About Us
Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre (WOPEC) is a newly formed centre accommodated within a dedicated facility in the School of Optometry and Vision Sciences, Cardiff University. It is directed by Nik Sheen and Barbara Ryan.
LOCSU Lead Assessors are trained and accredited by WOPEC to organise local glaucoma accreditations for optometrists throughout the UK.
WOPEC / LOCSU Lead Assessors
Barbara Ryan Director
Barbara Ryan spent her early optometric career in the Hospital Eye Service in Oxford, Nigeria and Birmingham. In 1996, Barbara moved to London and became the first optometrist to work for the national charity, RNIB.
Barbara has been involved in undergraduate optometric clinical teaching in Aston, Bradford and Cardiff Universities. Barbara practises one day a week in Monmouth, is an Examiner for the College of Optometrists and Clinical Lead for the Welsh Low Vision Service.
Prior to becoming Director of WOPEC, Barbara was an Accreditation and Evaluation Manager for the Welsh Eye Care Initiative (2003 to 2008). Together with Nik Sheen she was responsible for providing all the training, accreditation and re-accreditation for optometrists in Wales who provide the Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS), the Welsh Eye Health Examination (WEHE) and the Welsh Low Vision Service.
Nik Sheen Director
After passing the College of Optometrists pre-qualifying examinations Nik Sheen worked as an optometrist in independent and multiple practices for 3 years before studying full-time at Bristol Eye Hospital for a MSc in Clinical Ophthalmology and Optometry.
Thereafter, he completed a PhD at Cardiff University investigating stereoscopic techniques in the diagnosis of glaucoma. He now works as a part-time lecturer in Optometric Investigative Techniques at Cardiff University. He is also an Examiner for the College of Optometrists, an expert witness in Fitness to Practice cases, a member of the GOC education committee and a self-employed locum optometrist.
Prior to becoming Director of WOPEC, Nik was an Accreditation and Evaluation Manager for the Welsh Eye Care Initiative (2003 to 2008). Together with Barbara Ryan he was responsible for providing all the training, accreditation and re-accreditation for optometrists in Wales who provide the Primary Eyecare Acute Referral Scheme (PEARS), the Welsh Eye Health Examination (WEHE) and the Welsh Low Vision Service.
Stacey Blackett Secretary
Stacey supports Nik and Barbara in the daily running of WOPEC and is often your first point of contact for enquiries or questions about upcoming events or courses.
WOPEC receives some of it's funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.