptable until the 

hazard and subsequent risk could be 

formally rectified. No such actions 

were taken and as a result the 

accident occurred. 

The Specorama RA was fairly straight 

forward; Lenstastic’s RA is rather more 

complex but the same Five Steps to 

RA apply. However, before heading 

for the workplace clip board in hand, 

the appointed assessor should carry 

out a short session of preparation and 

research. This research might usefully 

encompass any accident statistics to 

act as a pointer to possible problem 

areas or operations. Be aware that the 

absence of any accident statistics in 

any workstation or work system does 

not imply the existence of no hazards, 

it may be indicative of a lax reporting 

procedure. 

Reference to H&S Guidance Notes 

issued by the HSE, GOC or ABDO, the 

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) 

accompanying deliveries of chemical 

substances, may all be relevant. 

A list of the hazards one might 

‘expect’ to find should be compiled, 

from memory or experience of the 

workplace. This provisional list should 

be used during the conduct of an 

initial workplace tour, giving the 

assessor the opportunity to: 

• Confirm or amend the list 

• To prioritise the RA schedule. 

There are several techniques which 

may be employed in RA and Risk 

Management (RM), ranging from a 

simple Visual Safety Inspection (VSI), 

up to a full Safety Audit. Much will 

depend upon the size and nature of 

the undertaking and the complexity of 

process, hazards and risks involved. 

For the sake of curiosity, a brief look at 

a selection of the more common 

techniques might be useful, along with 

their pros and cons: 

• Visual safety inspections 

• Hazard books 

• Contact schemes/toolbox talks 

• Safety tours 

• Safety sampling 

• HAZOP 

• Job safety analysis (shadowing) 

• Safety audit 

The VSI: Whilst this kind of inspection is 

the simplest to adopt, it has limitations 

regarding its effectiveness. It is less 

effective at spotting hazards, in 

particular those hazards which appear 

to be controlled might easily be 

ignored rather than re-assessed. 

Psychological and biological hazards 

are not easily spotted during VSI, the 

process lacks detail therefore this type 

of inspection should be considered 

more as a low level monitoring 

exercise. Probably more useful to 

Specorama style undertakings. 

Hazard book: Encourages employees 

to report machine faults or new 

hazards, therefore creating a positive 

action which promotes the creation of 

the ‘safety culture’. It also provides an 

historical record, can be viewed by all, 

is a useful line management tool for 

shift changeover etc and is cost 

effective. (Mainly for Lenstastic). 

Contact schemes/tool box talks: 

Informal ad hoc visits to the workplace 

by senior management to promote 

and support the H&S message – 

management is seen to care about 

Health and safety part nine 

the workforce and it is valuable for 

managers to get first hand feedback 

on H&S issues (or other problems) 

without them being diluted or 

screened by junior 

managers/supervisors. In the case of 

Specorama this can be done 

essentially on a daily basis; Lenstastic 

on fairly frequent occasions every 

couple of months or so. 

The safety tour: This is a deliberate, 

planned management activity 

whereby the workplace is visited by a 

senior member of management 

accompanied by the H&S officer who 

will have arranged, in advance, to 

meet with the work station supervisor. 

The tour will be conducted by 

discussion with the work force in 

question and answer fashion, and 

might even call for the operator to 

demonstrate their system of working 

along with a description of known 

hazards inherent. Leans more towards 

Lenstastic. 

Safety sampling: This, again, is a 

planned inspection, usually designed 

to target specific areas or functions to 

ascertain the effective compliance of 

the firm’s H&S policy and controls by 

the workers: conducted by a senior 

manager accompanied by the H&S 

representative, the inspecting team 

will award points for each process in 

the chosen workstation which can be 

published in the works newsletter, or on 

public notice boards around the 

workplace. This serves to engender an 

element of competition between 

colleagues thus making H&S a topical 

subject. This type of inspection could, if 

linked to a departmental bonus 

system, prove very useful in promoting 

the H&S culture of the business. Could 

apply equally to Lenstastic and 

Specorama but moderated in reality 

to suit. 

HAZOP: The chemical industry uses a 

technique known as the Hazardous 

Operations Study, (HazOp) - Based on 

‘systematic free-thinking’ often at the 

design stage, it is a pre-emptive 

technique which: 

� Establishes the ‘what if’ line of 

investigation and implementation 

� Is very thorough 

� Identifies hazards and resultant risks 

which might be eradicated at the 

design stage 

� Ideal for new processes or new 

machinery 

� Assists in developing a safe system 

of work 

Continued overleaf


� Time and costs though, are usually 

high. 

Mainly leans towards Lenstastic. 

The job safety analysis: 

(Shadowing/work study technique) is a 

very focussed and intensive operation 

which works as follows: 

� Choose the operation to be studied 

– For Specorama, say, clinical 

preparation for a trial fitting of contact 

lenses for a first time patient. For 

Lenstastic, to identify the hazards, risks 

and control measures necessary for a 

new manufacturing process and 

machine. 

� Record in detail how the job is done 

– especially the reassurance factor for 

Specorama’s patient or Lenstastic’s 

operator 

� Evaluate the risks involved in the 

activity – cross contamination/possible 

finger traps et al 

� Develop a safe system for the 

process – clinical awareness and 

decontamination regimes/interlocking 

switches on access panels or light 

curtains for machine immobilisation 

� Implement the safe system 

� Target the system for monitoring, 

control and review 

Lenstastic mainly but Specorama style 

undertakings could employ this 

method of monitoring in routine RA 

reviews or even, slightly modified, as 

an in house training vehicle for staff in 

clinically based matters if appropriate. 

(Note the mnemonic for CREDIT as an 

aide memoire) 

The safety audit: Is a full, detailed and 

formal inspection of the entire 

workplace and workforce. It leaves no 

stone unturned in its coverage and 

management receives a full and 

detailed formal management report. 

Audits are normally conducted by an 

outside body on request from 

management in order to establish and 

record their excellence in H&S (eg as 

part of OHSAS 18001 or ISO 14001) 

Mainly applicable to Lenstastic. 

Employers, such as Lenstastic, who 

control a number of similar workplaces 

conducting similar activities, may 

produce a basic generic risk 

assessment reflecting the core hazards 

and risks associated with these 

activities. Trade associations, 

employers’ bodies or other 

organisations concerned may also 

develop generic assessments for a 

range of similar or identical activities. 

Such model assessments may be 

applied by employers or managers at 

each workplace, but only if the model 

assessment is broadly appropriate to 

their type of work and that they can 

adapt the model to the detail of their 

own actual work situations, including 

any extension necessary to cover 

hazards and risks not referred to in the 

model. 

Once a RA has been completed, the 

assessor will probably be left with one 

of three possible outcomes: 

1. Unable to decide because either 

more information or more expertise is 

needed. This raises the immediate 

question of whether the work should 

be stopped until a decision can be 

made. 

2. The risks are adequately controlled 

in all foreseeable situations, legal 

requirements are being complied with 

and the hazards are controlled to the 

lowest level that is reasonably 

practicable in the circumstances. If 

this is the case all that is needed is to 

record the findings and review the 

assessment when appropriate. 

3. The risks are not adequately 

controlled in all foreseeable situations. 

Again an immediate decision must be 

made about whether or not to carry 

on, perhaps with some temporary 

precautionary measure such as the 

use of personal protective equipment. 

The assessment must identify the 

preventive or precautionary measures 

required. 

