Optometry careers

Optometrists are primary health care professionals, previously known as ophthalmic opticians (often shortened to ‘opticians’).

A contact lens optician (CLO) specialises in fitting contact lenses and ensuring people look after their lenses and their eyes. 

A dispensing optician (DO) advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each person’s visual, lifestyle and vocational needs.

Orthoptists are allied health care professionals who specialise in the assessment of visual function, particularly in children, diagnosing and treating defects in eye movement and problems with how the eyes work together.