Online learning

The last CET cycle saw big changes to the way we all work due to COVID19. The experiences of eye care professionals by the end of the CET cycle was drastically different to the beginning of the cycle in 2019. Online learning proved to be a successful way for eye care professionals to continue to keep up to date and keep on top of CET requirements. We saw increased activity on our website throughout the pandemic both through distance learning courses and our live-streamed webinars and peer reviews. 2021 was the busiest year yet for CETpoints.com.

During the 2019-21 CET cycle 12,566 new users registered on CETpoints.com. We awarded a record number of 42,688 CET points and 21,040 of these were interactive points.

Distance Learning Courses

In the last CET cycle, more than 5,500 users completed CET across more than 200 different courses on CETpoints.com. We add at least one new course every month and that gives our users access to courses on a wide variety of topics. What's more, many of our online courses attract interactive points. We awarded more than 6,500 interactive points in the 2019-21 cycle.

The most popular distance learning courses in 2019-21 were:

• Successfully managing dry eye
• Optimising contact lens comfort for wearer success
• What's in a frame?

Our distance learning courses were supported by the introduction of The Free Webinar Series and the Online Peer Review Series. These were especially helpful for eye care professionals during the pandemic when physical attendance for CET was not an option.

Free Webinar Series

The Free Webinar Series introduced at the start of the pandemic in 2020 has provided more than 16,000 optometrists and dispensing opticians with free interactive points. Each month we organised new, clinically-relevant content brought to you in partnership with some of the leading names in the optical industry. We have covered everything from dry eye, myopia and papilloedema to fitness to practice, data security, and business aspects of practice management. Have a look below at some key statistics from the past two years.

The most popular webinars in the CET cycle were:

• A Wider Look at Enhanced Eye Examinations (Optos)
• AMD: Better Outcomes Start with YOU (Maculogix)
• Dry Eye in the Digital Age (Essilor)

We look forward to bringing you more free webinars in the new CPD cycle.

Online Peer Review Series

It was difficult to attend peer review sessions in the latter part of the CET cycle, but there was something for everyone in our Online Peer Review Series. We helped 521 optometrists and dispensing opticians meet their Peer Review requirements with 39 different peer review sessions covering topics such as Infection Control In Practice, Initial Management of Common Ocular Diseases and Retinal Tumours and Pigmented Lesions. As well as meeting attendees' Peer Review requirement, each Peer Review session was also worth 3 interactive CET points.

The new CPD scheme makes Peer Review a requirement for dispensing opticians as well as optometrists. We have planned more great Peer Review sessions for 2022 for all GOC registrants. These sessions book up really quickly so keep popping in to our Peer Review page to make sure you don't miss out.

Thank You

We would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in our CET provision over the last cycle. Special thanks to our sponsors, without whom the free webinar series wouldn't be possible. Thanks also to our dedicated lecturers and contributors who help deliver a constant stream of content. And last but not least thanks to everyone who purchased a subscription, CET credits or just attended our free webinars. 

We look forward to providing some great CPD for you in the new CPD cycle.