Looking again at Lenstastic. It may be 

remembered that the firm was 

prosecuted for breaching Regulation 

17 of the W(HSW)R 92 for not having 

segregated pedestrian and vehicle 

routes in place. Had they conformed 

to the current regulation and its ACOP, 

Lenstastic’s profit forecast would have 

looked a little healthier and one of its 

employees would not have been so 

severely injured. Basically, the 

regulatory requirements call for 

pedestrians and vehicles to be able to 

move about the work place safely 

and that designated routes should be 

marked, signed and suitable for the 

persons and vehicles using them. 

Speed limits should be indicated and 

imposed (by use of physical or 

mechanical means if necessary eg 

speed humps or vehicle limiters). The 

provision of a pedestrian refuge of 

steel or concrete dams between 

vehicles and pedestrians in workplace 

areas such as loading bays should be 

considered, as should the 

identification of crisis or black-spot 

areas where cross roads used by 

vehicles and pedestrians are 

necessary. Blind spots occurring where 

doors or passageways open onto 

vehicle routes should have a one 

metre safety margin between them to 

permit pedestrians to observe in both 

directions before venturing forth. Any 

traffic route, used by pedestrians and 

vehicles in existence before 1 January 

1993 which is not wide enough to 

allow vehicles, or pedestrians and 

vehicles to pass safely, must be 

equipped with approved traffic 

management systems. The use of 

vehicle horn or siren as a warning et 

al. Clearly none of these systems 

appeared to be in operation at 

Lenstastic’s Preston plant. So what of 

their other plants? One can only 

imagine. 

Risk Assessment and Risk Control are 

inseparable facets of an overall Risk 

Management strategy. In summary, 

the main stratagems and procedures 

employed to create an understanding 

of Risk Management have been 

covered, albeit in a somewhat 

abbreviated form. In essence this part 

(Part 9) indicates ‘how to comply’ with 

the various requirements of the law, 

set out in previous articles, with 

examples of the penalties for noncompliance. 

RA and RM measures are essentially 

management functions. The 

workforce, however, must be included 

in the creation of a ‘safety culture’ 

which benefits everybody, in addition 

to which each has a duty in law one 

to the other. 

That’s it until next month. In the 

meantime, ‘Stay Safe’. 

Should anyone have a specific query 

they can contact Mike Hall, health 

and safety advisor to the SMC on 

(telephone and fax) 01825 754801 or 

michael.hall21@btinternet.com for free 

and confidential advice. 

STOP PRESS: Part seven in this series of 

articles, dealt in brief outline with the 

English Court system. With effect from 

01 October 2009, what was formerly 

the Appellate Committee of the 

House of Lords is to be recreated as 

the Supreme Court, but remains as the 

highest court in the UK. The existing 

twelve Law Lords remain but will now 

be explicitly separate from 

government and parliament. 

(www.supremecourt.gov.uk/about/the 

-supreme-court.html refers) ■


Chris Watson on his way to victory 

with Mark Keaney and Brian Jay 

Sun shines on autumn 

golfing day 

Members of the ABDO 

Golfing Society enjoyed 

another marvellous day of 

golfing at their autumn 

meeting in Olton, near 

Soilhull, Birmingham. “It was 

a breezy, yet warm and 

sunny day and the 

members and guests made 

the most of the facilities,” 

said member, Mike Barton. 

The winner of the Stercks 

Martin Salver was Chris 

Mike Stokes enjoys a well earned 

beer with Arthur Swain and David 

Gleiwitz 

Watson with 32 points, 

second was David Kirk, and 

third was Julian Gunn. The 

visitor’s prize went to David 

Gleiwitz, with the second 

visitor’s prize going to Mark 

Keaney, and the third to 

Andrew Dewhurst. The 

nearest the pin competition 

was won by Brian Jay, and 

the longest drive by Clive 

Cotton. 

The day was rounded off 

Optician Index - August 2009 summary 

Chris Watson is presented with the 

Stercks Martin Salver 

with a meal and society 

captain, Kevin Blake, 

warmly thanked Mark 

Keaney and Continental 

Eyewear for their kind and 

generous support. 

The ABDO Golfing Society is 

open to all dispensing 

opticians. Contact Mike 

Stokes on 01204 411722 or 

m.stokes67@ntlworld.com 

for details of future 

meetings. ■ 

Summary Points: 

• Total Turnover is up 7% since last month, this however is a 22% drop on the figures 

reported in August 08 and represents average growth over 12 months of -9% 

• Number of eye examinations has increased this month by 5% on July and the 

percentage of NHS tests, which increased slightly last month fall back to the 70% 

average seen over the last two and a half years 

• Lenses have also seen increases: 1.2% on Single Vision, 0.6% on bi/tri-focal, and 21% 

on progressives, though AR coats reduced by 1.6% since last month 

• Dispensing rate (a simple calculation of dispensing over eye examination volume) has 

increased slightly this month to 63%, a 3% rise on last month 

• Re-glazes are at 13% 

• Turnover per eye examination is fairly static at around £147 

• Average fee for an eye examination has increased by a little over 3% 

August brings some slightly more positive news with most of our Key Performance 

Indicators showing some increases. 

Eye examination fees were also investigated: 

The cost of an eye examination increased from last year, the range varies between £21 

and £50 per test with the average being £29.91 compared to £28.95 last year, an 

increase of over 3%. 25% of responding practices have an eye test fee of less than £25, 

the midpoint or median is £27.50, while 25% have fees higher than £35.00. It appears this 

year that the lower end of the fee scale has moved upwards, the lower quartile last year 

was £23.90, and the upper end may have moved slightly, but a whole section in the 

middle has stayed put with the most common fee charged being £25.00. 

The full August 2009 Optician Index report was 

published in the 25 September issue of Optician. 

Annual report 

now online 

The GOC Annual Report is 

now available online, for the 

first time. The move is part of 

the Council’s efforts to 

modernise, cut costs and be 

more innovative in the way 

it works. 

GOC chair, Geoff Harris, 

commented: “This has been 

a transformative year for the 

GOC, which is reflected in 

an updated, online Annual 

Report. Switching to a new 

format is part of a wider 

strategy of modernisation 

across the whole 

organisation. We are 

committed to being cost 

efficient, and innovative in 

all areas of our work. Our 

challenge is to achieve this 

whilst continuing to listen to 

the views of registrants, 

optical bodies, patients and 

the public. The launch of this 

year’s report is testament to 

that commitment.” 

For a copy of the 2008/09 

report visit http://annual 

report08-09.optical.org/ ■ 

ABDO Benevolent 

Fund 

If you know of a dispensing 

optician, or a dependant of 

a DO, who might benefit 

from the ABDO Benevolent 

Fund, please get in touch 

with Barbara Doris on 020 

7298 5102 or email 

bdoris@abdolondon.org.uk 

or write to her at ABDO, 199 

Gloucester Terrace, London 

W2 6LD. ■

Crisis seeks 

volunteers 

Dispensing opticians are 

urgently needed to help 

Crisis run its opticians 

services for homeless 

people in London this 

Christmas. Crisis is looking 

for staff from all disciplines, 

including receptionists and 

assistants to help from 23 to 

30 December. 

Nine temporary centres will 

be set up across the 

capital, providing vital 

companionship and hot 

meals for homeless and 

vulnerably housed people 

as well as essential services 

like health checks, housing 

advice, training and further 

education opportunities. 

Volunteers can apply for 

morning or afternoon shifts, 

but Crisis asks that every 

volunteer signs up for a 

minimum of two shifts on 

two separate days. 

