Optometrist Careers Profile
What is an optometrist?
Optometrists are primary health care professionals, previously known as ophthalmic opticians (often shortened to ‘opticians’). They are trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in vision, ocular diseases, abnormalities, signs of injury and problems with general health, for example high blood pressure and diabetes. They perform assessments on patients of all ages to check their ocular prescription and health, offer clinical advice, prescribe spectacles or contact lenses, manage conditions and refer patients onto other professionals, when necessary.
Optometrists are expected to have a high level of expertise on ocular anatomy, ocular diseases and maintain life-long up-to-date knowledge for best current practices.
Is optometry the right career for me?
Optometrists need to have excellent communication and decision-making skills, with a keen interest in problem solving and helping people. They are required to have good teamworking skills, but also need to be able to work independently. If you have an interest in science, an attention to detail, patience and enjoy helping and communicating with others, optometry could be the career for you.
Where do optometrists work?
Optometrists can work in a variety of different settings, including community practice, hospitals, home visits, research and education.
How much do optometrists earn?
Salaries vary depending on experience, location and type of practice. The starting salary for a newly qualified optometrist is typically around £35,000, depending on your employer and location. With experience, salary can go up to £69,000. Source: nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/optometrist
What career progression opportunities are available for optometrists?
There are many opportunities following qualification, all depending on your chosen career pathway as an optometrist. In Wales, all optometrists are required to complete Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS) Practitioner Accreditation to provide NHS eye care. This allows optometrists to provide enhanced patient care in the community, including managing and treating minor eye conditions via the WGOS Eye Examination and WGOS Examinations for Urgent Eye Problems. It is also possible to undergo further training to provide WGOS Low Vision Assessments, which allows accredited optometrists to support visually impaired patients in the community. You might decide to undertake further training and higher qualifications in subjects including glaucoma, medical retina, independent prescribing, low vision, contact lenses, leadership and eye care for children. These can open up opportunities to work in more specialised clinics. More information on WGOS can be found here: WGOS - NHS Wales. There are also opportunities to work in academia, including research and education or work at a strategic level looking at improving the future of eye care services. Furthermore, there are opportunities to work in hospital eye care services as an optometrist.
How do I become an optometrist?
Optometrists study at university for at least three years. Entry requirements vary between universities so please check their websites. Following this, they must participate in a period of assessed clinical training in practice, called the pre-registration period. Following successful completion of these elements, they are qualified as an optometrist.
There is currently a transition period in optometric training, in which the pre-registration period is becoming part of the university degree. Please check university websites for more information.
All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC), the profession’s regulatory body.
Do I need a degree?
Yes, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Optometry or Master of Optometry (MOptom).
Where can I train in Wales?
Cardiff University - Master of Optometry - Study - Cardiff University
There are other degree programmes in the UK - What to study and where (optical.org)
Is there funding available?
There isn’t any NHS funding available for the degree programme. There's no set minimum salary for the pre-registration period in community practice, but most employers pay at least the National Living Wage (if you're 25 or over) or the National Minimum Wage (if you're under 25). Many employers in community practice pay additional expenses such as course costs and Scheme for Registration fees Optometrist job profile | Prospects.ac.uk.
Are there postgraduate opportunities?
The postgraduate opportunities are extensive, all depending on your chosen career pathway as an optometrist. You might decide to undertake further training and higher qualifications in subjects including glaucoma, medical retina, independent prescribing, low vision, contact lenses, leadership and eye care for children. These can open up opportunities to work in more specialised clinics.
Do I need previous experience to apply for the course?
It is strongly advised to gain valuable work experience within optometry, this will give you the opportunity to see if you find it enjoyable.
How do I get experience?
There are numerous optical practices across the country that may offer work experience. Start by contacting your local practice.