Optometrist
Optometrists examine patients' eyes, test their sight, give advice on visual problems and prescribe and fit spectacles or contact lenses when needed. They are trained to recognise diseases of the eye, such as glaucoma and cataract, as well as general health conditions such as diabetes. They refer patients to medical practitioners when necessary, as well as sometimes sharing the care of patients with chronic conditions. Most of these activities involve the use of specialist equipment.
Most optometrists work in high street practices which may be independent or part of a regional or national chain. A smaller number work in hospitals alongside other healthcare professionals such as doctors and orthoptists. Some optometrists work in academic settings doing research and/or teaching, and also in the optical manufacturing industry.
Tasks of an optometrist in community practice typically involve:
In addition, some optometrists may be involved in:
To qualify as an optometrist it is necessary to obtain a degree in optometry approved by the General Optical Council (GOC) , the regulator for the optical professions in the UK. It is also necessary to register as a student with the GOC - check with the GOC for further details on registration.
The following universities run approved courses:
Entry requirements are usually a minimum of five GCSEs (or equivalent) at Grade C or above, including English Language, maths and a science-based subject. A-level grades, typically of AAB, in science-based subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics or in mathematics (or five subjects for Scottish Highers and six subjects for Irish Highers, all at A or B levels) are required at the majority of universities. Applications for courses should be made via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.
Graduates with a degree in a health-related subject (e.g. pharmacy), usually a 2:1 or above, may also be considered for entry on to an approved undergraduate course. Contact individual institutions for more information.
Mature students with non-standard qualifications should contact individual universities for further information on eligibility for entry onto an approved undergraduate course.
Degree courses usually last three years full time (four years in Scotland) and are followed by one year’s salaried pre-registration training. You must obtain a 2:2 or above from one of the approved courses and have a valid Certificate of Clinical Competency, which is awarded on graduation (valid for two years), in order to undergo pre-registration training. Trainees whose certificate has expired or who fail to achieve a 2:2 must successfully complete the GOC’s Optometry Progression Scheme before entering a pre-registration placement.
The pre-registration period enables trainees to build on the knowledge they have gained at university and apply it to real practice in the workplace. It includes work-based assessment and supervision by a registered optometrist. During this time you must also pass a practical final assessment examination, administered by the College of Optometrists . Successful completion of the pre-registration training and final assessment examination allows you to register as an optometrist with the GOC. (The University of Manchester has a four-year Masters (MOptom) course, which incorporates the pre-registration year. Students who successfully complete this course are fully qualified and able to register as optometrists with the GOC.)
Candidates will need to show evidence of the following:
Competition for pre-registration positions is high so gaining prior work experience is important. Some students work in practices at weekends. Some of the larger chains also run summer programmes for students between their second and third year. Visit company websites for details of these schemes. JCL Optics runs the Centralised Hospital Application Scheme for those who want to do their pre-registration year in a hospital.
For more information, see work experience and internships and search courses and research.
All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC) , the profession’s regulatory body, and listed on the Opticians Register. They must renew their registration annually in order to practise.
Continuing education and training (CET) is a mandatory requirement for continued registration with the GOC. The GOC’s CET scheme ensures that optometrists maintain the up-to-date knowledge and skills needed to practise safely throughout their career. The CET website enables optometrists to manage and maintain a record of their CET.
The College of Optometrists has developed a voluntary continuing professional development (CPD) scheme to help optometrists maintain, improve and broaden their knowledge and skills beyond the level required for re-registration. CPD Online is free to members and allows optometrists to manage their ongoing CPD.
Activities that count towards CET include attendance at lectures/workshops and distance learning by reading educational articles or listening to podcasts. CPD activities include postgraduate training, discussing case studies with colleagues, reading learned articles and reflecting upon them.
It is possible to undertake further study at postgraduate level. See the websites of the approved undergraduate degree providers for details of postgraduate courses leading to the degrees of MPhil and PhD.
The College of Optometrists currently offers a range of ‘Higher Qualifications’ on subjects such as:
Optometrists may also train as prescribing optometrists. This allows them to use an additional range of drugs in their professional practice and/or write prescriptions for medicines for ocular conditions. The College of Optometrists awards diplomas in therapeutics to those optometrists who have undertaken this additional training and passed the College’s Common Final Examination. The optometrist can then register with the GOC as a specialist prescribing optometrist.
Optometry has a flexible career structure and it is possible to move between sectors and also to combine a number of roles.
Opportunities for career progression within corporate practice can include promotion within the clinical and/or management structure. Transfer between practices may aid progression.
Some optometrists choose to go into practice management where salaries may be higher. Responsibility for practice direction and overall business management is usually taken on in addition to the routine work of an optometrist (e.g. sight testing). The increased stress and pressure of long hours must be balanced against increased financial rewards.
It is possible to buy into an optometry practice (franchise or joint venture) so that you have a direct influence on the running of the business. It is also possible to set up an independent practice, which may be of particular interest to those wanting to develop a specialist optometric service.
Optometrists with an interest in the medical side of optometry can work in a hospital, where their role will vary significantly and rarely involve undertaking a basic eye examination. There is a defined career structure in The National Health Service (NHS) and optometrists can work their way up from basic optometrist to specialist and principal optometrist and then, ultimately, consultant optometrist. There are options to specialise in areas such as prescribing optical aids for the partially sighted and pre- and post-operative care. It may also be possible to become involved in the education of ophthalmic nurses and medical students.
Some optometrists choose to develop their career by going into lecturing and research in both the UK and abroad or by acting as advisers to the local NHS Primary Care organisation. Some optometrists become involved in supervision of pre-registration students and full training is provided by the College of Optometrists.
There are opportunities to work abroad in countries such as New Zealand, Australia and Canada, where the structure of optometric practice is similar.
Optometrists work in a variety of settings. These include:
Large corporate companies, for example Boots Opticians, Specsavers and Vision Express, employ a large proportion of optometrists. There are also many smaller regional chains. Companies offering laser refractive surgery also employ optometrists in a pre-operative consultation and post-surgical follow-up role.
Those with a strong interest in the medical side of optometry choose to work in hospitals, employed by The National Health Service (NHS) .
It is also possible to work in industry for spectacle lens, contact lens and ophthalmic instrument manufacturers, involved in research and development. Optometrists may also work in industry in a professional services role, giving technical support.
A small number of optometrists are employed by universities and charities. Other employers of optometrists include local government, the army and public health bodies.
Self-employment through a franchise or partnership, or as a sole practitioner, is another route open to optometrists. It can be particularly attractive to those interested in developing a specialist optometric service.
Recruitment agencies also handle vacancies, details of which may be found in the optometry press. Search the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) website consultancy finder for a list of optical member organisations.
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