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New film Elio puts spotlight on patching

2025-06-23T11:27:39+01:00

Many children wearing a patch for amblyopia treatment will have been excited to see the central character in the new Disney Pixar movie, Elio, wearing a patch. While the reasons for Elio wearing a patch are a little different, many children wear an eye patch as treatment for an orthoptic condition called amblyopia, where vision in one eye is underdeveloped. As well as providing these children with a positive role model, this kind of visibility is a positive step in raising awareness of a real-life condition that affects up to 5% of children. We have recently launched our #WePatch campaign [...]

New film Elio puts spotlight on patching2025-06-23T11:27:39+01:00

BIOS launch Professional Development Framework

2025-06-19T05:43:29+01:00

As part of our launch event for the Orthoptic Workforce Development Programme, we officially launched our Professional Development Framework today. This framework has been designed to define the key professional topics relevant across all orthoptic roles and provide a shared language to support and guide development throughout a career in orthoptics. At its core, the framework introduces a set of common principles – including domains, levels of practice, and spheres of influence – to help members of the workforce map their current role, aspirations, and career pathway. Whether they’re a pre-registration learner, support worker, or an experienced clinician, educator, or [...]

BIOS launch Professional Development Framework2025-06-19T05:43:29+01:00

Launch of #WePatch campaign for World Orthoptic day

2025-06-02T08:21:55+01:00

Today, to coincide with World Orthoptic Day, we officially launched our #WePatch campaign to raise awareness of the importance of occlusion, through both patching and treatment with eye drops. The campaign offers support, resources and guidance for those supporting a child being treated with patching or eye drops. Occlusion therapy is an extremely effective treatment for amblyopia, the most common cause of reduced vision in young children. However, children can often find it quite challenging, as it involves covering their stronger eye, which significantly reduces their vision. As well as providing guidance and [...]

Launch of #WePatch campaign for World Orthoptic day2025-06-02T08:21:55+01:00

BIOS launch new video on Patching

2025-05-27T07:11:40+01:00

Our new video, launched in advance of World Orthoptic Day on 2nd June, highlights the importance of patching parties normalising occlusion treatments for children and bringing together the adults that support them. Filmed at a patching party at Sheffield Children's Hospital, the video features orthoptist Beth Dudley discussing the purpose of occlusion and providing simple tips for supporting children during treatment. She also discusses the importance of patching parties in creating communities of children and adults who can share tips and support each other. We also hear the experiences of the parents of Emily and Noah about [...]

BIOS launch new video on Patching2025-05-27T07:11:40+01:00

Fight for Sight and BIOS Small Research Grant Award

2025-05-14T16:07:03+01:00

We're delighted to announce our fourth Fight for Sight /BIOS co-funded Small Research Grant Award. The Award is up £15,000 over one year. This is a significant sum that could fund equipment, specific research training, research staff or time, or specialist services. It is designed as a stepping-stone to a research career in core orthoptic topics, or for small scale projects with potential for further development into larger applications to bodies such as the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The main criteria specify the successful applicant will be an orthoptist, with BIOS membership, leading or carrying out research in [...]

Fight for Sight and BIOS Small Research Grant Award2025-05-14T16:07:03+01:00

World Orthoptic Day 2025 Lang Stereotest Picture Challenge

2025-05-01T12:50:31+01:00

The International Orthoptic Association (IOA) have launched the 2025 World Orthoptic Day picture competition, this year sponsored by Lang Stereotest. World Orthoptic Day is Monday 2nd June 2025. This year's challenge is a picture competition. The theme is "From Upside to All Around: Orthoptists Changing Perspectives". So get creative and send in your photo, picture or collage to show how you change perspectives. Lang-Stereotest will be awarding a first and second prize. The first prize is the amazing new Lang-Stereopad, which uses a cylindrical gold surface that allows for glasses-free screening and threshold testing using preferential looking. The second prize [...]

World Orthoptic Day 2025 Lang Stereotest Picture Challenge2025-05-01T12:50:31+01:00

BIOS report makes case for orthoptists to be allowed to prescribe glasses

2025-04-11T14:34:04+01:00

We've published our review of evidence to support the legislative change to allow orthoptists to prescribe glasses in the hospital setting in accordance with the Opticians Act 1989. Hospital ophthalmology services are coping with the longest waiting times experienced in ophthalmology for a decade. A particular problem is that children are waiting too long for routine refraction (glasses test) appointments, so delaying further treatment. Limited changes to the legislation controlling the prescribing of spectacles to include orthoptists in this setting will be consistent with meeting the NHS workforce aims to offer care in the right place, [...]

BIOS report makes case for orthoptists to be allowed to prescribe glasses2025-04-11T14:34:04+01:00

BIOS Symposium 2025 – Abstract Submissions – Deadline Extended to 18th April

2025-04-04T08:13:20+01:00

We're now welcoming submissions for the BIOS Symposium, taking place on 20th June 2025 at The Studio in Birmingham. The focus of the symposium is clinical orthoptics, with delegates invited to discuss clinical evidence, changes to practice, and interesting cases and to participate in networking events. We therefore welcome your submissions of interesting cases, treatment or management dilemmas or surprises, clinical audits, or service reviews and pathway changes. We're also welcoming submissions from orthoptic students presenting a research study or review that they have recently undertaken, or are currently undertaking, as part of their degree course. The deadline for abstract [...]

BIOS Symposium 2025 – Abstract Submissions – Deadline Extended to 18th April2025-04-04T08:13:20+01:00

GreenerAHP Week

2025-03-26T12:11:03+01:00

The third annual Greener AHP week will take place from Monday 31st March to Friday 4th April. There is strong support from AHP staff to tackle the climate change crisis. The NHS is responsible for 5% of all UK emissions. Every aspect of healthcare delivery, from the production and disposal of equipment used, to the energy used in the settings we work in, to the travel for our patients and staff, contributes to carbon emissions. By addressing these areas, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and move towards a more sustainable healthcare system. AHPs must act now to reduce [...]

GreenerAHP Week2025-03-26T12:11:03+01:00

BIOS responds to the Government’s plans to abolish NHS England

2025-03-17T17:54:19+01:00

It is essential that the recently announced plan to abolish NHS England does not distract from the priority of achieving an expanded and skilled workforce within eye care and across the NHS. Alongside other health unions, we are concerned about the way the decision has been handled with a lack of clear communication with the staff affected. We would hope that however the government plans to manage the NHS without NHSE, this is done with a greater level of partnership with trade unions and professional bodies representing the workforce. Further, the NHS can only expand to meet the challenges it [...]

BIOS responds to the Government’s plans to abolish NHS England2025-03-17T17:54:19+01:00