CooperVision’s Brad Rogers examines the significance of contact lens awareness amongst students
At the end of November 2013 we attended the Student AOP Eye Opener Conference at Center Parcs, Longleat, whereby we looked to engage with attendees at several touch-points throughout the weekend.
Our exhibition stand provided an information hub for all of CooperVision’s products and services, including more details on the upcoming 2014 Student Scholarship Scheme. We also ran a series of interactive and vibrant ‘circuit training’ sessions on the stand, where I was in charge of running a quick-fire question and answer round. Hopefully my seminar on careers in the contact lens industry also inspired the future generation!
Informal chats with students throughout the weekend enabled us to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and as a result we have found that, whilst students are very interested in the subject, a lot of information they are given focuses on eye correction and fitting glasses, with contact lenses playing a small part in comparison.
At CooperVision we place a lot of value in supporting students from all aspects of optometry, with the aim of increasing their overall awareness of contact lenses. Our goal is to bring the subject alive at an early stage, by complementing academic knowledge with contemporary practical, clinical and technical support. Our philosophy is that by equipping students with additional relevant knowledge and practical training surrounding contact lenses, patients will be the ultimate benefactors.
We aim to support students and optical universities in a range of ways, including our annual Student Scholarship scheme. This scheme, which is entering its fourth year in 2014, offers funding to second year students to carry out a contact lens-based research project, with the chance to compete with other universities across the UK and Ireland to become the CooperVision Student of the Year. The UK winner is given the opportunity to compete in the European student competition, ‘The FORCE’, to win a full delegate package to the American Academy.
Patients put a lot of trust in their practitioners. If a practitioner feels completely confident using contact lenses to correct a wide range of optical needs, then a greater proportion of patients will subsequently experience the benefits of contact lens wear, and remain as successful wearers for longer. The increased awareness this will encourage, may also help to expand the market by facilitating prescriptions for a wider age range, particularly to the younger age groups.
Are you an optical student? We would love to hear your feedback on whether you feel you receive enough information on contact lenses and areas where you could use increased support. Please get in touch via marketing2@coopervision.co.uk or on our Facebook page.
The 2014 Student Scholarship will be also open for entries in the spring of next year – please contact your Course Leader for more information.
