Industry partners on board for BCLA’s landmark astigmatism guidance

Industry partners on board for BCLA’s landmark astigmatism guidance

The British Contact Lens Association has announced that Alcon, CooperVision, EssilorLuxottica and Johnson & Johnson have provided grant funding to support the forthcoming BCLA CLEAR™ Astigmatism initiative, a major global project that will deliver evidence-based guidance on all aspects of astigmatism and its management.

This support from industry partners will enable the development of a comprehensive suite of peer-reviewed papers and practical resources designed to inform clinical practice, support future research and ultimately improve patient care worldwide.

Scheduled for publication in the first quarter of 2027, BCLA CLEAR™ Astigmatism will bring together leading international experts to develop a global consensus on the latest evidence surrounding astigmatism.

The project follows the success of the inaugural BCLA CLEAR™ publication on contact lenses and the subsequent presbyopia-focused edition, both of which have become highly regarded reference resources for eye care professionals around the world.

Published in the BCLA’s official journal, Contact Lens and Anterior Eye (CLAE), the new issue will provide a definitive review of current knowledge and clinical best practice in the field of astigmatism. The initiative aims to support practitioners by identifying what is supported by evidence, highlight knowledge gaps for researchers, and help guide future innovation across the optical industry.

BCLA chief executive Brad Parkes said: “BCLA CLEAR™ Astigmatism represents an important step forward in improving our understanding of astigmatism and its management. By bringing together world-leading experts and the latest scientific evidence, we will create a valuable resource for eye care professionals, researchers and industry alike, helping to support the highest standards of patient care globally.”

BCLA CLEAR™ Astigmatism will comprise six comprehensive overview papers, each developed by expert panels chaired by internationally recognised leaders in their respective fields. The topics will include:

• Diagnosis and classification
• Ocular anatomy, optics and epidemiology of astigmatism
• Evaluation and diagnosis of astigmatism
• Correction of astigmatism with contact lenses and spectacles
• Surgical correction of astigmatism – lens and corneal options
• Irregular astigmatism

The publication is expected to become the benchmark reference for astigmatism, setting a new standard for evidence-based guidance and helping shape the future direction of research and clinical care.

Further details on the expert panels and publication programme will be announced in due course.

For more information about the BCLA and the BCLA CLEAR™ initiative, visit www.bcla.org.uk