Shaneela Chana, who 

coordinates the opticians 

service during Crisis 

Christmas, said: “As an 

optician I work in High 

Street practice throughout 

the year and as much as I 

enjoy my work, the people 

I’ve met at Crisis Christmas 

have been the most 

interesting and certainly the 

most humble I’ve had the 

pleasure to meet to date.” 

To find out more about 

volunteering, email 

volunteering@crisis.org.uk or 

apply online at www.crisis. 

org.uk/volunteering ■ 

Points from the 

President 

Having just returned from 

the Conference in Brighton 

with so many things to 

report, it is difficult to 

decide where to start. 

Firstly I would like to 

congratulate Kevin Gutsell 

and Angela McNamee on 

being elected to the ABDO 

Board. Both will bring great 

experience and 

knowledge to the table, 

which is very positive. 

Additionally I would like to 

thank Kelly Plahay and Jim 

Gordon for their efforts 

over the past few years, it is 

greatly appreciated. 

At the AGM we debated 

the proposals made by 

Richard Harsant and I have 

to say there were some 

very well thought out points 

of view, which I believe 

was very helpful. The vote 

proceeded with the 

membership deciding not 

to adopt the proposals. 

Sadly, less than 15 per cent 

of the membership 

decided to vote on this 

extremely important issue. I 

understand that in most 

ballots involving 

membership organisations 

this sort of number is par for 

the course. However, I 

absolutely believe that the 

number should be far 

higher regardless of what 

statistics tell us. In my mind, 

a proposal of this 

magnitude would have an 

effect on all of us, positive 

or negative hence the 

need to offer an opinion. It 

is clear that the Board 

needs to consider the 

outcome carefully and 

engage with the 

membership to get a wider 

view on how we progress. 

Brighton has come and 

gone but in my opinion, 

biased as it may be, we 

ensured that it was a 

weekend to remember 

and be very proud of. The 

entire weekend was 

fabulous from start to finish, 

from kicking off with golf on 

Friday afternoon to finishing 

with Johnny Apples. All the 

speakers were outstanding 

and offered great insight 

into the science of optics. 

The standard has reached 

an all time high for an 

ABDO programme. The 

exhibitors were hugely 

supportive and did a great 

job. Many of us will have 

learned much more about 

what is available in the 

market. The support of 

these companies is 

invaluable and makes the 

conference a reality for us. 

May I extend a special 

thank you to the ABDO 

staff, in particular Elaine 

and Michael who once 

again did a brilliant job 

and I hope that members 

recognise the importance 

of their input. Next year we 

roll on into Celtic Manor in 

Wales. I sincerely hope that 

more of the membership 

Newsbrief 

Barry Duncan 

will attend next year so 

that we can maintain 

momentum for the 

conference and build on 

the successes of 

Manchester and Brighton. 

On a personal note, it was 

incredibly exciting to meet 

so many people at the 

conference and put faces 

to names. There are some 

great people associated 

with ABDO, none more so 

than the great Bernard 

Maitenaz. To have Mr 

Maitenaz spend the 

weekend with us was very 

special for the Association 

and I took great pleasure 

in awarding him an 

Honorary Fellowship. 

Additionally I would like to 

recognise the efforts of the 

others who received 

awards that evening, John 

Baker, John Fried, Sheila 

Hope, Ros Kirk, and Huntly 

Taylor. Each of them has 

contributed enormously to 

the Association and 

thoroughly deserves this 

recognition. 

So it is back to focusing on 

other activities in what is 

notoriously a busy time of 

the year. We have many 

scheduled meetings with 

other stakeholders very 

shortly and I will report in 

due course how things are 

going. 

Barry Duncan 

barry@erskineopticians.co.uk


Delegates enjoy a punt along the River Cam 

Talking technology at the Essilor lens symposium 

Report: John Pike FBDO 

The 2009 Essilor lens symposium took 

place in September at the University 

Arms Hotel, Cambridge, where the 

company provided its customary high 

standard of speakers, presentations 

and entertainment. 

Gildas Marin from Essilor International 

highlighted the extensive research and 

development programme, which is 

the backbone of the company’s latest 

lens designs. Essilor is currently using 

virtual reality techniques in order to 

simulate real-life environments for 

spectacle wearers and this enables 

the development of ever more 

sophisticated progressive lenses. 

Frederic Arrouy gave a very 

informative presentation on Crizal 

Forte – Essilor's newest and toughest 

MAR coating – whilst apologising for 

his very occasional mispronunciation 

of English words. Some of the female 

delegates felt that this only added to 

Monsieur Arrouy’s Gallic charm and 

did not seem to mind at all! 

Ruffling a few feathers 

Dr Glyn Walsh of Glasgow Caledonian 

University ruffled a few feathers by 

challenging the research on which 

much of the dispensing process is 

based. He suggested that lens 

manufacturers would find it difficult to 

be impartial when analysing the 

performance of their own lenses 

compared with those of their 

competitors – and that even doubleblind 

trials could not always be relied 

upon. Dr Walsh’s theories were 

certainly thought-provoking and 

caused lively debate among the 

academics in the audience. It was 

refreshing to see established principles 

being challenged in this way and 

although there were several 

conflicting views, the debate was 

conducted in a gentlemanly and lighthearted 

manner. 

Next Professor David Whitaker talked 

about the inherent dangers of tinted 

spectacles in situations where an 

inappropriate tint could impair rather 

than enhance a wearer’s vision. He 

demonstrated how sunglasses could 

aid discomfort glare but have no 

effect (or even the opposite effect) on 

disability glare – where light scatter 

within the eye reduces the contrast of 

retinal images and hence impairs 

vision. This phenomenon is particularly 

noticeable when driving in certain 

light conditions and as Professor 

Whitaker proved, could be a 

contributory factor in road traffic 

accidents. 

Trip down memory lane 

Dr Colin Fowler and Professor Mo Jalie 

gave very interesting presentations on 

Essilor itself. Dr Fowler talked about the 

history of the Varilux lens – which has 

been in production, in one version or 

another, for 50 years. The general 

public would no doubt be surprised to 

learn this fact – and also to learn of 

the very complex and sophisticated 

technology, which lies at the heart of 

this family of lenses. Professor Jalie took 

delegates down memory lane, 

describing the history of Essilor from its 

origins in the Societe des Lunetiers (the 

S and L of ‘Essel’) to the large 

international organisation that it is 

today. Professor Jalie treated his 

audience to a selection of 

photographs, many of which featured 

not just him, but other well-known 

optical personalities (some of whom 

were in the audience) in much 

younger days – from the 1970s 

onwards. Were our kipper ties really 

that wide in those days? 

It was with regret that delegates said 

‘au revoir’ to Jacques Desallais, 

Essilor’s head of marketing, who has 

now retired to pursue other interests. 

Several of those who had worked with 

M Desallais expressed their fondness 

for one of optics’ great characters – 

and the man himself seemed 

genuinely moved by the warmth and 

appreciation extended to him. 

Taking a punt 

The symposium would not have been 

complete without Essilor’s programme 

of entertainment, which this year 

featured a punting tour along the river 

Cam in glorious late afternoon sunshine. 

Although there were a few near misses 

between our own expertly crewed 

craft and those propelled by nervous 

tourists, nobody got wet and delegates 

were able to relax while the dreaming 

spires of famous colleges drifted by. 

