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, starting in manufacturing, qualifying as a DO and managing a practice. Alicia went onto work as clinic manager at Aston University for over ten years in the Optometry department.

In 2008 was appointed Director of Professional Exams for ABDO and this role evolved into Director of Education, Research and Professional Development in 2022. With a passion for more dispensing related research and raising the standards of paediatric eyecare, Alicia embarked on a part-time PhD looking at paediatric facial anthropometry in relation to spectacle frame design which was awarded in 2022.