College of Optometrists

5 January 2011 Return to news listings

New research released today by the College of Optometrists reveals that Alan Carr is a glasses fashion icon and one of the top three celebrities that the British public thinks look good in their specs.

Funny man Alan, better known for his quips than his fashion sense, came in at number three in the poll with nearly double the votes of David Tennant who was fourth, and miles ahead of heart-throb Jude Law in ninth place.

Fashion guru Gok Wan lived up to his vocation topping the poll as the nation’s favourite glasses wearer, followed by ladies’ favourite, actor Johnny Depp. Another unlikely high scorer was Anne Robinson – the only female to make it into the top ten list of celebrities, pipping Jude Law to the eighth spot. Other high scorers include Chris Evans, Harry Hill and Phillip Schofield.

Top Ten Celebrity Glasses Wearers:
1 Gok Wan
2 Johnny Depp
3 Alan Carr
4 David Tennant
5 Chris Evans
6 Harry Hill
7 Phillip Schofield
8 Anne Robinson
9 Jude Law
10 Paul O’Grady

Dr Susan Blakeney, optometric adviser at the College of Optometrists said: “It’s great to see such an eclectic mix of celebrities that people think look good in their glasses as this demonstrates that our attitudes towards wearing specs is really shifting. Whether seen as fashionable or not, it is important to prioritise your health over style and to ensure you have regular eye examinations – not only to make sure your eyes are healthy, but also that you see as well as possible out of your spectacles  or contact lenses.”

For more information on eye health see www.lookafteryoureyes.org

ENDS

For more information please contact:
Edie Barton-Harvey/Zoe Belhomme
3 Monkeys Communications
020 7009 3100
edith@3-monkeys.co.uk/zoe@3-monkeys.co.uk

Notes to editors
All research unless otherwise stated was conducted on behalf of the College of Optometrists by One Poll amongst 2,000 respondents between 18 December 2009 and  21 December 2009. All resulted have been weighted and are representative.

About The College of Optometrists
1. The College of Optometrists is the Professional, Scientific and Examining Body for Optometry in the UK, working for the public benefit.  Supporting its Members in all aspects of professional development, the College provides pre-registration training and assessment, continuous professional development opportunities, and advice and guidance on professional conduct and standards, enabling our Members to serve their patients well and contribute to the wellbeing of local communities.
2. Previously known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, test sight, give advice on visual problems, and prescribe and dispense spectacles or contact lenses. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate. Optometrists are trained to recognise eye diseases, referring such cases as necessary, and can also use or supply various eye drugs.
3. Optometrists study at university for at least three years normally and participate in a full year of training and supervision, called the pre-registration year, before qualifying. Once qualified, they have the opportunity to develop their interests in specialist aspects of practice such as contact lenses, treating eye diseases, low vision, children’s vision and sports vision.
4. All optometrists practising in the UK must be registered with the General Optical Council, the profession’s regulatory body, and are listed in the Opticians Register. The letters FCOptom or MCOptom after an optometrist’s name means that he or she is a fellow or member of the College of Optometrists. The letters DipCLP after an optometrist’s name means that he or she has undertaken an additional post graduate qualification in contact lens practice.
5. There are currently over 11,500 registered optometrists in the UK.