News & Views

Read highlights of some of the advocacy and influencing successes we’ve achieved on your behalf in the first quarter of 2026.

Following representations from the College over many years, we are pleased that NHS England has listened and made a significant change that will incentivise NHS trusts to better prioritise more complex ophthalmology care. From tomorrow (1 April), changes to the NHS Payment Scheme (which determines what providers are paid in England for delivering different NHS ophthalmology services and treatments) will see prices paid to cataract services providers cut by 20%.

Congratulations to Abdulmalik Alsaif, Tafadzwa Young-Zvandasara and Blanca Sanz-Magallon, recipients of the 2025/26 Zakarian Award, which we deliver in partnership with Fight for Sight. 

We have re-evaluated this Outlier Policy as it relates to surgeons’ Posterior Capsule Rupture (PCR) rates to make it a more practical and useful tool for supporting safe delivery of care and driving quality improvement.

We’ve rounded up some recent coverage of the College and members in national, regional and trade news media, on television, on the radio and in print. Thanks to everyone who contributed time and expertise, helping us to raise awareness about critical eye health issues and advocate for positive patient outcomes.

The College is expressing concerns that the Welsh Government’s response to the report following its inquiry into ophthalmology services does not reflect the urgency of the challenges facing ophthalmology services in Wales.

Academic research is essential to delivering high-quality, equitable eye care. It underpins clinical excellence, drives innovation, and helps ensure ophthalmology continues to meet the needs of patients and the NHS. Research is a core part of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ work and purpose.

Congratulations to Dr Priyanka Sharma, who has been awarded the Chandra Award for 2025.

Eighteen months on from the introduction of a new ophthalmology specialist training (OST) curriculum the College is consulting on some proposed improvements to ensure that we continue to promote the highest possible standards for the training of resident doctors.

We have agreed a new pilot collaboration with the Cochrane Eyes and Vision US Project (CEV@US), aimed at strengthening the evidence base that underpins our guidelines. This pilot will begin with the guidelines on Infection Keratitis.