Whether you decide to work in high street practices, alongside other healthcare professionals in hospitals or make your mark in vision science research, throughout your degree we’ll help you plan for a successful career.
Optometrists perform eyesight examinations, give advice on visual problems and prescribe corrective lenses or spectacles. Working with patients of all ages, optometrists examine the eyes to detect signs of injury, disease, abnormality and defects in vision and related health problems.
The recognised route from studying at degree level to full qualification and becoming a practising optometrist involves:
- achieving at least a 2:2 degree classification
- completing a supervised period of pre-registration employment – usually a year – in conjunction with the College of Optometrists scheme
- successfully completing assessment throughout this period and a final formal exam
- registering your College of Optometrists qualification with the General Optical Council (GOC) so you can practise as a professional in your own right
- continuing education throughout your career.
Optometry graduates find employment in a diverse range of roles, including working in:
- NHS or private hospitals
- independent or chain optical businesses
- laser and refractive surgery
- community practice in people’s own homes
- specialist fields such as glaucoma care
- vision science research and academia
- industry
- teaching.
