Friday 11th December 2026 | Royal Lancaster London Hotel | London W2 2TY
Artificial Intelligence Award **NEW CATEGORY**
How good are you harnessing artificial intelligence and how is it shaping your business today? The use of AI in product design and manufacture is now widespread while AI has transformed the use of image-based diagnostic techniques. But AI is also transforming retail through the use of demand pricing, consumer analysis and client communication. In business AI tools can now optimize stock control and operational workflows and shape future strategies through market insight so how are you using it?
This Award will be made to an optical business, person or practice that has harnessed AI for the benefit of their patients, their business and the profession. The judges will want to hear how the entrant has adopted AI and see evidence of how it has been used and how it could change optics in the future.
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Contact Lens Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - Burnett Hodd and Tam Optometry
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Exciting, vibrant practices employing innovative ideas that enthuse and engage patients in contact lens wear are the focus of this award. Our panel of judges will be looking for evidence of the strategies involved in promoting contact lens wear to a wide range of patients. The panel will want to see how lens selection is made to maximise comfort and vision, strategies for reducing dropouts should also be explained. This award is looking for new approaches, new talent and, potentially, younger practices who are growing their contact lenses from a modest base. The winner may be operating in the independent or corporate sector.
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Dispensing Practice of the Year
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
How high profile is dispensing in your practice and who drives it? The winner of this award will be a practice that really values dispensing and the team that delivers it. Entries are welcome from practices of any type be they clinical or focused on frames and lenses.
The judges will want to see evidence of the practice’s expertise in eyewear styling, clinical excellence and lenses selection along with feedback from satisfied customers. Emphasis will be placed on everyday eyecare solutions, patient communication and all-round practice skills. The winner will live and breathe dispensing as an integral part of the practice and have demonstrable buy-in from the whole team. Whether your specialism is clinical, face-fit or fashion this is the category for you.
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Enhanced Optical Service Award
2025 Winner - Parley Optometrists
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
The optical profession plays a critical role as a primary care provider. The panel of judges in this category will be looking for a practice that is offering enhanced services and primary eye care in its community. This may be through schemes for those with diabetes, glaucoma and AMD or offering triage previously provided through GPs and the Hospital Eye Service. The judges will want to know how these schemes have emerged, be they through Clinical Commissioning Groups and the HES or with private providers. The panel will be looking for evidence of how services are delivered within the community, how practices have worked with patients and patient stories that exemplify delivery.
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Fashion Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - CBTR Opticians
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Fashion and eyewear are inextricably linked, and Optician wants to reward a practice that understands how that is translated into retail optics. The winning practice will understand the importance of colour, style and trends while demonstrating proactivity in sourcing product that makes the practice stand out. Our judges want to see the active encouragement of eyewear as a fashion accessory and the engagement of converts to eye fashion. The panel will be particularly interested in hearing from entrants how their practice is promoted and positioned within the community, how and where new brands are sourced and about links with other fashion-focused businesses.
Hearing Care Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - Buchanan Optometrists & Audiologists
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Hearing care services are increasingly combined with the delivery of optical services and Optician wants to hear from practices who are educating and informing their patients about hearing care in the optical environment. The judges will want to see how the practice is working to raise the issue of hearing and how patients are identified and engaged with hearing services.
Entries are welcome from Multiple and independent practices which offer hearing products and services or those who make patients aware of services available elsewhere. The winner of this award will be able to demonstrate the advantages of discussing hearing care with its patient base and the benefit it brings to the practice. The panel will also want to see how the wider practice team has embraced and communicated the necessary multidisciplinary working.
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Independent Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - Ransome Optical
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Independent retailing is the bedrock of UK optics and Optician is looking to reward the very best. Our panel of judges will be looking for an independent practice that offers real product choice, an outstanding customer experience and clinical excellence. This includes practices who are part of a group that allows product choices at practice level. The judges will want to see evidence of how the business has created its personality in its local area, links with other businesses and its profile within the community. The judges will be looking for evidence of service, individualised eyecare and a practice that adds something a little different to its competitors. The panel of judges will want to see the quality and diversity of optical products offered and positive feedback on that from the practice’s clients.
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Multiple Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - Specsavers Bicester
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Multiple practices come is all shapes and sizes and this award seeks to reward variety and excellence within a corporate setting. The panel of judges will want to see what makes the entrant’s practice appealing and its take on eye care and customer service. Entries should show how they both harnesses the power of a national brand while offering great eyecare and service to the local community. The judges will want to see evidence of the clinical and commercial success of the branch and the engagement and development of its staff.
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Optical Assistant Team of the Year
2025 Winner - Specsavers Morningside
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Front of house staff are the public face of any practice and that becomes more challenging as practices get bigger. In this category the judges will be looking for a large reception team that works as a unit to maintain a friendly feel to a practice delivering large scale eye care. Our panel will want to see how the team communicates to make each customer feel special and how new members of the team are integrated and developed. The judges will want to hear about initiatives to raise the practice’s profile in the community and what it does to maintain a team spirit and develop staff within the practice.