After an excellent dinner, a young 

man by the name of Alex transfixed his 

audience with an impressive show of 

prestidigitation and mindreading. He 

admitted he had not yet been able to 

predict the winning numbers in the 

National Lottery (obvious really, since 

he was still working for his living – and 

in any case Derren Brown had just 

beaten him to it) but he was somehow 

able to instantly turn Essilor’s own Andy 

Hepworth into a reader of minds. It 

seemed almost superfluous, at the end 

of the symposium, to complete a 

delegate feedback form. Surely Andy 

knew the answers already! 

Yet again, Essilor excelled in organising 

an event that was informative, 

educational, entertaining and hugely 

enjoyable. I hope that I shall be 

privileged to receive an invitation to 

the 2010 symposium. ■

‘Give CLs a go’ say 

optical bodies 

Martin’s the top 

of his class 

Sri Lankan group 

joins FMO 

Newsbrief 

Getting started in CLs Award for top technician Pinder’s Julie Rigby 

Dispensing opticians are being encouraged 

to specialise in contact lenses by way of a 

new joint initiative by the BCLA and ABDO. 

The two organisations have teamed up to 

produce a new leaflet, entitled ‘See yourself 

as a contact lens practitioner?’, 

encouraging more optometrists and DOs to 

‘give it a go’. 

The new leaflet, aimed primarily at students 

and the newly qualified, describes the 

benefits of fitting contact lenses, from 

increased job satisfaction to greater career 

prospects – and provides guidance on who 

fits contact lenses in the UK and how to get 

started. It also explains how to gain skills and 

experience in contact lens fitting and the 

current requirements for CET in contact 

lenses. It goes on to describe the higher 

education courses and qualifications 

available to practitioners to formally 

recognise their level of expertise. 

BCLA council member, optometrist Brian 

Tompkins, commented: “What we really want 

to get over to new recruits to the profession is 

how much fun it is to fit contact lenses - how 

rewarding contact lenses are to us as 

practitioners and how life-changing they can 

be for our patients. I hope this leaflet will 

encourage more practitioners to get started 

and give it a go.” 

The leaflet will be distributed to students at 

events around the UK in the coming year, 

plus copies can be downloaded from the 

BCLA website www.bcla.org.uk or from 

ABDO’s website at www.abdo.org.uk 

For additional copies, and to find out more 

about specialising in contact lenses, contact 

the BCLA on 020 7580 6661 or email 

marketing@bcla.org.uk. Or contact the 

ABDO membership services department on 

01227 733 829 or email 

membership@abdo.org.uk ■ 

Workshop technician Martin Brown has 

been awarded the Benny Lipsey Prize for 

achieving the highest examination marks 

in the country after passing the SMC’s 

Level 2 qualification in Optical 

Production Processes. Mr Brown, who is 

part of the team at Paul Todd Opticians 

in Lincoln, attended an awards 

ceremony at Apothecaries Hall in 

London last month to receive his 

certificate and award. He is pictured 

(right) being congratulated by practice 

owner, Paul Todd. ■ 

A Sri Lankan optical conglomerate is the 

first overseas company, without a UK 

presence, to sign up to membership of 

the FMO, as the country emerges from 

30 years of civil war. Highray Enterprises 

(George Gooneratne Group), which 

includes 12 practices and a 

manufacturing lab, is looking forward to 

learning more about the way that the UK 

optical market functions. 

“I am delighted that we have been 

selected as associate members of this 

esteemed organisation,” said Mr D. 

Abeygooneratne, proprietor of the 

Group. “We are hopeful that due to the 

end of the war and complete liberation 

of the country that we will flourish, and 

we look forward to working with the FMO 

very closely.” ■ 

Group benefits 

from IT upgrade 

The five-strong R.C. Pinder 

Opticians Group in 

Nottinghamshire has 

upgraded its practice 

management system and 

is now reaping the 

benefits of centralised 

stock control and recall 

functions. 

“We now carry all the 

branch data at our 

Mansfield headquarters, 

and have enhanced the 

reporting function 

enormously,” said Julie 

Rigby, practice IT 

administrator. “We also 

produce all the reminder 

letters from here in 

conjunction with advice 

from the branches. The 

centralised reporting is 

very good as it enables us 

to see which branches are 

performing best in certain 

aspects of the practice.” 

The group had been 

running Optisoft’s practice 

management system for 

nine years but has just 

upgraded to the 

Enterprise Edition, which 

brings the new 

functionality with interbranch 

data transfer. 

www.optisoft.co.uk ■ 

Advertise on the ABDO website 

If you have a job vacancy in your practice, please remember that 

the Situations Vacant section in the Bulletin Board area of the ABDO 

website provides you with a quick and easy facility to advertise 

completely free of charge. ■


Six Six Vision programme ABDO contact lens examinations 

No more forever 

blowing bulbs . . . 

North London practice Eye 

Value is taking full 

advantage of the benefits 

of using the Six Six Vision 

programme from Grafton 

Optical. The programme 

comprises a complete set of 

visual acuity tests for use on 

a Mac or PC. 

Ben Jacobs of Eye Value 

explained: “We used to use 

a projector but the bulbs 

blew regularly and they 

were expensive to replace. 

The Six Six Vision Programme 

Call for papers, posters 

and ‘hot topics’ 

The lines are now open for submissions of 

papers and posters for the BCLA’s 2010 

exhibition in Birmingham from May 27 to 

30. Scientific papers and posters will be 

considered on any topic related to 

contact lenses and/or the anterior eye. 

The deadline for submitting abstracts is 

January 8. 

The BCLA is also trialling ‘hot topics’, a 

new submission category in 2010 to make 

sure the latest issues are aired at the 

conference and to encourage discussion. 

Subject matter should be highly topical 

and could be a new fitting strategy, way 

of grading, proposed risk factor or 

revolutionary instrument/technique. 

Presenters will each have 10 minutes to 

outline the issue and an open discussion 

will be held at the end of each session. 

The final submission date for ‘hot topics’ is 

April 15. 

Also invited are images for the BCLA 

on the other hand works out 

more cost-effective and is 

far superior. It has a variety 

of charts, it’s constant and 

upgrades are regularly 

provided. Customers also 

think it’s smart. People 

perceive the practice 

differently when you use the 

latest computerised 

equipment. Customers 

have come to expect the 

most up-to-date equipment 

and the SixSix Vision 

Programme is seen as just 

that.” ■ 

Summer 2010 

contact lens examinations 

Those planning to sit the 

Summer 2010 practical 

examinations for the 

Certificate in Contact Lens 

Practice should note that 

the closing date for 

registering Supervisors and 

Practices for Provisional 

Approval is 31 January 2010. 

Registration documents are 

available upon request from 

Examinations and 

Registration Department on 

01227 732921 or email 

examinations@abdo.org.uk 

photographic competition, which takes 

place at the conference. The winning 

entries will be published in the Association’s 

journal, Contact Lens & Anterior Eye. The 

closing date for entries is April 23. 

For each conference submission 

accepted by the Academic Committee, 

the first author will receive a voucher to 

the value of £100 towards the cost of 

registering for the conference. Research 

papers accepted for publication in 

Contact Lens & Anterior Eye within a year 

of the conference will be awarded a 

further voucher of £100 towards the first 

author’s full delegate fee at the 2011 

conference. 

Visit www.bcla.org.uk, email events 

@bcla.org.uk or call 020 7580 6661 for 

more information on how to make your 

submission. Full details of the conference 

programme and registration will be 

available from December. ■ 

For the attention of those 

with partial success in the 

Contact Lens Certificate 

Examinations 

Those with partial success in 

the examinations for the 

Certificate in Contact Lens 

Practice qualification should 

note that from 1 March 

2009, candidates will be 

required to retake any 

element/s of the Contact 

Lens Certificate 

examinations which were 

passed seven years or more 

years previously. 

