Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians in Wales play a vital role in delivering high-quality eye care across primary and secondary care settings.
Based predominantly in primary care, optometrists are often the first point of contact for patients with visual concerns, acute eye conditions and suspected ocular disease. They assess, diagnose and manage a wide range of eye conditions, prescribe optical appliances and identify systemic disease that may present through ocular signs.
Dispensing Opticians specialise in the safe supply, fitting and optimisation of spectacles and low vision aids, ensuring patients receive appropriate visual correction and support tailored to their clinical and lifestyle needs.
Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW) leads on the strategic development of the optometry and dispensing optics workforce through structured education, postgraduate training and continuing professional development (CPD).
We commission and oversee postgraduate qualifications including glaucoma, medical retina, low vision and Independent Prescribing alongside mentoring frameworks and targeted clinical training aligned to national service priorities. Our programmes are designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge, skills and clinical confidence required to deliver safe, effective and evidence-based care within the NHS Wales eye care services (Wales General Ophthalmic Services (WGOS)) framework.
HEIW also supports reflective practice, peer learning and clinical leadership development to ensure practitioners can adapt to evolving service models. All education and training activity aligns with regulatory standards and national clinical governance frameworks, ensuring quality and consistency across Wales.