BCLA

BCLA The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) is an educational and scientific membership orgnisation.

New Webinar: Could the eye reveal more about a patient’s wider health?Join Dr Emily Patterson and Dr Alistair Bounds for...
05/10/2026

New Webinar: Could the eye reveal more about a patient’s wider health?

Join Dr Emily Patterson and Dr Alistair Bounds for an introduction to anterior oculomics and explore how the structures you examine every day could provide clues to systemic health.

📅 Tuesday 3 November 2026

🕡 6.30–7.30pm (UK time)

💻 Online via Zoom

🎓 1 CPD point available

From the tear film, cornea, aqueous humour and lens to emerging technologies, this webinar will explore the evidence connecting anterior-eye findings with conditions including diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and Wilson’s disease.

What will you take away from this session?

- Understand which anterior-eye structures already have established, evidence-based links to systemic disease.

- Explore how optical technologies could bring oculomics into routine optometric and contact lens practice.

- Gain practical insight into anterior-eye signs that may support earlier referral and more informed patient conversations.

- Consider how low-burden screening approaches could help improve access to preventative care.

- From science to practical application

Dr Emily Patterson will explore the underlying biology and evidence already relevant to practice, including tear biomarkers in Parkinson’s disease and corneal signs of Wilson’s disease.

Dr Alistair Bounds will then look at how technology is translating this science into accessible measurement - from established corneal pachymetry to SD1, a device in development that aims to assess diabetes and pre-diabetes risk through measurements of the eye’s lens.

Discover where anterior oculomics stands today, where it could go next, and which future measurements could have the greatest relevance to your practice.

Register and join the conversation on the future of eye care: https://tinyurl.com/mvff3abx

There is still some time left to register for our webinar focusing on the early signs of presbyopia?Presbyopia is tradit...
02/10/2026

There is still some time left to register for our webinar focusing on the early signs of presbyopia?

Presbyopia is traditionally considered an inevitable age-related change that begins in the early-to-mid 40s. But with smartphones, tablets, laptops and multiple digital screens becoming part of everyday life, our near-vision demands have never been greater.

Could changing visual behaviours be exposing functional limitations in accommodation earlier than we expect?

Join us for an engaging sponsor-led webinar, delivered by EssilorLuxottica, exploring the functional impact of early-onset presbyopia and why recognising it earlier in the patient journey matters.

The session will take place on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 7:00–8:00pm

💻 Online via Zoom

🎓 1 CPD point available

🤗 Open to all

What will you take away from this webinar?

- The physiological and optical mechanisms of accommodation and how age-related changes contribute to presbyopia.

- The signs and symptoms of early-onset presbyopia, including the impact of modern digital lifestyles.

- A functional, patient-centred approach to identifying, assessing and managing presbyopia earlier.

- Practical insights to support earlier intervention, clearer patient communication and optimised visual outcomes.

Whether you're seeing patients with emerging near-vision symptoms or simply want to strengthen your understanding of accommodation and presbyopia, this session offers valuable clinical insights for an increasingly digital world.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/4udhux6b

Join us for our next sponsor-led webinar with CooperVision, exploring the multifactorial nature of contact lens discomfo...
23/09/2026

Join us for our next sponsor-led webinar with CooperVision, exploring the multifactorial nature of contact lens discomfort - including the often-overlooked impact of vision on perceived comfort and overall contact lens satisfaction.

📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026

🕖 7:00pm–8:00pm

💻 Via Zoom

🎓 1 CPD point

🎤 Speaker: Neema Ghorbani Mojarrad

Despite advances in contact lens design and materials, discomfort remains a challenge for both patients and clinicians.

This session will explore how visual factors can influence perceived physical discomfort and how considering vision as part of contact lens management may help support improved lens retention and long-term patient satisfaction.

In this session, you’ll explore:

- A more holistic approach to contact lens discomfort

- How vision can influence comfort and overall satisfaction

- Ciliary microfluctuations and their potential impact on visual comfort

- Why visual discomfort may sometimes be perceived or communicated as ocular discomfort

- How understanding and communicating visual factors may support patient retention

Open to all - Register today: https://tinyurl.com/pvtscszx

📢 Applications are open for BCLA Fellowship!As we celebrate 50 years of the BCLA, we're marking this milestone with an a...
17/09/2026

📢 Applications are open for BCLA Fellowship!

As we celebrate 50 years of the BCLA, we're marking this milestone with an ambitious goal: 50 new Fellows for 50 years.

BCLA Fellowship is one of the Association’s highest professional honours, recognising eye care professionals who have demonstrated advanced knowledge and made a significant contribution to contact lenses, anterior eye care, research, education, or the wider profession.

Successful applicants will be formally admitted as Fellows at the 2027 BCLA Clinical Conference & Exhibition in Birmingham (19–20 June 2027), during our 50th Anniversary Conference.

Join a global Fellowship community of more than 250 distinguished professionals and gain recognition for your expertise, innovation, and dedication to advancing eye care.

Think you meet the criteria? Now is the time to apply.

Learn more and apply before 4 December 2026: https://tinyurl.com/4sta44tt

👀 Are we missing the early signs of presbyopia?Presbyopia is traditionally considered an inevitable age-related change t...
14/09/2026

👀 Are we missing the early signs of presbyopia?

Presbyopia is traditionally considered an inevitable age-related change that begins in the early-to-mid 40s. But with smartphones, tablets, laptops and multiple digital screens becoming part of everyday life, our near-vision demands have never been greater.