This ruling has been 

introduced in the light of the 

ever advancing status of 

contact lens practice and 

relates to theory 

examinations or sections of 

the practical examination. 

This change does not affect 

those who already hold the 

CL Certificate or Advanced 

CL Diploma 

Rosemary Bailey 

Chief Examiner in Contact 

Lens practice 

MAPO news 

‘Refresh Your Knowledge’ is 

the tagline of the 2009 

MAPO continuing 

professional education 

conference, being held at 

the Impiana KLCC Hotel & 

Spa, Kuala Lumpur, 

Malaysia, on 14 and 15 

November. For more details 

and to register, email 

info@mapo.org.my ■

Area 5 CET Day at the Arden Hotel in Solihull Dibble offers B&S accessories 

Area 

news-round 

Area 5 (Midlands): Great turn-out for CET day 

Eighty delegates attended 

Area 5’s annual CET day at 

the Arden Hotel in Solihull 

on 14 September. The 

event was MC’d by Area 

chairman, Stuart Jacques, 

who welcomed delegates 

to what he was sure would 

be an enjoyable and 

informative day worth six 

CET points. 

Andy Hepworth, 

professional relations 

manager for Essilor, kicked 

off proceedings with a 

fascinating talk entitled, 

‘From Betamax to Blue-Ray: 

Varifocal evolution’. 

Following a short coffee 

break, consultant 

oculoplastic surgeon, Omar 

Durrani, began a two-part 

presentation on ‘Dry eyes, 

watering eyes and their 

management’. 

Members were delighted 

that ABDO president, Barry 

Duncan, and head of 

professional services, Elaine 

Grisdale, were able to 

attend and at this point, 

Barry addressed delegates 

on current ‘hot’ issues for 

dispensing opticians. A very 

high quality hot/cold buffet 

lunch was then served, 

giving delegates an 

opportunity to visit the 

exhibition stands. 

First to take the podium 

after lunch was Sarah 

Morgan with her lively talk 

on ‘Psychology of 

presbyopia’, which 

included a new worded 

version of ‘Mama Mia’ 

involving smiling delegates’ 

participation! She was 

followed by Julian Wiles of 

Younger Optics Europe, 

who spoke on ‘Drivewear: 

a new lens category’. 

Finally, Charlotte Magson 

from Transitions Optical 

gave a very informative 

talk entitled, ‘Transitions: a 

new standard lens?’. 

Stuart, who did an 

excellent job keeping the 

day moving on time, 

brought the day to a close 

by thanking all of our 

speakers, exhibitors and the 

Area 5 committee for their 

efforts in making the event 

successful. ABDO Area 5 

would also like to thank our 

sponsors/exhibitors for the 

day, who were Linda 

Thompson, territory 

manager of Alcon UK, Mark 

Keaney, area sales 

manager of Continental 

Eyewear, and all 

representatives from Essilor, 

Transitions and Younger 

Optics. 

We were also very pleased 

that 10 delegates signed 

up for our early bird offer to 

attend our next CET day in 

Derby on Monday 15 

March 2010. 

Report: Ian Hardwick 

Area 5 vice chairman 

New independent 

supplier 

Optical accessories from 

Breitfeld & Schliekert (B&S) 

are now available in the UK 

and Eire from Dibble Optical 

Supplies. “B&S and its 

product range are greatly 

respected internationally,” 

said Barry Dibble. “Having 

been involved with the UK 

distribution for several years 

I am delighted to take on 

the supply as an 

independent company. 

“Dibble Optical Supplies 

has been borne from a 

desire to serve the UK 

market with a friendly 

Newsbrief 

Rimless design award 

seeks creative talents 

service from a 

knowledgeable team who 

understand the competitive 

demands of modern 

practice,” added Barry. 

Based in Kent, Dibble 

Optical Supplies holds 

hundreds of B&S products in 

stock for same-day 

despatch on orders 

received by 3:30pm. 

Operations manager is 

Jackie Smith, well known to 

many existing B&S 

customers. Telephone 01634 

880885 or email 

info@dibbleoptical.co.uk ■ 

Fancy yourself as an eyewear designer? Silhouette has 

launched a new international competition – the Rimless 

Aesthetic Design Award – giving practitioners the chance 

to create unique eyewear designs that “champion a 

rimless design ethic and highlight their customers’ 

individuality”. 

Dispensing opticians and optometrists from all over the 

world are invited to submit their best creations to 

participate in the competition, dubbed “Silhouette à la 

Carte“. Three national winners will be selected to go 

through to the international heat, with the winner 

announced during Mido 2010 in Milan. 

Entrants may submit as many rimless designs as they 

would like, in the form of an image or photograph of a 

model wearing the rimless design. Submissions will be 

accepted through to 24 December 2009. 

Go to www.silhouette.com/RimlessAward for further 

information. ■


The BCLA London office Hands-on experience of basic and 

advanced techniques 

BCLA news 

New formats for contact lens education 

British Contact Lens 

Association events will be 

free to members for the rest 

of this year and include new 

evening workshops. Vivien 

Freeman reports. 

If you are one of the eight in 

ten contact lens opticians 

who feel they could 

improve their fitting skills, a 

new series of practical 

workshops will help build 

your confidence. 

Held in the evening at the 

BCLA’s central London 

office, the workshops will 

cover a wide range of 

topics and provide 

demonstrations and handson 

experience in a relaxed 

and friendly environment. 

Attendance is free of 

charge to BCLA members 

and each workshop is 

approved for 4 CL CET 

points. 

The first topic covered, on 

30 November, will be 

Important reminder to all contact lens opticians 

If you fit contact lens it is essential you 

are registered on the GOC specialty 

list and that you also hold appropriate 

insurance cover for conducting 

contact lens work. Work with contact 

lenses can constitute as little as just 

multifocal contact lens 

fitting led by Jayne 

Schofield and Susan Bowers. 

Supply your own spectacle 

prescription and 

keratometry readings and 

you can experience 

multifocal lens wear as well 

as fitting your colleagues. 

Basic soft toric contact lens 

fitting is the topic for the 

workshop on 1 December, 

when Keith Cavaye and 

Rosemary Bailey will provide 

hands-on experience of 

toric fitting techniques and 

explain orientation markings, 

stabilisation methods and 

dealing with lens rotation. 

If you want to fit rigid gaspermeable 

lenses but lack 

the confidence to try, the 9 

December workshop is the 

ideal place to get started. 

Shelly Bansal and Keith 

Tempany will give an 

overview of the underlying 

principles of basic RGP 

fitting and delegates will 

then fit lenses to each other 

under supervision. 

These workshops are 

already proving popular so 

contact the BCLA now to 

reserve your place. 

Also planned for 2010 is a 

series of specialist workshops 

to be held in practices 

around the UK. These 

evening events will be 

hosted by BCLA 

practitioners experienced in 

advanced contact lens 

fitting. Topics will include 

orthokeratology, scleral 

lenses, keratoconic fitting, 

anterior eye photography, 

and large diameter and 

hybrid lenses. 

Don’t forget to register for 

BCLA Pioneers Conference 

which takes place in 

London on 26 November. 

