The College of Optometrists

27 January 2006

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Budding young optometrists can now access an interactive insight into optometry as a career, thanks to a new online resource provided by the College.

A Look at Optometrists is specifically aimed at young people aged 13 -16 considering their career options and may also prove interesting to younger children accessing the site under adult supervision. The resource is being launched in the first instance to providers of careers advice, including Connexions and ISCO Careerscope.

Users of the resource must negotiate their way through the three interactive puzzles to uncover a phrase about a career looking after people’s eye health. This phrase will appear on an eye-test chart, more of which comes into focus the more activities are completed. The fun includes a walk down a typical High Street, a ‘true or false’ challenge and a ‘What optometrists do’ game. On the way users will pick up plenty of useful facts on primary eye healthcare and enjoy stories and lots of images drawn from the fascinating collections of the British Optical Association Museum. There will also be a regular prize draw open to all pupils in full-time education.

College Chief Executive Bryony Pawinska commented “It’s important for the future development of the profession that we continue to attract bright young people into a career in optometry. The College’s new online resource, A Look at Optometrists, is an innovative approach to this, engaging with young people in a way that will appeal to them at an important time in their school careers, getting the message across loud and clear that optometry is a great career!”

Access A Look at Optometrists here.