British Association of Retinal Screening - BARS

19/06/2026

🚨 BARS Practical OCT Workshop – Bristol 2026 👁️✨

Tickets are now available for our next BARS Practical OCT Workshop, taking place in Bristol this September.

Whether you’re new to OCT or looking to build confidence in image acquisition and interpretation, this hands-on workshop is designed specifically for professionals working in diabetic eye screening.

📅 Friday 18th September 2026
⏰ 9:00am – 4:00pm
📍 Future Inns Bristol
Bond Street South, Bristol, BS1 3EN

The day will cover:

🔹 Best practice for OCT image acquisition
🔹 Interpretation of OCT scans in diabetic eye disease
🔹 Recognition of common non-DR abnormalities
🔹 Understanding clinically significant findings and referral pathways
🔹 Practical demonstrations and interactive case discussions
🔹 Networking with colleagues from screening programmes across the UK

🎤 Hosted by Mrs Samantha Mann and Miss Daniela Vaideanu-Collins

📄 NHS programmes and hospitals can be invoiced, and Purchase Orders (POs) are accepted.

🎟️ Book your place and find full event details here:
🌐 https://eyescreening.org.uk/conference

👥 Please share with colleagues, graders, screeners, photographers and ophthalmic teams who may be interested.

👁️✨

14/06/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Alison Simpson MBE 🎉

Everyone at BARS would like to congratulate Alison Simpson on being awarded an MBE for services to Ophthalmology.

This is a fantastic and thoroughly deserved recognition of Alison’s dedication to improving eye care and supporting patients over many years. Throughout her career she has made a significant contribution across a wide range of organisations and initiatives, including diabetic eye screening, the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Eyecare Scotland, the Scottish Ophthalmology Club, NHS services and the Scottish Government.

Many of us will know Alison for her passion, expertise and willingness to support others. Her contribution to ophthalmology has had a lasting impact on colleagues, services and patients alike.

On behalf of the BARS community, congratulations Alison on this wonderful achievement. We hope you’ve had the chance to celebrate with family, friends and colleagues.

👏 Please join us in congratulating Alison on this well-earned honour.

22/05/2026

The sun is shining and the bank holiday is almost here ☀️

But with the rising temperatures expected, it's important to remember that if you're living with diabetes, it can be harder to manage your blood glucose (sugar) levels in the hot weather.

➡️ Here's some things to keep in mind: https://orlo.uk/ynkoH

We wish you a very sunny and safe heatwave!

11/05/2026

🎉 Excitement is building for the BARS OCT Workshop Middlesbrough 2026 👁️✨

We’re delighted to have support from industry partners including:
🔹 TOPCON
🔹 Sense Medical
🔹 Frost Optical

This full-day workshop will bring together:
📚 Expert presentations
🔬 Practical hands-on OCT training
💬 Interactive case discussions
🤝 Networking with colleagues and industry

📅 Tuesday 8th September 2026
📍 David Kenward Lecture Theatre, STRIVE
Academic Centre, The James Cook University
Hospital, TS43BW

Whether you’re new to OCT or looking to build confidence in interpretation and image acquisition, this is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a supportive learning environment 🙌

🎟️ Spaces are limited!
👉 https://eyescreening.org.uk/conference

📌 Invoices can also be provided for NHS programmes/hospitals requiring a purchase order (PO) payment route.

Please share with colleagues and teams 📣

👁️ Frost Topcon GB Sense Medical Limited

27/04/2026

The Hollywood star shares the unseen struggles of preparing for this year’s London Marathon as a type 1 diabetic

24/04/2026

🎉 Bookings are NOW LIVE! 🎉

We’re excited to launch our BARS OCT Workshop – Middlesbrough 2026 👁️✨

📅 Tuesday 8th September 2026
📍 David Kenward Lecture Theatre, STRIVE
Academic Centre, The James Cook University
Hospital, TS43BW

Join us for a full day of:
🔬 Practical, hands-on OCT training
🎓 Expert-led sessions
💬 Case discussions & networking
🤝 Meet leading industry partners

Whether you’re a screener, grader, or clinician – this is a fantastic opportunity to build your OCT skills in a supportive, interactive setting 🙌

🎟️ Spaces are limited – don’t miss out!
👉 https://eyescreening.org.uk/conference

Please share with your colleagues and teams 📣

👁️

21/04/2026

The government has updated its guidance on using mobile phones in schools in England and there’s an important reminder in there about pupils with medical conditions.

While the guidance supports limiting phone use during the school day, some pupils need access, as vital tech like continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and hybrid closed loops (HCLs) are linked to phones.

The guidance also reinforces schools’ existing duties to:

• make reasonable adjustments for pupils to avoid discrimination
• put arrangements in place to support pupils with medical conditions

We’re also engaging with the government to make sure that the needs of pupils with diabetes aren’t overlooked. The bottom line is clear. Schools should continue supporting pupils with diabetes to use their phones for diabetes tech. Because ultimately, managing a medical condition safely should never be treated like breaking the rules.

Read more here 👉 https://orlo.uk/phones-in-school_6h57a

27/03/2026

✨ The new BARS Chronicle is out now! ✨

Volume 14 is packed with exciting updates, including:
👀 Meet our new Co-Chairs
🤖 A fairer way to test medical AI
📸 Why camera testing matters
📚 New OCT training courses coming soon

Plus, a big thank you to Charlotte for her fantastic leadership as Co-Chair and exciting news as she steps into her new role as Treasurer!

Don’t miss it! have a read and let us know what you think 💬

https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b4fd8ade-719e-410f-83b8-ec341fae58d0/The%20BARS%20Chronicle%20-%20Vol%2014.pdf

20/03/2026

16/03/2026