This half-day conference is 

free of charge and open 

only to BCLA members and 

new members joining 

one hour a week. So please don’t put 

yourself in a liable position for the sake 

of an extra £10.00 per year insurance 

premium – this additional cover is 

available by using ABDO’s professional 

indemnity insurance for CLOs. 

before the event. This year’s 

programme will cover 

specialist lenses and 

techniques, and is 

approved for 1 General and 

3 CL CET points in total. 

Additional CL CET points are 

available through journalbased 

learning in each issue 

of the BCLA journal, 

Contact Lens & Anterior 

Eye, which is also free to 

members. 

A date for your diary: The 

2010 BCLA Clinical 

Conference and Exhibition 

will be held in Birmingham 

from 27–30 May. A call for 

papers, posters, 

photographic entries and 

new ‘hot topics’ is now on 

the BCLA website and the 

first deadline for submission 

is 8 January. 

• For more information 

about the workshops, BCLA 

Pioneers Conference and 

BCLA membership, visit 

www.bcla.org.uk, email 

events@bcla.org.uk or call 

020 7580 6661. ■ 

The current CET period comes to an 

end in December 2009 so please 

remember that all CLOs must achieve 

the required additional 18 CL CET 

points if they wish to remain on the 

GOC specialty register. ■

Allen and Brown 

on the move 

Transitions Optical has 

appointed Roland Allen as 

director, Sunwear – EMEA 

and Asia Pacific. Allen was 

previously business director 

of Transitions Optical – 

Northern Europe. In this 

newly created role, he will 

be responsible for the 

development and launch 

of Transitions SOLFX 

products with existing and 

new partners, alignment 

with Transitions Optical 

commercial teams and 

expanding demand for the 

Transitions SOLFX brand. 

In another move, Lindsay 

Brown is now general 

Lindsay Brown 

Silmo moves to combat downturn 

Visitor numbers to Silmo in 

Paris fell by 20 per cent this 

year, to 32,000. Organisers 

blamed the fall in 

attendance on the 

weakness of the global 

economy, and what it 

termed “hyper media 

coverage” of swine flu. 

The distribution of visitors 

from France and other 

countries, however, 

remained unchanged, at 

49 per cent and 51 per 

cent respectively. 

The show is to change 

venue in 2010 – moving to 

the Paris-Nord Villepinte 

international exhibition 

centre near Charles de 

Gaulle Airport, some 23km 

manager of Transitions 

Optical, EMEA (Europe, 

Middle East and Africa). 

“His optical industry 

expertise and extensive 

insight into the 

requirements of the EMEA 

market will be invaluable to 

positioning the EMEA 

businesses for continued 

growth,” said Brett Craig, 

president, Transitions 

Optical. Lindsay added: “I 

look forward to the 

challenges that will come 

with my new role, as well as 

the opportunities and 

successes that lie ahead for 

our company and our 

partners.” ■ 

north of the city centre. 

Silmo president Guy 

Charlot said the move 

would make the show 

more welcome and 

effective. He said: 

“Everything augurs well for 

Simple lens reference 

Lens catalogue 

on a stick 

Freeform dispensing made easy 

The new Kodak Easy Lens uses micro 

digital surfacing technology to produce a 

lens with “precision accuracy, diminishing 

the residual lateral astigmatism associated 

with conventional progressive lenses”. 

According to producer Signet Armorlite, by 

combining high performance controllers 

with single point cutting technology, the 

‘ultimate surface quality’ is generated. 

Kodak Easy Lens is hard coated as 

The practice retail version 

of the Norville Ophthalmic 

Lens catalogue 2009/10 is 

now available on a 

memory stick. The 

complete catalogue can 

be supplied as an Excel file, 

ready to load with personal 

mark-up information 

providing instant retail 

pricing for over 500 

products. By providing an 

email address, this version 

will be supported by free 

updates, featuring changes 

or new lens product 

introductions throughout the 

year. An order form can 

be downloaded from 

www.norville.co.uk ■ 

Silmo 2010 [23 to 26 

September] which promises 

to be a stimulating event, 

beginning with a change 

of image and explicit 

tagline – ‘new ambitions, 

new contacts, new 

business areas’.” ■ 

Newsbrief 

Zerrin Pekri of Horizon Optical 

Charity support 

on the horizon 

Horizon Optical is 

celebrating its sixth year of 

support for Vision Care for 

Homeless People – the 

charity that provides frames 

and lenses for the needy of 

London. “Since we started 

to support Harinder Paul 

and his work the volume of 

dispensing has increased 

considerably,” said Zerrin 

Pekri, Horizon Optical’s sales 

director. “There is a 

tremendous demand for this 

amazing charity.” 

The Dunstable-based 

company has seen 

prescriptions for the 

homeless pass through its 

labs that range from 

+10.00D to -7.00D, but with 

the majority between -3.00D 

to +2.00D. More volunteer 

optometrists and dispensing 

opticians are needed, not 

just at the London centres, 

but also at the Snow Hill, 

Birmingham, practice. Find 

out more by calling 020 

7017 2026 or email carly@ 

visioncarecharity.org ■ 

standard and available in a multitude of 

materials from 1.50 to 1.74 indices with sun 

options including polarised, Transitions, 

SunSensors and InstaShades. 

As an introductory offer, a BOGOF offer is 

available on all first orders of Kodak Easy 

Lenses. To obtain a Kodak Easy Lens 2-4-1 

voucher or for a free information pack, 

email enquiries@kodaklens.co.uk or 

telephone 01452 887410. ■


Disjointed jottings from a DO’s desk . . . 

ABDO College Trustee Gillian Twyning, has found some 

heated debates on the bulletin board 

Gillian Twyning: “Get involved . . .” 

I have now been a trustee for ABDO 

College for a year and I have found it 

to be a very interesting and rewarding 

position. It is also nice to see another 

side of the Association and how hard 

the people behind the scenes, and in 

front, work to ensure the future of the 

Association and the future role of 

dispensing opticians in the optical 

industry. 

We now have two new members on 

the Board, Kevin Gutsell and Angela 

McNamee. Some of the Board 

candidates were very pro-active 

before the election, starting blogs and 

debates on the bulletin board. It is a 

pity that more members don't get 

involved with these since there can be 

some interesting and heated debates 

to take part in. It’s good to see from 

who do use the board the passion, 

drive and firm ideas regarding our 

status in the optical industry and 

where we should be heading. 

I feel we have a large mountain to 

climb to get the recognition we 

deserve, especially when other fellow 

professionals allegedly recommend 

Getting 

opinions on 

board 

ready readers and when we have to 

deal with the adverts, not only in the 

printed media but now on television, 

encouraging people to buy 

spectacles on-line. In this economic 

climate patients are being more 

cautious with their money. However, 

they need to made aware of the 

pitfalls of buying their spectacles online 

and this is where tighter 

regulations in dispensing need to be 

enforced. 

As regards tighter regulations, the 

debate of optical assistant dispensing 

keeps popping up on the bulletin 

boards. In my opinion I do not think 

ABDO should be the governing body, 

but I see no problem in using the 

College facilities and giving advice 

and, more importantly, guidelines on 

the training that optical assistants 

should receive. I’m aware of the 

opinion out there that if ABDO or 

ABDO College get involved with 

optical assistant training then 

employers will use this as an excuse 

not to employ DOs. I feel this action 

will be in the minority as employers 

who replace DOs with optical 

assistants will see a negative effect on 

their business. As for those employers 

who already use optical assistants 

instead of DOs, they will keep doing so 

whether or not ABDO or ABDO 

College - or any other college - is 

involved in the training. I am a firm 

believer if we, as DOs, have a say in 

setting the quality and amount of 

training an OA receives, then we can 

help the OA realise their limitations. 

