Association of Optometrists

Association of Optometrists The leading UK membership organisation for optometrists; we protect, support and represent members with a range of services and benefits.

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the voice of the optical profession, representing over 80% of practising optometrists. We work for our student and qualified members; promoting the profession, protecting current and future qualified professionals, and championing eye health across the UK. The impact optometrists make on eye health every day is profound; caring for the UK’s vision, and detecting health conditions and disease at preventative stage. We provide educational resources for members whatever their career path, and shape the future of eye care for patients with our policy and external affairs work.

In his new article for Progress, Chief Executive, Adam Sampson, sets out how long-standing assumptions about where care ...
24/09/2026

In his new article for Progress, Chief Executive, Adam Sampson, sets out how long-standing assumptions about where care should take place continue to hinder the shift towards safe, effective and convenient community‑based provision delivered in primary care.

He emphasises that while hospitals deliver exceptional acute care, many services can now be provided closer to home, easing pressure on the healthcare system and better meeting people’s needs. To build an NHS that is fit for the future, radical change must be embraced, with more care moved out of hospitals and into the community.

We’ll be exploring these themes further at our fringe event ‘Health outside Hospital’ in Liverpool next week, where we are bringing together political and healthcare voices to discuss what is needed to realise the Government’s ambition for more community‑based care and crucially, a revitalised NHS.

Read more: https://ow.ly/4MVi50ZR1oa

Locum practice never stands still — is your CPD keeping pace?Locum Day 2026 brings you four interactive webinars built s...
23/09/2026

Locum practice never stands still — is your CPD keeping pace?

Locum Day 2026 brings you four interactive webinars built specifically for locum eye care professionals, unpacking the clinical scenarios you navigate on the move.

Covering medical retina essentials, first fit success with soft multifocal contact lenses, modern cataract and refractive surgery, and the everyday dilemmas locums face in practice, with practical insights you can apply straight away.

⏰ Sun 1 Nov | 9.30am - 2.30pm
💻 Online
💡 4 interactive CPD points across the full series

In partnership with Optometry Today.

Join the full series or pick what suits you. https://www.aop.org.uk/events-and-education/events/2026/11/01/locum-day-2026

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on Monday 28 September,...
22/09/2026

We are pleased to announce that we will be hosting a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference on Monday 28 September, bringing together leaders from emergency medicine, public health, local government and community care to discuss how expanding neighbourhood‑led healthcare can help revitalise the NHS.

The event will explore how better resourced community pathways can support Labour’s ambitions for a prevention‑focused NHS and ensure patients receive timely care closer to home.

Through this event, we will be ensuring that eye care continues to be visible within political debate and that optometry is recognised as a vital part of Labour’s neighbourhood health plans.

Learn more: https://ow.ly/Pico50ZQeiV

It’s been a valuable few days at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference, with plenty of opportunities to discuss how hea...
22/09/2026

It’s been a valuable few days at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference, with plenty of opportunities to discuss how healthcare services can better meet the needs of patients.

Over the four days we championed eye care services to ensure optometry has a voice in national discussions about the NHS and how people can receive the care they need closer to home.

Across the programme, we heard consistent recognition of the need to shift more care into the community and make better use of local services, ensuring patients can access timely care backed by national leadership and investment.

We’ll carry these insights forward as we continue our engagement across the autumn conferences.

More updates to come as we head to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference this weekend.

A final reminder – our webinar on contrast management for myopia control is happening tomorrow evening. Join us to take ...
21/09/2026

A final reminder – our webinar on contrast management for myopia control is happening tomorrow evening.

Join us to take a closer look at the science behind contrast modulation, the latest clinical evidence and what this emerging approach could mean for myopia management in practice.

You’ll also hear practical tips on introducing contrast management spectacle lenses, including how to talk to parents and manage expectations.

With leading myopia researcher Professor James Wolffsohn and optometrist and myopia control specialist David Webley.

📅 Tomorrow, 22 September
🕖 7–8pm
💻 Online
💡 1 interactive CPD point

Book your place today: https://ow.ly/ELTn50ZPFpW

21/09/2026

We’re pleased to see today’s policy motion on primary care pass at the Liberal Democrats Party Conference. The motion recognises the crucial role of primary care in preventing illness, supporting early intervention and reducing the demand on hospitals.

We’re particularly encouraged to see proposals that would improve community‑led provision and support neighbourhood services to work more effectively together. The commitments to expand community care, including support for optometry to provide glaucoma monitoring, cataract pathways and urgent minor eye care, reflect the growing recognition of the contribution optometry can make to a more sustainable NHS.

Our External Affairs Officer, Chris Whiting, reflects on the value of continuing these conversations and the role community optometry can play in building a more preventive and accessible healthcare system.

We attended the 'Who and what are the Liberal Democrats for?' session at the Party Conference, where More in Common’s UK...
21/09/2026

We attended the 'Who and what are the Liberal Democrats for?' session at the Party Conference, where More in Common’s UK Director, Luke Tryl, shared insights from recent public opinion research. He highlighted that health issues remain a critical concern for voters, cutting across demographics and political segments.

The discussion explored how voters view the party’s purpose, what they want from political leadership, and how public attitudes are shifting in response to pressures on essential services.

It reinforces the importance of primary care − including community optometry, in delivering timely support closer to home. With people relying on community services for essential eye care, voter concern about the NHS speaks to the need for sustainable pathways and better use of community services that reduce pressure on GPs and hospitals.

We’ve arrived in Brighton for the Liberal Democrats Party Conference this weekend, where we will be engaging with parlia...
19/09/2026

We’ve arrived in Brighton for the Liberal Democrats Party Conference this weekend, where we will be engaging with parliamentarians and sector partners on the role of optometry in delivering accessible, community‑led eye care.

Throughout the autumn conference season, we are highlighting how optometrists can help reduce pressure on the NHS, improve patient outcomes and ensure people receive timely care closer to home.

As a politically neutral organisation, we attend all major party conferences to ensure the voice of optometry is represented across the political spectrum.

If you’re attending the conference, we’d be pleased to see you while we’re here. Stay tuned for updates.

15/09/2026

Our Roadshow series drew to a close in Belfast last night, and we want to thank every member who joined us across the nation to share their experiences, ideas and ambitions for community optometry.

Over the past few months, we have heard reflections on the realities of delivering care in practice, the pressures facing the profession, and the opportunities ahead to improve patient access and raise the profile of community eye care.

To mark the end of the series, we have captured key takeaways from attendees. Their voices highlight the value of coming together, learning from one another and speaking up for the profession.

Watch for more.

Our survey closes in less than 24 hours.This is the final opportunity to share your perspective on something that could ...
14/09/2026

Our survey closes in less than 24 hours.

This is the final opportunity to share your perspective on something that could shape how sight tests are delivered for years to come – the GOC’s proposals to update its 2013 testing of sight statement.

We’re seeking views from across the profession to help inform our response. The survey is open to AOP members and non-members, with questions tailored to different roles across optometry.

Have your say before it closes tomorrow, Tuesday 15 September.

Take the survey 👉 https://ow.ly/3QEW50ZNrEM

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2 Woodbridge Street
London
EC1R0DG

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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020 7549 2000

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