Clinical Hub launched for ABDO members

The Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) has launched a clinical hub for members which will bring together up to date research and current knowledge on a range of topics to allow dispensing opticians (DOs), low vision opticians and contact lens opticians (CLOs) to maintain and extend their knowledge and practice.

The hub, which can be found by visiting www.abdo.org.uk will be a constantly expanding resource. It launches with a focus on myopia management, along with a DO guide to eye diseases, plus a section on extended services. Plus, members can access useful resources such as a guide to acronyms used in eye care and eye wear, a glossary of terms, as well as links to ABDO’s clinical advice and guidelines, patient leaflets, and information to share with patients.

The hub has been developed by ABDO Clinical Lead Max Halford FBDO CL who says, “This hub is for you if you are looking for support on topics from children’s eye issues to supporting older people with their visual needs. It offers headline information followed by a deeper insight into each subject and is fully backed up by, and linked to, the research that is available. No matter what stage you are at in your career, we hope that the resources and links provided will prove useful to you. In each main section you will find an overview of the topic, as well as fuller articles, and resources to help you find out where to go next.

“We need to be sure that the patients we care for are fully informed and participate in decisions around their eye health and to do this we, as clinicians, need to ensure our knowledge and understanding is up to date and relevant. Dispensing opticians are part of a wider clinical multi-disciplinary team and we hope this new clinical hub will help them contribute as widely as possible in patients’ eye health decisions.”

The Clinical Hub will be developing over coming months. Topics planned for 2021 include healthy living optical practices (HLOP), contact lenses, low vision and dry eye. There are also further topics in the pipeline for 2022 and beyond.

Explore the Clinical Hub here: