Summary
A day of learning and networking for optometry professionals across Greater Manchester.
Over 50 optometry colleagues came together for the event, which took place at the Worsley Park Country Club Hotel in Manchester, on Sunday, 17 May, 2026.
Delegates were able to attend five expert-led Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions focusing on the key topics of emergency eye-care and glaucoma.
The aim of the event was to support independent prescribing optometrists, and those with a professional certificate in glaucoma, to enhance their learning and skills, supporting the shift from hospital to community, one of the three big shifts laid out in the NHS 10-Year Health Plan.
Niall Patton, consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon, opened session one, followed by Alex Howard from Manchester University who led a glaucoma case discussion workshop.
A further session on emergency eye-care by Felipe Dhawahir-Scala, consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon, took place before delegates broke for networking and lunch.
After lunch, Freddie Webster, specialist optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH), led a discussion workshop on visual fields, followed by the final CPD session of the day from Helen Wilson, lead optometrist at MREH, on department case presentations and peer review.
Delegates who attended all five sessions gained a total of 11 CPD points.
Representatives from Primary Eyecare Services and SeeAbility were also there to chat to delegates about the work they do to support optometry and patients.
The event was organised by the Optometry Excellence Programme which is funded by Greater Manchester Optometry Provider Board (OPB), a sub-board of Greater Manchester Primary Care Provider Board (GMPCB).