Personally, as a new practice owner, I 

do use optical assistants - not to 

replace the DO but to aid them. Yes, 

my OA will do very basic dispensing 

and advise patients where possible 

within their limitations but they are fully 

aware of the GOC regulations. I feel 

allowing an OA to be involved in a 

small way with the dispensing side can 

give them a taster for the role of DO. 

Possibly this will encourage some 

optical assistants to take it further and 

train as DOs. 

In the current economic climate, we 

need unity throughout the optical 

world as a whole and not the near 

competition for recognition that seems

to be taking place between optoms 

and DOs. If the public are to recognise 

and respect us then we must 

recognise and respect each other. 

Optoms, DOs, CLOs and optical 

assistants are all part of the care we as 

an industry offer our patients. 

Everyone plays a role in the patient 

experience. It is vital that we recognise 

the strengths of each speciality and 

make the most of these - but also 

recognise our own and each others’ 

limitations. 

Unfortunately, the majority of the 

general public does not care if the 

person they see for a dispense is 

qualified or specialised. This is not their 

fault and us berating the use of optical 

assistants will not change this. 

Personally, I would love to see a return 

to regulated dispensing so that only 

qualified persons are able to do this. 

Realistically, I do not see this 

happening in the near future. 

Therefore, it is down to us as 

professionals – and this includes 

optoms – to educate the public about 

the different types of opticians and 

each of their specialities. We need to 

take a proactive approach, as a 

united industry, to promote the need 

to be dispensed by a DO. If we can 

do this and raise our profile, the need 

for optical assistants to dispense will 

reduce and hopefully they can return 

to doing what they are trained for and 

good at – assisting the DO, optom and 

mostly running the practice. 

Recently the GOC brought a case 

against Boots Opticians over the 

unsupervised dispensing of an under 

16 year-old by a student DO without 

the supervisor being present. I think 

we all know the basics of this story and 

whilst I feel this was harsh to the 

student and partly to the supervisor, I 

do feel that it was necessary. I hope 

the outcome will mean the GOC will 

tighten up on unregulated dispensing 

and it may lead to a lift in our profile 

as a whole. 

Gillian Twyning FBDO is a practice 

owner, probationary practical 

examiner, sits on the Journal Advisory 

Committee and is an ABDO College 

Trustee. ■ 

Book review 

Environmental and Occupational 

Optometry 

by Gordon H Carson, published by Butterworth Heinemann 

Elsevier Health Sciences, ISBN 978-0-7506-7552-9 

This pocket sized volume is part of the 

'Eye Essentials' series edited by William 

Harvey and Sandip Doshi. This series is 

stated in the preface as being 

'intended to cover the core skills 

required by the eye care practitioner 

in general and/or specialised 

practice'. 

The book is divided into nine 

chapters: visual performance and 

efficiency, visual standards and vision 

screening, ocular injuries and hazards, 

eye protection - standards and 

statutes, lighting and visual 

performance, eye protection - 

appliances and materials, visual 

display units, sunglasses and sports 

eyewear, colour vision and colour 

coding. 

This book should perhaps be looked 

upon as an introduction to the 

subject rather than a work of 

reference. This is, however, an 

appropriate work in this field where 

the rules, regulations and standards 

are constantly changing and where a 

traditional textbook would soon be 

out of date. Thus at the end of the 

book there is a useful bibliography 

and list of websites which give the 

latest information. 

As evidenced by the fact that two 

chapters are devoted to the subject, 

the most extensive coverage is given 

to eye protection for occupational 

needs. A detailed description is given 

of the myriad standards relevant to 

this subject area, as well as a 

description of the various lens 

materials and eye protectors that are 

available. 

The strength of this book is that it is 

written in a readily readable style with 

plenty of practical examples. One 

can criticise various aspects. For me 

there should be more on driving as 

this is such a universal activity. I would 

also like a more detailed discussion 

on colour vision, and I think that the 

advice on the use of coloured 

contact lenses in colour deficiency 

could be misleading. But these are 

minor points and overall this book is 

thoroughly recommended as a useful 

guide to this subject area. 

Reviewed by Dr Colin Fowler who is a 

Senior Lecturer on the Undergraduate 

Optometry Programme at the School 

of Life and Health Sciences at Aston 

University, Birmingham. He is also a 

member of the Ophthalmic Research 

Group. This book is available from the 

ABDO College Bookshop. ■ 

ABDO COLLEGE BOOKSHOP 

This book, plus numerous other titles, can be purchased from the 

ABDO College Bookshop at www.abdo.org.uk or by contacting 

Justin Hall on 01227 733904, email jhall@abdocollege.org.uk


Answers: A visually impaired patient’s first low vision assessment 

by Richard Harsant FBDO(Hons)CL (Hons)LV 

1. Which of the following is NOT a suitable heading for the 

recording of an initial history? 

a. Home circumstances 

b. Registration status 

c. Near centration distance 

d. Family ocular history 

c is the correct answer. 

2. Which of the following is NOT a heading for recording 

individual requirements? 

a. Daily living b. Smoker or not? 

c. Vocational d. Recreational 

b is the correct answer. 

3. Which of the following is NOT a valid criticism of a 

standard Snellen chart for assessing LV patients? 

a. Too many large letters 

b. Variable crowding factor 

c. Unsuitable for moving closer to the patient 

d. Non-logarithmic design 

a is the correct answer. 

4. When using the Fluency Scale F1 means: 

a. Mistakes made and prompting required 

b. Marked hesitation, but no mistakes or prompting 

c. Reads well with only occasional hesitation 

d. Reads fluently with no hesitation or mistakes 


5. Near vision should be assessed at 25cm because: 

a. All patients are tested with a +4.00 Addition 

b. Older people tend to hold reading matter at this 

distance 

c. Nominal magnification can be predicted at this 

distance 

d. It is easier to hold the chart steady when its close to the 

patient 


6. The Pelli Robson chart is normally used at what distance 

from the patient? 

a. 0.5 metres b. 1.0 metres 

c. 2.0 metres d. 3.0 metres 


7. Which of the following is NOT a factor that may affect 

the amount of magnification prescribed? 

a. Whether the task involves low or high contrast 

b. How long the task has to be performed 

c. The available illumination 

d. The age of the patient 

d is the correct answer. 

8. When using a stand magnifier a patient should: 

a. Wear their normal reading correction 

b. Wear their distance correction 

c. Hold he magnifier at arm’s length 

d. Lift the magnifier away from the page 


9. The expression ‘RSD’ stands for: 

a. Reading Standard Distance 

b. Reference Seeing Distance 

c. Rapid Seeing Diplopia 

d. Reference Seeing Diplopia. 


10. Asthenopia means: 

a. Difficulty in breathing 

b. Eyestrain 

c. Hard of hearing 

d. Seeing double 


11. The Standard relating to LV terminology is: 

a. BS EN ISO 15253* 

b. SB NE OSI 15253 

c. BS EN ISO 35251 

d. BS EN IOS 52513 


12. In relation to spectacle magnifiers, near-vision 

telescopic units tend to have: 

a. a shorter working distance 

b. a longer working distance 

c. the same working distance 

d. a wider field of view 


The answers to ‘Slit-lamp essentials’ will appear in our December 2009 issue 

In last month's CET article 'Slit-lamp essentials', the captions for figure 3 and figure 4 were transposed. 

Figure 3 should have been captioned 'Direct illumination' and figure 4 'Optic section'. This was corrected 

in the online pdf.