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Optical Supplier Award
2025 Winner - Mainline Optical Connections
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
If you are an optical supplier outside of lenses, frames, contact lenses or technology then this Award is for you. This Award will be won by an entrant delivering services such as, recruitment, software, finance, consumables, training, shop fittings or accessories. Our judging panel will be looking for evidence of how the provision of goods or services has helped boost businesses and differentiate practices. Entrants should demonstrate product innovation, excellent service and an understanding of their customers’ needs. This should be backed up by successful case studies and testimonials from satisfied customers.
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Optometrist of the Year
2025 Winner - Rebecca Troughton, Specsavers, Northallerton & Thirsk
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
This category is designed to reward an optometrist who uses their optometric skills to enhance the lives of patients, colleagues and the community. Entries should show excellence in clinical techniques, interaction with other practice staff and, most importantly, patients. The judges will also want to see how the optometrist has made an effort to further the eye care of their patients and enhance their practice’s reputation.
This category is for the practice-based optometrist who goes the extra mile for patients day after day and makes delivering eyecare in practice their focus. It may also be an optometrist who works hard to forward the profession and the adoption of new ideas.
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Patient Engagement Award **NEW CATEGORY**
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
This category will reward a practice, company or organisation that has run a campaign to change attitudes, educate and inform. The judging panel will be looking for evidence of a campaign that has achieved, clearly set out, objectives and measurably changed thinking on an issue. The panel will want to see clear targeting and evidence of how messages and ideas have been developed and implemented. The use of different types of media, be they face to face, print or web will be considered as will the innovation behind the ideas and creative treatments used. Whether your campaign has been to encourage healthy eating, sell a product or encourage people to come in for an eye examination this category is for you.
Technology Practice of the Year
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
This award seeks to reward a practice that can demonstrate an ability to use technology effectively both for the direct clinical needs of the patient and the efficient operation of the practice. The judges will be looking for evidence in detection of ocular conditions and the subsequent provision of excellent eye care. Entries should demonstrate the use of a range of technologies along with relevant links beyond the practice. This award seeks to reward a team offering innovative, effective and inclusive use of technology for the benefit of the patient and the promotion of the practice.
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The Contact Lens Award
2025 Winner - Bausch + Lomb ULTRA® Contact Lens Family
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Entries in this category are open to both companies and products in the field of contact lenses relevant to the market in the last 12 month. Entries may major on the supplier or a particular product. Factors taken into consideration for entries highlighting a product will be its significance to practice and its ability to grow the contact lens market.
The judges will be looking for evidence of the lens’s success in practice, the level of innovation the product employs and the way in which it has been presented to the market and supported. Entries highlighting the supplier should provide evidence of how the entrant exceeds customer expectations, engagement and effective in communication.
The Dry Eye Practice of the Year
2025 Winner - Pinder Eyecare
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Understanding dry eye is crucial to offering comprehensive eyecare and this Award will be presented to a practice that excels in meeting those patient needs. Our panel of judges will be looking for evidence of how dry eye has been embedded in the care the practice offers, and the mechanisms used to assess and treat the condition.
Evidence should be provided on the scope of dry eye types treated, the mechanisms used, and the breadth and accessibility of the products made available. The entry should emphasise the affordability, flexibility and useability of treatments offered to patients and how their efficacy is monitored and communicated.
The Frame Award
2025 Winner - Continental Eyewear Starfit
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
This category is open to frame suppliers and individual frame models significant to, and widely available in, British practices over the last 12 months. The panel of judges is looking for an entry that shows broad appeal and significance to UK optical practices. Entries may highlight a supplier or a significant piece it has placed on the market in the last year.
For a frame it may be its style, value to the wearer or technical excellence. If the entry is for a supplier the judges will be looking for strength of relationship between supplier and customer, how the entrant exceeds customer expectations and effective communication.
The Lens Award
2025 Winner - Rodenstock (UK)
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Entries in this category are open to products and suppliers in the field of lenses, surfacing and treatments relevant to the market during the last year.
Entries on our shortlist may lead on the service offered by an organisation or showcase a particular product. Our shortlist will include lens products or companies our judges feel have given patients and practitioners added value. Emphasis will be placed on innovation, communication to the market and the wow factor. Entries highlighting the supplier should demonstrate the strength of relationship between supplier and customer, how the entrant exceeds customer expectations and excellence in communication.
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The Myopia Management Award
2025 Winner - Hammond and Dummer Opticians
UK AND IRELAND ENTRIES ONLY
Managing childhood myopia is the most exciting development in optometry for many years. This award seeks to recognise a practice that has enabled its patients to fully enjoy the benefits of the licensed products now on offer. The judges will be looking for evidence of proactivity in communicating myopia management to their patients and parents, the success rates for take up and the techniques employed. Entrants should provide a brief story of their journey into myopia management and offer techniques and tips for successful fitting and continuation of wear.
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