British Contact Lens Association

25 June 2010

The British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) has launched a new-look website with a vibrant design, improved navigability and exclusive online resources for members.

Launched on Friday 25 June, the new-look website has been redesigned to better meet the needs of contact lens practitioners and the public by providing a wealth of accurate and up-to-date information.

A new members-only area has also been created, dedicated to contact lens and anterior eye research and education. It features four online libraries containing posters, research papers, case studies, a clinical photographic library and an easily accessible online lecture library. The lecture library includes presentations from this year’s BCLA Clinical Conference, such as Dr Donald Korb’s BCLA Medal address.

The revamped website also features resources such as reports on the contact lens industry, and information about membership. A consumer section includes a guide to contact lenses, with information on topics such as orthokeratology, contact lens solutions and infections. A frequently asked questions (FAQs) section covers questions such as ‘Am I too young for contact lenses?’ and ‘Can I wear contact lenses for swimming?’ The search facility, which enables consumers to find BCLA members’ practices in their area, has also been fine-tuned.

Caroline Seville, BCLA Marketing Manager, has been leading the redesign project over the past four months. She said: “As well as giving the website a cleaner and more modern design, we wanted to make it more user friendly for our members, students as well as consumers – which meant completely overhauling the structure. Popular sections such as events, membership and news have been given greater prominence and new resources added. The site is now fully and easily accessible to everyone – from practitioners and students to members of the public.”

BCLA President Shelly Bansal commented: “The growing importance of e-communications means that it is essential for the BCLA to have a cutting edge website. The clear and dynamic image presented by the site supports and demonstrates the way we want to engage with all our members, and the general public, in the future.

“We encourage all those who fit and practise with contact lenses to use the website, to become more actively involved with the Association and to fully utilise these exclusive resources that are designed to support them in day-to-day practice,” added Shelly.

The style of the re-launched website will be mirrored in the Association’s regular e-communications to members and students, such as BCLA Update, BCLA News Update and the Student Bulletin.