Press Release

Course offers support for upcoming contact lens exams and a refresher in lens fitting skills

Trainee contact lens opticians and pre-registration optometrists can brush up on their fitting skills with a dedicated one-day course being held by the BCLA.

The event, to be held on Sunday, December 3 at the School of Life & Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham is aimed at boosting the confidence of trainees and pre-reg optometrists in a range of vital contact lens skills.

The day will start with Neil Retallic leading two sessions entitled ‘Contact Lens Consultation – Communication and Considerations’ and ‘Approach for Effective Contact Lens Fitting’.

Further sessions will be led by Caroline Christie, Josie Barlow and Andy Smith, followed by hands-on workshops and tutorials.
 
Cheryl Donnelly, chief executive of the BCLA, said: “The course will provide a unique opportunity to increase confidence in RGP, multifocal and toric lens fitting skills, plus offering an introduction to managing Dry Eye.

“It will combine the necessary theory on these topics, as well as providing hands-on experience for fitting lenses in practice.  

“Our objective is to support students prior to their assessments and exams, as well as an opportunity to promote contact lenses as a viable and commercial opportunity in real world practice. 

“This is a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of RGP lenses and fitting and an even greater opportunity for a number of RGP companies to play a proactive part. The introduction of product specific sessions for toric and multifocal soft lens fitting proved very popular last year so we want to build on this for 2017.”

All those attending will have the chance to meet suppliers to ensure they know what to fit and when from the range of lenses available.

The event, which is being sponsored by Alcon, CooperVision, Mark’ennovy, Menicon and Thea Pharmaceuticals, will run from 9am to 5pm.
 
The course is free to BCLA members, pre-reg and student membership is free of charge.

Eye care practitioners, including those who are returning to the profession after a break, can register their interest online at www.bcla.org.uk


Notes to editors
• For interviews, call Daniel Owens from Orange Juice Communications on 07909 916668 or email [email protected]