Clinical conference speakers

Max Halford

Max Halford FBDO CL is a qualified dispensing optician and contact lens optician who has worked in practice for over 25 years. He is the Clinical Lead for ABDO and the Clinical Governance and Performance Lead for a large primary eyecare company, with responsibility for the delivery of training, accreditation and auditing of minor eye conditions, cataract and glaucoma services. He has written training and accreditation modules for Enhanced Services and is an assessor for the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC). Max is an experienced presenter and facilitator of CPD.

Dr Alicia Thompson

Dr Alicia Thompson began her career in optics over 35 years ago as an optical technician. She qualified as a dispensing optician in 1994 and managed an optical practice. Alicia went onto work as clinic manager at Aston University for over ten years and was involved in informal teaching, she also qualified as an examiner for ABDO. In 2006 she completed the Level 7 qualification in Spectacle Lens Design and in 2008 was appointed Director of Professional Exams for ABDO.

Alicia obtained her degree through Canterbury Christ Church University and more recently her PhD at Aston University in 2021, looking into paediatric facial anthropometry in relation to spectacle design. Alicia is currently Director of Education, Research and Professional Development for ABDO and still runs specialist paediatric dispensing clinics in Birmingham.