EyePod: The optometry podcast

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Marsha de Cordova, Labour MP for Battersea, and Shockat Adam, Independent MP for Leicester South, about their work in Westminster advocating for eye care professionals in England. They discuss their connections to eye health, the current challenges facing the sector, and what College members can do to help champion the profession.

College Clinical Advisor Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Louise Gow, Head of Eye Health, Optometry and Low Vision, and Preeti Singla, Optometry and Low Vision Engagement Manager, both at the RNIB. They discuss their work developing the Adult Low Vision Service Quality Framework , which was created to define best practice for low vision services in any setting across the UK.

At the end of another busy year for the College, Clinical Advisers Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss the main highlights from this year and what we can expect going into 2026. Further information #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from January to March 2025 #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from April to June 2025 #TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievement...

College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom, Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss the recent news from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approving the first low-dose atropine treatment for myopia in the UK.  They talk about what the news means for optometrists and answer questions from College members.  Further information My...

Four optometry students at different stages of their optometry journey share insights about their experience so far. They talk about why they chose optometry, how they've found their courses so far and share advice and tips for succeeding and getting the most out of your time at university. Further information Student resources A career in optometry Sign up for College student membership

Starting your journey in optometry can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. In this episode, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Sam Strong, Lecturer of Vision Science at Aston University, about how optometry students can make the most of their time at university. They discuss tips and advice for navigating coursework and clinical training, the importance of asking questio...

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Nazaradden Ibrahim, Global Technical Lead for Eye Health in the West Africa Region for the charity Sightsavers. They discuss the work of Sightsavers, including how they operate in different countries, the challenges they face, and the role that optometrists and other health workers have in their work. Sightsavers

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Dr Jasleen Jolly DPhil MSc FCOptom, Optometrist and Associate Professor in Vision Science, about her research into the psychology of sight loss. They discuss topics including how best to communicate with and support patients with sight loss, as well as the impact it can have on their careers, hobbies, and overall wellbeing. Further information...

To mark the 100th anniversary of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), four past editors — Neil Charman, Bernard Gilmartin, Christine Dickinson, and David Elliott — along with the current editor, Mark Rosenfield, sat down for a special podcast to reflect on their experiences as editors. OPO is the research journal of The College of Optometrists. It is read and cited around the world, and help...

To mark the 100th anniversary of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), four past editors — Neil Charman, Bernard Gilmartin, Christine Dickinson, and David Elliott — along with the current editor, Mark Rosenfield, sat down for a special podcast to reflect on their experiences as editors. OPO is the research journal of The College of Optometrists. It is read and cited around the world, and help...

College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon   MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney MBE FCOptom talk to Simon Berry MCOptom, an optometrist who owns and runs his own practice which specialises in working with people with autism and learning disabilities. They discuss accessibility for autistic people in eye care including the importance of acclimatisation visits, what adjustments you can make in practic...

College Library and Information Services Manager, Marlene Blackstock, talks to College Vice President Professor Irene Ctori PFHEA FCOptom PhD PGDip MSc BSc(Hons) about her research on “The Impact of OCT in Optometric Practice".

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to College President Dr Gillian Rudduck PhD MCOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc and Vice President Professor Irene Ctori PFHEA FCOptom PhD PGDip MSc BSc(Hons) about their journeys to their positions of leadership within the College. They discuss what inspired each of their journeys, the barriers they encountered along the way, as well as sharing...

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom speaks to Rebekah Stevens, Lead Assessor at the College, about what true equity should mean for women. They discuss the gender pay gap, work-life balance, and what advice they have to women trying to have a career while also supporting their family.

College Clinical Adviser   Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Fiona Jazayeri, Consultant Ophthalmologist at Buckinghamshire Health Trust, about the external eye. They cover areas including how to conduct an external eye examination, what to look out for when examining a patient, and best practice for referring patients into the hospital eye service. Further resources: College Clinical Management Guideli...

As we come towards the end of another busy year College Clinical Advisers Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom, Denise Voon MCOptom, and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE discuss their individual highlights from the year and what we can expect going forward into 2025. Further information: Clinical management guidelines (CMGs) Clinical files Headlight glare campaign

For International Brain Tumour Awareness Week, College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Nicola Nuttall, who tragically lost her daughter Laura to a rare form of brain cancer when she was just 23. Denise and Nicola talk about how Laura was diagnosed after a routine eye examination and the incredible campaigning and bucket list goals she achieved in her life. Denise also speaks to Lorca...

As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE provide advice on lifestyle changes to help keep your eyes healthy.

As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom explain how you can save money on your eye care.

As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE answer questions about children and teens eye health, as well as those over 60.

As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom explain the role of an optometrist.

As part of National Eye Health Week, our College Clinical Advisers answer some of the most common questions about eye health from patients. In this episode, Denise Voon MCOptom and Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE explain what a sight test is and why having regular sight tests is so important.

At the start of National Eye Health Week College Clinical Advisers Denise Voon MCOptom, Daniel Hardiman-McCartney FCOptom MBE, and Dr Paramdeep Bilkhu MCOptom discuss effective ways to reinforce the importance of regular sight tests.

College Clinical Adviser Denise Voon MCOptom and Mike Horler, Consultant Optometrist at Sussex Eye Hospital and College Assessor and Council member, answer your questions about age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Among the topics discussed were the treatment options for AMD including the role of supplements, photobiomodulation, and Syfovre. Further information: College AMD clinical topic page...

College Clinical Adviser and Optometric Adviser to the GOC Denise Voon MCOptom talks to Kayleigh Allen, Head of Fitness to Practise Legal; Roma Malik, Optometric Adviser at the GOC; Sue Blakeney, Registrant Case Examiner for the GOC; and Bobby Fida, Optometrist and member of the GOC's Hearing Panel about the role of the GOC. Using a fictitious case, they discuss the fitness to practise process...