Our work
Discover what the RCN Ophthalmic Nursing Forum is working on now and what we're planning for the future
How we represent our members
- Promoting best practice in ophthalmology
- Leading the development of ophthalmic nursing practice
- Promoting the nature, scope and value of ophthalmic nursing
- Educating nurses and health care professionals and improving the quality of compassionate patient care
- Influencing changes in ophthalmology that will benefit both patients and nurses.
Our strategy
- Representing all members of the forum.
- Attending key events in order to ensure that the voice of the ophthalmic nurse is heard.
- Working with relevant stakeholders and organisations.
- Developing key resources which demonstrate best practice.
Recent activity
Read our reports - download the PDFs
See also:
- Ophthalmic conditions and treatment pathways. Watch a series of short videos, developed by the RCN Ophthalmic Nursing Forum (ONF), which discuss a range of ophthalmic conditions, including adnexal, glaucoma, vitreo-retinal and ophthalmic emergencies.
- Ophthalmic nursing digital pages – an update on the nature, scope and value of ophthalmic nursing resource was created in 2023.
- Eyes Right: Eye care insights for every health professional (2025)
- Eyes Right: Older People and Driving (2024)
- RCN Magazine (2025) What I do at work: advanced ophthalmic emergency nurse practitioner. Grace, an advanced nurse practitioner, explains her pioneering role working in emergency care.
Eye News - bimonthly review of ophthalmology
- Grace Eni (2025). My journey as advanced ophthalmic emergency nurse practitioner, Eye News, Feb/Mar, 31(5), pp.20
- Tendai Gwenhure (2025). Introducing the Royal College of Nursing Ophthalmic Nursing Forum, Eye News, Dec/Jan, 31(4)
- Main issue, page 18: Eye News Apr May 2025
- Regina Tavengwa (2025). Four Pillars: Leadership for clinical practice settings, Eye News, Apr/May, 31(6)
Collaborations
The ONF committee represent the RCN in a wide range of National activities including:
- RCN Congress 2025
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth)
- Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOph). Ophthalmic Practitioner Training (OPT)
- UK Ophthalmic Alliance (UKOA)
- Clinical Council for Eye Health Commissioning (CCEHC)
- NHSE. National curriculum framework (PDF)
- Macular Society
- Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB)
- Association of Ophthalmic Nursing and Technicians
- Glaucoma UK
- APPG Eye Health
- RCN Ophthalmic Nursing Forum
- AbbVie.
Eye Workforce Competencies Documents
National Eye Care Recovery and Transformation Programme (NECRTP)
- Registered Eyecare Professionals – multi-professional skills to deliver new pathways of care
- Competencies and Qualification summary table
Further resources
Everyone's responsibility - New video on vision and falls by Liverpool University.
Royal College of Ophthalmologists. NOD Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) audit report.
Get involved
Find out more about how to get involved in developing NICE and SIGN guidance
Page last updated - 19/06/2025
