Cataract Awareness Month: June 2026
10 June 2026
This June, we’re joining patients, eye care providers, health officials and the public in raising awareness of cataracts – a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
Cataracts develop when the lens in a person’s eye becomes cloudy. An early cataract often has no noticeable impact on sight; over time cataract worsens, leading to blurry vision and difficulties in everyday tasks.
According to Sight Research UK, 65% of those diagnosed with cataracts did not know they had the condition, as symptoms can be near imperceptible.
The only treatment for cataract is surgery. Over half a million people in the UK have cataract surgery every year.
Zoe Richmond, Clinical Director at LOCSU, said: “Cataract is a common condition and most cataract develop slowly.
Moneeba Hussain, Communications Lead of North East London LOC, said: “When cataracts begin to affect the things you enjoy or need to do every day, it’s worth seeking advice from your optometrist.”
“Primary care optometry teams are well placed to advise on managing symptoms relating to cataract and when surgical intervention may be warranted. There’s no need to wait for a cataract to “ripen” but surgery is usually only beneficial when the cataract is impacting sight.
“People who have noticed a reduction in their sight should book a sight test. Even cataract is diagnosed, sight can often be improved through a change in spectacle prescription.”
For more information, Find your nearest North East London cataract pre-operative assessment provider: Practice Directory.
If your practice would like to get involved in delivering community eye care services, including MECS, Cataract Pre-Operative Assessment or Glaucoma Repeat Measures, please get in touch.
If you are interested in undertaking the CPD-accredited WOPEC Cataract Accreditation programme, we would be delighted to hear from you.
North East London LOC Latest News
SAVE THE DATE – 12th NOV 2026 NELLOC MEGA CPD DAY
Please save the date in your diaries. More information and registration link will be provided shortly.
24 June 2026
EXCLUSIVE OFNC WEBINAR WEDS 17th JUNE 7:45PM
EXCLUSIVE OFNC WEBINAR WEDS 17th JUNE 7:45PM This OFNC Engagement Webinar is organised by ECL and NEL LOCs for the North East London (NEL) ICS area. It is strictly by invitation only and is exclusive to optical practice contractors and performers in the area. Do not forward this invitation to colleagues outside your practice You must sign up to attend. Look …
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17 June 2026
NELLOC AGM BOOKINGS AND CANCELLATIONS CLOSING FRIDAY 1ST MAY 7PM
Please ensure you book by tonight 7pm, after that bookings will be closed. We are nearing full capacity. If you cannot attend you must cancel today by 7pm by emailing: nellocsecretary@outlook.com
1 May 2026
NELLOC AGM 6th May 2026 Kanchans – Please register to attend
*You’re Invited ! NEL LOC CPD Event & AGM 2026* 19:20 CPD event open to all providers of primary eyecare services in NE London. 18:15 AGM open to NEL performer and contractor members in Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Redbridge & Waltham Forest. 📅 Wednesday 6th May | 🕡 6:15 – 9:30 …
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20 April 2026
NNHIP London Borough of Barking and Dagenham South, North & West Integrated Neighbourhood Workshops
The last couple of weeks have provided amazing opportunities for colleagues from primary care optometry to collaborate & participate in the wave 1 NNHIP (National Neighbourhood Health Implementation Programme) London Borough of Barking and Dagenham South, North & West Integrated Neighbourhood Workshops. Please see our instagram post for further details and photos: https://www.instagram.com/nel_loc/p/DWUpCxSF_45/
26 March 2026
NE London Community Eyecare Lecture and Provider Led Peer Review – 15th April 2026
Message from North East London Community Eyecare: Dear All, Our first education session of the year will be held on Zoom on 15th April. There will be two parts to the session, firstly a lecture from Consultant Ophthalmologist, Johnson Neo on cataracts at 7pm, followed by a provider led peer review session at 8pm. Both MECS …
26 March 2026
NELLOC AGM Wednesday 6th May 2026
Save the date!! Please see attached poster- further details and booking link will follow shortly.
18 March 2026
Use of recall code 5.3 when examining children – reminder for GOS Contractors & all clinical staff
F.A.O. GOS Contractors and all Clinical staff including locum Optometrists: Message from NHS England – London: At present across London, there are significant wait times for a child who is referred for an ophthalmology outpatient’s appointment. For this reason, I would like to remind all optometrists and clinical staff of the following: For a child …
22 January 2026
Cataract Referrals In North East London
This message is sent on behalf of Mr Ayman Khaier – Consultant Ophthalmologist at BHRUT Dear Colleagues, We have noticed a decline in the number of patients presenting for cataract surgery in the NHS, and I wanted to write to you to highlight the situation with cataract patients in Northeast London. Whilst patterns of referrals …
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22 January 2026
Domestic Violence Guidance for Redbridge NHS Optical Practices including Domiciliary Providers
Dear Colleagues Please see attached briefing which aims to support optical staff in Redbridge to recognise the signs of domestic abuse in patients and colleagues, understand its impact on eye health and wellbeing, and respond appropriately through safe enquiry, signposting and referrals. Why this matters in optometry settings Optometry practices provide regular, face-to-face contact with …
22 January 2026