What is an Optometrist?

This is a question I am asked a number of times, along with 'How long does it take to become an Optometrist?', 'do you need a degree to be an Optician?'. These are all reasonable questions but it highlights to me how limited the awareness is of eyecare and the role we as optometrists play in the sphere of healthcare.

Our Qualifications:

All UK taught optometrists hold a Bachelors of Science degree - BSc (Hons) or BSc.

Optometrists have to complete a 3 or 4 year undergraduate honours degree followed by a minimum of a one-year "pre-registration period", (internship), where they complete clinical practice under the supervision of a qualified and experienced practitioner. During this year the pre-registration candidate is given a number of quarterly assessments, often including temporary posting at a hospital, and on successfully passing all of these assessments, a final one-day set of examinations (Examination details correct for candidates from 2006 onwards). Following successful completion of these assessments and having completed one year's supervised practice, the candidate is eligible to register as an optometrist with the General Optical Council (GOC) and, should they so wish, are entitled to membership of the College of Optometrists. Registration with the GOC is mandatory to practice in the UK. Members of the College of Optometrists (incorporated by a Royal Charter) may use the suffix MCOptom.

Our Role:

Optometrists are primary health care specialists trained to examine the eyes to detect defects in

• vision,
• signs of injury,
• ocular diseases or abnormality
• and problems with general health.

A detailed examination of the eye can help to reveal a number of conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. As optometrists we make a diagnosis, offer advice and when necessary prescribe, fit and supply contact lenses or glasses.