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Optometrist
Hours
37-40 per week
Starting salary
£17,000 + per year
As an optometrist (or ophthalmic optician) you would carry out detailed eye examinations to test vision and identify problems. An optometrist also tests for defects, injuries and ill health. If you're interested in health and want the chance to improve people's quality of life, you might enjoy this job.
To be an optometrist you will need strong communication skills. You’ll need to be able to put nervous patients at ease. And you’ll also need to be able to explain instructions to children.
To work as an optometrist in the UK, you must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). To join the register you will need to have a degree in optometry. You will need to complete a one-year work placement with a registered optometrist. You will also have to pass the GOC final exam.
WorkDesc
The work
You would use a range of instruments and traditional tools (like reading charts) to test and measure your client's vision. You would then make a diagnosis and give advice. This could include prescribing, fitting and supplying spectacles or contact lenses, and discussing the suitability and shape of spectacle frames.
Using your knowledge of eye diseases, if you detect abnormalities - including conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure - you would refer clients to specialists or ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) when necessary.
You could focus on a particular area, such as paediatrics (working with children), contact lenses, sports vision or low vision.
HoursDesc
Hours
You would usually work between 37 and 40 hours a week, which may include some evening shifts. Part-time work is also available.
Your work would mainly take place in a treatment room. If you are based at a hospital, you may be involved in some laboratory work. You may also travel to local health centres and community clinics.
IncomeDesc
Income
During the one-year pre-registration period, trainees may earn around £17,000 to £21,000 a year.
Qualified and experienced optometrists can earn between £25,000 and £44,500 a year, or more.
Salaries will vary depending on the sector. Additional allowances may be paid to those based in London.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
EntryRequirementsDesc
Entry requirements
To work as an optometrist in the UK, you must be registered with the General Optical Council (GOC). To join the register you will need to:
- gain a BSc (Hons) degree in optometry
- complete a one-year pre-registration, salaried and supervised work placement with a registered optometrist
- pass the GOC final assessment.
To do the degree, you will usually need at least five GCSEs (A-C) including English, maths and science, plus three A levels (with at least two in science-based subjects). Check with individual course providers as other qualifications may also be accepted.
If you are already working as a dispensing optician, you could retrain in optometry. You would still need to complete the approved optometry degree and pre-registration year, but the entry requirements may not apply. Check with individual course providers.
See the College of Optometrists and the GOC websites for further careers information and advice.
TrainingAndDevelopmentDesc
Training and development
As a qualified and registered optometrist, you will need to keep up to date with advances in this area. You will also need to renew your registration with the General Optical Council (GOC) each year in order to continue practising. See the GOC website for details.
Your promotion prospects may increase if you take more advanced qualifications, such as an MSc in optometry. You could also take further specialist training with the College of Optometrists in subjects such as contact lens practice, orthoptics, therapeutics and ocular conditions such as diabetes and glaucoma. See the College of Optometrists website for more information.
SkillsAndKnowledgeDesc
Skills and knowledge
To be an optometrist, you should have:
- the ability to understand mathematical and scientific information
- accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to adapt to new techniques and instruments
- the ability to maintain concentration for repetitive tasks
- strong communication skills
- a genuine desire to help people
- the ability to put anxious patients at ease
- the ability to explain ideas and instructions to children
- good organisational and administration skills
- an interest in style and fashion (useful for selling frames).
MoreInformationDesc
More information
Health Learning and Skills Advice Line 
Tel: 08000 150850
General Optical Council
41 Harley Street
London
W1G 8DJ
Tel: 020 7580 3898
www.optical.org/
College of Optometrists
42 Craven Street
London
WC2N 5NG
Tel: 020 7839 6000
www.college-optometrists.org/
OpportunitiesDesc
Opportunities
You will find most jobs in private practice. With experience you may be able to progress to being a partner in a business or you could set up on your own.
You could also work in an NHS eye hospital or move into areas such as university lecturing or research work with commercial glass and lens manufacturers.
Jobs can be advertised in the local and national press, in industry journals such as Optometry Today and Optician, and on the NHS Jobs website.
Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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Related industry information
Industry summary
The health sector is represented by Skills for Health Sector Skills Council, which comprises three sub‐sectors:
- National Health Service (NHS)
- Independent Healthcare Sector (such as private and charitable healthcare providers)
- Third Sector (healthcare) (such as small local community and voluntary groups, registered charities, foundations, trusts, social enterprises and co‐operatives)
The health sector is made up of hospitals, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, the ambulance service, nursing homes, residential care homes, complementary medicine and a huge range of other health related activities, from sight tests in opticians to research in medical laboratories. Most people in the health sector work in the publicly funded National Health Service (NHS), which includes:
- primary care (organisations which the public goes to first) – Doctors/General Practitioners (GPs), NHS Walk in Centres, NHS Direct, Out of Hours Emergency Care
- secondary care (organisations which the public are referred onto) – Ambulance Trusts, NHS Trusts/hospitals, NHS Foundation Trusts/hospitals, Mental Health Trusts, Care Trusts (provide joint health and social care activities)
NHS policy in England is directed from the centre by the Department of Health. Local organisations, known as Primary Care Trusts (PCTs), are in charge of providing and commissioning services, controlling the majority of the budget. PCTs are overseen by 10 regional organisations called Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).
The independent sector includes companies and charities that offer hospital and specialist services usually after referral from a doctor. Operations and other work are carried out in private hospitals, independent treatment centres, mental health units and hospices.
Key facts:
- The health sector is the largest employer in the UK, representing 5.5% of the working age population of the UK and 7.3% of the working age population that are currently in employment.
- It is estimated that the sector employs over 2 million people, including:
- over 1.5 million people in the NHS (72%)
- over 0.5 million people in the Independent Healthcare sector (26%)
- almost 40,000 in the voluntary sector (2%)
- 56% of the workforce has a higher education qualification (or equivalent).
- The age profile for the sector shows an older than average workforce, which is due in part to the fact that it takes some professions a long time to train and can mean that people enter the sector later.
There is a varied list of jobs in the sector ranging from a diverse number of clinical roles, to support and infrastructure staff, for instance: Allied Health Professionals (AHPs); Ambulance Staff; Dental Staff; Doctors/Medical staff; Nursing staff; Midwifery Staff; Healthcare Scientists; Health Informatics Staff; Management; Wider Healthcare Team; Complementary Therapists.
National and regional data
High proportions of the health sector workforce are located in:
- London
- South East
- North West
East Midlands - The health sector employs 131,515 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East Midlands employs 8% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 29% of all employment across the sector or 41,200 employees.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
East of England - The health sector employs 164,720 people, which accounts for 7% of all employment in the region.
- The East of England employs 9.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 52,300 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 14% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 103,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
London - The health sector employs over 249,524 people, which accounts for 6% of all the employment in the region.
- London employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 33% of all employment across the sector or 78,500 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 146,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North East - The health sector employs 89,201 people, which accounts for 8.7% of all employment in the region.
- The North East employs 5.3 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 23,800 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be almost 46,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
North West - The health sector employs 251,960 people, which accounts for 8% of all employment in the region.
- The North West employs 15% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 133,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South East - The health sector employs 264,071 people, which accounts for 7.1% of all employment in the region.
- The South East employs 15.7% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 23.5% of all employment across the sector or 59,200 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 164,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
South West - The health sector employs 182,187 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- The South West employs 10.8 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 30% of all employment across the sector or 60,700 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 12% of all Industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 105,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
West Midlands - The health sector employs 168,746 people, which accounts for 7.2% of all employment in the region.
- The West Midlands employs 10% of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 25% of all employment across the sector or 43,000 employees.
- Vacancies in the health and social work sector account for 9% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 108,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Yorkshire and the Humber - The health sector employs 182,848 people, which accounts for 8.2% of all employment in the region.
- Yorkshire and the Humber employ 10.9 % of the total health sector workforce for England.
- The private sector accounts for 24% of the total health care workforce or 42,000 employees.
- Vacancies in health and social work account for 11% of all industry vacancies.
- Between 2007 and 2017, the total requirement for workforce will be approximately 97,000 people. This is the total of the predicted expansion plus replacement demand.
Northern Ireland - The health sector employs 61,300 people.
- Northern Ireland employs 3% of the total health sector workforce.
- 81% of the workforce is female.
- 26% of the workforce is aged 35‐44 years.
- 96% of the workforce is white.
- 10% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 48% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Scotland - The health sector employs 201,500 people.
- Scotland employs 10% of the total health sector workforce.
- 78% of the workforce is female.
- 30% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 95% of the workforce is white.
- 14% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 39% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 23% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
Wales - The health sector employs 114,900 people.
- Wales employs 6% of the total health sector workforce.
- 74% of the workforce is female.
- 34% of the workforce is aged 45‐54 years.
- 94% of the workforce is white.
- 18% of the workforce reports a disability.
- 40% of the workforce is in Associate Professional and Technical occupations.
- 27% of organisations in the health and social work sector report vacancies.
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey, 2008‐2009, Annual Business Inquiry, 2007, and Northern Ireland Census of Employment, 2007]
Career paths
Further sources
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