PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Next BCLA President thrilled with ‘huge honour’

The next President of the British Contact Lens Association is pushing for advances in eco-friendly products and wants to see further work in finding treatments for patients with ocular pathology. 
Neil Retallic, European Professional Services Director for Menicon, has been unveiled as the organisation’s President Elect and will take over from current President, Indie Grewal, following the 2021 BCLA AGM.
Based in Nottingham, Neil is also an Assessor and Examiner for the College of Optometrists and is looking forward to representing members at the helm of the BCLA.
He said: “It’s a huge honour to be named as President Elect of the BCLA, an organisation that is very close to my heart. I look forward to carrying on the good work of Indie and all the previous presidents that have served before.
“I believe contact lenses should be offered to all patients as an eye wear option in addition to spectacles. The world of contact lenses and anterior eye is rapidly evolving, which is exciting and we should embrace the new technology and innovation, to provide our wearers with the most suitable options to match their needs.

“The biggest challenge is how do we keep patients happy with contact lenses and reduce dropout rates, with products that are eco-friendly and complement the ocular surface. I think there is further work to be done in developing contact lens solutions for patients with ocular pathology and the therapeutic aspects.”

Neil’s previous roles include Professional Services Manager for CooperVision, Learning and Development Manager for Vision Express and Optometry Teaching Fellow for the University of Manchester. 
He has been involved with various organisations across the sector and is currently part of the GOC Education Committee, Chair of the BCLA Education Committee and a former Chair of the British and Irish University and College Contact Lens Educators. He has been awarded fellowships from the BCLA and IACLE.

BCLA chief executive, Luke Stevens-Burt, said: “Neil is a much-valued and greatly-respected member of our council. His enthusiasm and knowledge for contact lenses and the anterior eye is evident and I have no doubt he will make a real impression as our next President. I look forward to working closely with Neil and shaping the future of our sector.”

Neil replaces Prof. Christine Purslow as President Elect after she decided to step down from the role.
 
Notes to editors
• For further information, or to arrange further interviews, please call Daniel Owens from Orange Juice Communications on 07909 916668 or email [email protected]