Diary of events 

November 

Sight Care Group - 

‘Managing and motivating staff’, Bristol 

9th, London 10th, Manchester 11th, 

Newcastle 12th, Birmingham 13th, Belfast 

16th, Scotland 19th. For more details 

email training@sightcare.co.uk 

November 11 

Area 12 (Scotland) - CET Day, speakers 

Scott Brown from Scotlens, subject to be 

confirmed, and Julian Wiles from Younger 

Optics ‘Trivex: making life simpler’, 

sponsored by Scotlens, Younger Optics 

and WRX Eyeworks, Two Bridges, South 

Queensferry. For further details email 

Brenda Rennie brendarennie@f2s.com 

November 25 

Area 11 (London) - AGM and CET lecture, 

time and venue to be confirmed. For 

further details email Hishu Monji 

hishumonji@yahoo.co.uk 

November 26 

BCLA - BCLA Pioneers Conference, freeof-charge 

and open only to BCLA 

members, an afternoon of lectures 

celebrating milestones in contact lenses 

and looking forward to future advances, 

followed by an evening lecture Royal 

Society of Medicine. For further details 

visit www.bcla.org.uk 

November 26 

BCLA - 6th BCLA Pioneers Lecture, 

open to BCLA members and guests, Dr 

Alan Saks will speak on ‘Specialist lenses 

and management techniques in 

contact lens practice’, Royal Society of 

Medicine. For further details visit 

www.bcla.org.uk 

November 27-29 

BCLA - BCLA speaker at 35th Hospital 

Optometrists Annual Conference, 

Majestic Hotel, Springfield Avenue, 

Harrogate HG1 2HU. For more 

information, contact 

alison.weston@leedsth.nhs.uk 

November 27 and 29 

Identity Optical Training - ABDO Final 

Year Practical Exam Revision Courses 

(old syllabus), £70 per day, London. For 

more information contact Sally Bates on 

020 8504 0967 or email 

identity@sallybates.com 

December 

Sight Care Group - 

‘Differentiation - selling additional 

services’, Bristol 7th, London 8th, 

Manchester 9th, Newcastle 10th, 

Birmingham 11th, Scotland 14th, Belfast 

16th. For more details email 

training@sightcare.co.uk 

December 2 

Area 3 (North West) - CET evening and 

AGM, The Haydock Thistle Hotel, St 

Helens, Merseyside. For more information 

email rs.morris@btopenworld.com 

December 6 and 7 


Year (FQE) Practical Exam Revision 

Courses, £70 per day, London. For more 

information contact Sally Bates on 020 

8504 0967 or email 


December 7 

Signet Armorlite - CET seminar ‘Kodak 

Lens Vision Centre Membership 

Programme’, delegates will also hear 

about the latest developments from 

participating companies, Mainline, 

Continental Eyewear and Sauflon, 

Chartwell Castle, Kent. To book a place 

call Becky at SA on 01452 887180. 

December 7-9 

Optical Middle East - International Trade 

Show, Abu Dhabi. For more information 

visit www.opticalexhibition.com 

December 13 


Year Mock Practical Exams (old syllabus), 

sections 2, 3 and 4, £75 per section, 

London. For more information contact 

Sally Bates on 020 8504 0967 or email 


December 18 


Year (FQE) Mock Practical Exams (new 

syllabus) sections B and C, £75 per 

section, London. For more information 

contact Sally Bates on 020 8504 0967 or 

email identity@sallybates.com 

January 18 

Signet Armorlite - CET seminar ‘Kodak 

Lens Vision Centre Membership 

Programme’, delegates will also hear 

about the latest developments from 

participating companies, Mainline, 

Continental Eyewear and Sauflon, 

Mercure Dinkenhalgh Hotel & Spa, nr 

Blackburn. To book a place call Becky at 

SA on 01452 887180. 

January 21 

Optrafair 2011 - Prospective exhibitors are 

invited to the London launch, 11.15am, 

Birmingham W1, 76 Charlotte Street, 

London W1T 4QS. The show dates are 9- 

11 April. To secure a place at the launch 

telephone the FMO on 020 7298 5123 

May 11 

Second Sight - North East Eye Day 

Conference, £90, The Royal Station 

Hotel, Newcastle Upon Tyne. For further 

details and booking forms contact 

Caroline Boulby on 01325 365757 or 

07906 469766 or email 

nevis_boulby@msn.com 

May 16 

Area 3 (North West) - CET Sunday event 

‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’, 

exhibition and buffet, about £25 per 

delegate, the Thistle Hotel Haydock, St 

Helens, Merseyside. For more information 

email rs.morris@btopenworld.com ■ 

ABDO members are welcome to attend Area meetings in any area they wish 

dispensingoptics 

The Professional Journal of the Association 

of British Dispensing Opticians 

Volume 24 Number 11 of 12 

EDITORIAL STAFF 

Editor Sir Anthony Garrett CBE 

Assistant Editors Jane Burnand and Barbara 

Doris BSc 

Production Editor Sheila Hope 

Email shope@abdo.uk.com 

Features Editor Ann Johnson 

Email ajohnson@abdo.uk.com 

News Editor Nicky Collinson 

Email ncollinson@abdo.uk.com 

Administration Manager Deanne Gray 

Email dgray@abdo.uk.com 

ADVERTISEMENT SALES 

Telephone 01892 667626 

Email do@abdo.uk.com 

SUBSCRIPTIONS 

Apply to Tom Veti 

ABDO, Godmersham Park, Godmersham 

Kent CT4 7DT 

Telephone 01227 733922 

Email tomv@abdo.org.uk 

ABDO CET 

CET Coordinator Paula Stevens MA ODE BSc 

(Hons) MCOptom FBDO CL(Hons)AD SMC(Tech) 

ABDO CET, Courtyard Suite 6, Braxted Park, 

Great Braxted, Essex CM8 3GA 

Telephone 01621 890202 

Fax 01621 890203 

Email pstevens@abdocet.infoman.org.uk 

Email pstevens@abdo.org.uk 

CONTINUING EDUCATION REVIEW PANEL 

Jennifer Brower FBDO (Hons) LVA Cert Ed 

Andrew Cripps FBDO (Hons) 

Richard Harsant FBDO (Hons) CL (Hons) LVA 

Angela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom 

FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed 

Elvin Montlake FADO (Hons) CL LVA FFDO 

Linda Rapley BSc (Hons) FCOptom Cert Ed 

Alicia Thompson FBDO (Hons) SLD SMC(Tech) 

JOURNAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE 

Nick Atkins FBDO (Hons) CL 

Richard Crook FBDO 

David Goad FBDO (Hons) CL 

Kevin Gutsell FBDO 

Ros Kirk FBDO 

Angela McNamee BSc (Hons) MCOptom 

FBDO (Hons) CL FBCLA Cert Ed 

Gillian Twyning FBDO 

Dispensing Optics is published by 

ABDO, 199 Gloucester Terrace, London W2 6LD 

Dispensing Optics is printed by 

Lavenham Press, Lavenham, Suffolk CO10 9RN 

© ABDO No part of this publication may be 

reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted 

in any form or by any means whatever without the 

written prior permission of the publishers 

Dispensing Optics welcomes contributions for 

possible editorial publication. However, 

contributors warrant to the publishers that they 

own all rights to illustrations, artwork or 

photographs submitted and also to copy which 

is factually accurate and does not infringe any 

other party’s rights 

ISSN 0954 3201 

Average circulation 2008: 8654 per issue - ABDO 

Board certification 

www.abdo.org.uk

It is possible to take many - ABDO

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