Author: Jason Searle
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The Open Skill-Centre: Changes for 2026!
As we approach the start of a new year, I have been doing a lot of reflecting on what it means to be an eye care professional in 2026. For the past several years, The Eye Care Advocate has been a place for clinical resources and skill-sharing. But as I’ve navigated my own journey as…
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The Secret is Out: Building a Supportive Optometry Community
I know I have been unusually quiet on the blog lately, but I promise there is a very good reason for my silence. For the past few months, I have been working frantically behind the scenes to build something truly special. I wanted to create a space that goes beyond simple blog posts or static…
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Accessible Information: Understanding the Standard and Why It Matters
We welcome Daniel Morgan-Williams from Visualise Training and Consultancy, this time sharing why it is important to include accessible information in every patient interaction. I will leave this for Dan to explain more. Understanding the Standard: Why Accessible Information Matters in Every Patient Interaction Have you’ve ever handed a patient a leaflet they couldn’t read?…
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Duty of Candour: Your Professional Guide to Honesty and Trust
As healthcare professionals, we hold one duty to be sacred. This is the duty of candour. But what does this phrase actually mean? It is not just a buzzword. It is the absolute core of our patient-practitioner relationship and is the foundation of trust. I have written this guide to explain exactly what the duty…
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Visual Impairment Awareness Training & the NHS Long Term Plan
Today, I am thrilled to welcome Daniel Morgan-Williams, from Visualise Training and Consultancy, back to The Eye Care Advocate for another important guest article. This article looks at how visual impairment awareness training can help support the NHS Long Term Plan. I will now hand over to Dan to show how his consultancy can aid you…
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Patient Confidentiality: The “Jigsaw” Risk You Need to Know About
Maintaining patient confidentiality is the most sacred, non-negotiable duty we have as healthcare professionals. It is the bedrock of the trust our patients place in us. In the digital age, however, this duty faces a new and insidious threat. We have all felt the urge: you see a fascinating, “textbook” case in your clinic and…
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Dry Eye Beyond the Bottle: Introducing IPL for Dry Eye
This post on Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL) was written in collaboration with (and not sponsored by) Mainline Instruments. IPL for dry eye treatment is an emerging topic that both Mainline Instruments and myself would like to highlight to readers of The Eye Care Advocate. This is to ensure you are aware of further treatment…
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Contact Lenses for Halloween Costumes: What You Need to Know
Halloween contact lenses enhance costumes but pose serious risks, such as infections, allergic reactions, and vision issues, if not used properly and with a prescription.
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Low Vision Aids: Why Ignoring Them is a Blind Spot in Your Practice
Today, I am thrilled to welcome Daniel Morgan-Williams back to The Eye Care Advocate for another hard-hitting and essential article. Dan is a powerful advocate for people with visual impairments, and today he is turning his attention to a common myth within our own profession: the idea that low vision aids and services aren’t profitable.…
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Newly Qualified Optometrist? The Advice I Needed on Day One
The moment a newly qualified optometrist walks into their first solo clinic is unforgettable. I remember my moment vividly. It was a potent mix of pride, excitement, and a healthy dose of sheer terror. The safety net of your supervisor is gone. Suddenly, every clinical decision rests squarely on your shoulders. I recall being plagued…