We’ve rounded up some recent coverage of the College and members in national, regional and trade news media, 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.
In Touch, on BBC Radio 4, broadcast an item about the planned NHS Online Hospital, focusing on “how it might contribute to bringing down long waiting lists and tacking the so-called postcode lottery of care across England”. Pete Thomas, a consultant ophthalmologist and Director of Digital Development at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, took part in the discussion.
Ruth Darbyshire, Consultant Ophthalmologist at York District Hospital, was quoted in a BBC news story about someone being injured by a handheld laser device. Ruth is currently leading a BOSU study into retinal injuries from handheld laser devices: Incidence and epidemiology, which was referenced in the story. She told the reporter that such devices can cause “a range of different kinds of damage to the eye”.
Three College members contributed to an article in The Guardian sharing 13 ways to look after your eyes. College Vice-President Dilani Siriwardena, a consultant ophthalmologist at Moorfields, Meera Radia, a consultant ophthalmologist at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust and Zaria Ali, an ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye hospital, provided practical advice for the public on eyecare.
In an article published in The Guardian, Samantha Mann, a consultant ophthalmologist, commented on research findings published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, which found that patients taking Wegovy for weight loss had a fivefold greater chance of developing non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy than the diabetes drug Ozempic. The article also ran in other news media including Pharmacy Business, GB News and The Irish Times.
Clarity News, which reports on the latest insights on eye, ear and hearing care, reported on the College’s concerns that the Welsh Government’s response to the ophthalmology inquiry report does not reflect the urgency of the challenges in Wales. It includes a quote from College Llywydd Rhianon Reynolds.