Category: Member News

A team of neuroscientists, based at the University of Oxford, running the KOALA study, investigating the brain’s involvement in amblyopia and occlusion therapy during childhood, is seeking amblyopic patients and controls with normal vision.

A leaflet with further information for sharing with patients and their carers can be downloaded here.

They are currently recruiting 5-8 year old amblyopic patients and controls with normal vision to take part in this research. They have until 1st March 2027 to recruit the remaining 31 amblyopic patients and 22 participants with normal vision.

It is an MRI brain imaging study which is investigating (1) differences in the brain between children who have amblyopia and those who have normal vision and (2) how amblyopic children’s brains change with their occlusion therapy. They hope this research will lead to better understanding of amblyopia, brain plasticity, and ultimately better treatment for individuals for whom occlusion therapy does not treat their amblyopia.

KOALA study recruitment to date

To date, 4 amblyopic patients and 13 participants with normal vision have taken part in this study. They are working with NHS Orthoptists at KOALA study sites/ PICs across Oxford University Hospitals, Moorfields, and Buckinghamshire NHS trusts.

What taking part in the KOALA study involves for participants

5-8 year old participants have two study visits in Oxford. Amblyopic patients’ first study visit takes place at the start of their occlusion therapy, and the second study visit takes place after 6 months of their occlusion therapy. Each study visit involves an MRI scan and vision tests. Amblyopic patients have their standard NHS treatment and controls have no intervention.

Before data collection, extensive consideration was given to make all aspects of the study child-friendly, including the MRI scan and vision tests. Participants frequently feedback how much they enjoy taking part and how much they look forward to returning to Oxford for their second MRI scan.

I would like to invite you to take part in a study about line managers supporting employees with common mental disorders (CMDs), such as stress, anxiety, or depression, in returning to work within the health and social care sector. The study will form my research project for my Occupational Psychology Master’s degree with the University of Nottingham.

This study aims to explore the approaches used by line managers to support employees return to work after being absent due to CMDs, such as stress, anxiety, or depression. The study will also explore whether the line managers’ personal experience, as well as the support they receive from their organisation, affect how they help employees during this process.

By sharing your experience, you will be helping our research understand how line managers in the health and social care sector could best implement return-to-work support and identify ways organisations can better support line managers in this process.

Participation in the study is entirely voluntary and if you decide to take part, we will arrange a one-to-one interview with me lasting approximately an hour. The interview will be conducted online via Microsoft Teams. The online interview will be recorded but all data collected will be anonymised and nobody within the British and Irish Orthoptic Society will be informed of your participation.

If you might be interested, please email me in confidence at the address below and I will send you more information about the study. Following this, we can arrange a mutually convenient time for the online interview. Please be aware that replying does not commit you to participating and you are free to withdraw at any time.

Thank you in advance for your support; it is greatly appreciated.

Kind regards,
Tan Cher Ling
mzxct6@nottingham.ac.uk

Download recruitment poster

The Orthoptics apprenticeship funding offer for 2026-27 is now live.

NHS England is pleased to announce a training support fund, available nationally to employers, to help grow the Orthoptic workforce, for the following apprenticeship programme in 2026/27:

• Level 6 Orthoptist Degree Apprenticeship – £8,300 (per apprentice, per year for the duration of the apprenticeship)

To apply for this funding, please complete the request for funding form here: Expression of Interest: Funding for National Orthoptic Apprenticeships (2026-2027)

Full guidance on the funding is available here.

Please note that neither employers nor NHS England are making a commitment at this stage. Employers should wait for confirmation from NHS England about which training posts will receive funding before enrolling candidates on the programmes.

Please read the attached funding guidance in full before completing the funding request form.

This Expression of Interest will open on the 27 April and close at Midnight on May 29, 2026.

Please note: Enrolment onto the apprenticeship programme closes on May 29, 2026. Please contact ahpnm-apprenticeships@sheffield.ac.uk to ensure that your apprentice/s are enrolled onto the course.

Hosted by NHS Charities, Reimagining Health is a national campaign aiming to reimagine the future of professional health education. They’re looking for passionate student leaders to represent their universities, dedicated to embracing prevention and health creation.

Find out more

A unique integration of Vision Care, and a natural environment, alongside a good dose of soft play.

In November and March, Royal Cornwall NHS Trust had the opportunity to deliver an Orthoptic outreach clinic within the grounds of Paradise Park Wildlife Sanctuary, an initiative designed to explore alternative clinical environments that promote patient comfort and enhance community access to eye care.

The site offered large, bright, quiet rooms for clinical assessments. Our ‘waiting area’ was a large challenging soft play space with giant slides, climb ropes, squeeze rollers and roller poles as well as a toddlers’ zone with ball fountain. Our balcony and windows overlooked the gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary, providing a relaxed backdrop.

Families also had access to ENT, Dental services, family help services, including stop smoking and alcohol support, healthy eating etc

Families reported the setting felt less clinical. One anxious child declared he was ‘ready [for ENT] now’ after a few minutes of soft play.

The day demonstrated that Orthoptic care can be effectively delivered in non-traditional environments when supported by thoughtful planning. Our portable Orthoptics equipment such as prism bars, fixation targets, vision books or tablets allow us to maintain high clinical standards despite working off site.

Both clinics ran smoothly. We hope to repeat the initiative, would encourage other Orthoptic departments to consider collaboration with local community spaces, nature centres or wellbeing organisations. It proved to be both clinically productive and deeply rewarding for the patients and clinicians alike.

Find hints and tips on how to host your own patching party.