Could changing visual behaviours be exposing functional limitations in accommodation earlier than we expect?

Join us for an engaging sponsor-led webinar, delivered by EssilorLuxottica, exploring the functional impact of early-onset presbyopia and why recognising it earlier in the patient journey matters.

The session will take place on Tuesday 13 October 2026 at 7:00–8:00pm

💻 Online via Zoom

🎓 1 CPD point available

What will you take away from this webinar?

- The physiological and optical mechanisms of accommodation and how age-related changes contribute to presbyopia.

- The signs and symptoms of early-onset presbyopia, including the impact of modern digital lifestyles.

- A functional, patient-centred approach to identifying, assessing and managing presbyopia earlier.

- Practical insights to support earlier intervention, clearer patient communication and optimised visual outcomes.

Whether you're seeing patients with emerging near-vision symptoms or simply want to strengthen your understanding of accommodation and presbyopia, this session offers valuable clinical insights for an increasingly digital world.

Registration is now open: https://tinyurl.com/4udhux6b

Sharing global expertise. Discovering the latest innovations. Bringing research into practice.In our latest episode, hos...
11/09/2026

Sharing global expertise. Discovering the latest innovations. Bringing research into practice.

In our latest episode, hosts Karin Brown-Balvert and Fakhruddin Barodawala are joined by Dr Debarun Dutta, who shares his key insights and learnings from the BCLA Asia and JCLS Meeting in Tokyo, Japan.

- Explore cutting-edge research

- Discover exciting new technologies

- Hear about key developments shaping clinical practice

- Learn from expert experience

- Take away practical clinical insights

From the latest advances to their potential impact on everyday patient care, Dr Dutta explores what these developments could mean for clinicians and how emerging innovations can be translated from research into practice.

🎧 Tune in to hear the conversation and discover the key takeaways from Tokyo.

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/bcla00/

11/09/2026

Calling all optometry students!! Are you making the most of your student journey?

Less than a week to go for our student based webinar.

Starting or progressing through an optometry degree can be exciting, challenging and sometimes overwhelming.

Join recent optometry graduate Sumeera Haider for a student-focused webinar packed with practical advice and real-world insights on:

- Strengthening your CV and preparing for interviews

- Making the most of opportunities during your degree and early career

- Balancing study, work and extracurricular commitments

- Managing stress and overcoming setbacks

- Preparing for CLiP and the transition into practice

Whether you're just starting your optometry degree or preparing for CLiP, come along for inspiration, practical tips and honest insights from someone who's recently been through the student journey.

Join us on Wednesday 16 September 2026 at 7:00pm

💻 Online via Zoom

Open to all - register here: https://tinyurl.com/483y9j7r

Nominations are open for the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture! This award recognises an outstanding postgraduate researcher ...
07/09/2026

Nominations are open for the Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture!


This award recognises an outstanding postgraduate researcher who has demonstrated excellence in clinical, basic or translational research in the field of contact lenses and/or the anterior eye.

Who can be nominated?

Researchers who:
- Completed a UK postgraduate degree (PhD, clinical doctorate, MSc, etc.) within the last five years

- Have continued their research in private practice, hospital practice or academia

The Irving Fatt Memorial Lecture will be presented at the BCLA Clinical Conference and Exhibition next year, celebrating excellence and continued contribution to the field.

Nominations close on 31 October 2026

Know an exceptional researcher who deserves recognition?

Nominate them today - https://tinyurl.com/ms2wn28r

Nominations are open for the BCLA Medal! The BCLA Medal is the Association's most prestigious award, recognising outstan...
04/09/2026

Nominations are open for the BCLA Medal!

The BCLA Medal is the Association's most prestigious award, recognising outstanding achievement in the field of contact lenses and/or the anterior eye.

This honour celebrates individuals who have made a significant contribution through:

• Research

• Clinical practice

• Innovation and invention

• Industrial work

• Advancing the understanding, appreciation or use of contact lenses and technologies relating to the anterior eye

The recipient will be presented with the BCLA Medal at the BCLA Clinical Conference & Exhibition 2027.

🗓️ Nomination deadline: 31 October 2026

Know someone whose work deserves recognition? Submit your nomination today and help celebrate excellence in our profession.

https://tinyurl.com/pwuavnbc



Less than a week to go - Have you registered our next webinar?Forever Young: Multifocal contact lenses – because adventu...
02/09/2026

Less than a week to go - Have you registered our next webinar?

Forever Young: Multifocal contact lenses – because adventures don't stop at 45

Join Samantha Watson. for this engaging sponsor-led webinar, delivered by CooperVision, and discover how multifocal contact lenses can help patients stay active, confident and visually free as they age.

📅 Tuesday, 8 September 2026

🕖 7.00pm – 8.00pm

💻 Online via Zoom

🎓 1 CPD point

Learn how to:

✅ Support presbyopic patients in maintaining active lifestyles

✅ Better understand the real-world impact of presbyopia

✅ Build confidence in fitting and recommending multifocal contact lenses

✅ Explore the latest research on patient decision-making

Whether you're looking to refine your clinical approach or gain practical fitting insights, this webinar offers valuable takeaways for everyday practice.

This sponsor-led webinar is delivered by CooperVision and is open to all.

Register today - https://lnkd.in/eNdzWnYW

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London

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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+442084347921

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