Wirral optician Fred Howard nominated for Optometrist of the Year award

Oct 26 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

A WIRRAL optometrist is hoping for spectacular success after being nominated for a prestigious national award.

Fred Howard, who runs Frederick Howard Opticians in Bebington, Pensby and Liscard, is in the running for the Association of Optometrists’ Optometrist of the Year Award for 2011.

Mr Howard, who is chair of Wirral Local Optical Committee, was shortlisted by a selection committee for his work to expand optometry in the community.

He still carries out home visits and, working with Wirral NHS and other optometrists on the committee, has helped develop local services for patients to prevent them having to go to hospital.

This includes assessments for glaucoma referral, red or dry eyes and floaters in the eyes.

His committee has also been nominated for the Association’s Local Optical Committee of the year award.

The winners, voted for through an online poll, will be announced at the National Optometric Conference on November 3.

Mr Howard said: “I have always wanted to use the full range of our skills.

“The great majority of Wirral optometrists now do the same and we have really raised the standard of optometry on Wirral.”

He said his aim was to cater for “everyone from the very young to your housebound relatives”.