Optometrists are first‑contact eye‑care professionals. Day‑to‑day work mixes comprehensive eye examinations, refractions for spectacles and contact lenses, ocular health assessment (slit lamp, fundus imaging, OCT), referral decisions for ophthalmology and increasingly enhanced clinical services (Minor Eye Conditions Service, post‑cataract reviews, glaucoma monitoring). Most UK optometrists work for the major optical chains (Specsavers, Vision Express, Boots Opticians) — a smaller community works independently or in hospital eye departments. All UK optometrists register with the General Optical Council (GOC).

Responsibilities

• Examine eyes and diagnose visual and ocular health conditions
• Prescribe corrective lenses, contact lenses and refer for hospital eye services
• Specialise into hospital optometry, glaucoma, paediatric or independent prescribing
• Work for Specsavers, Vision Express, Boots Opticians, independent practices and h...