We believe optometrists should be at the heart of patient-centred eye care in the UK, making full use of their skills, being given opportunities to develop new skills, and playing a central role in leading and delivering new models of care to improve patient outcomes. 

A workforce vision: Background

Our vision sets out how we will ensure that optometrists remain at the forefront of eye care provision.

A workforce vision: One year on

We launched our workforce vision for the UK in August 2022, here’s what we have achieved since.

A workforce vision: Two years on

Our workforce vision sets out to keep optometrists at the forefront of eye care provision, and continue to be valued and recognised as key healthcare professionals.

In the news

College launches new assessor affixes to recognise expertise and commitment to optometric education

The College of Optometrists has launched a new suite of assessor affixes to recognise the expertise, commitment and professional judgement of College assessors and the vital role they play in developing the optometry workforce.

We have updated our Privacy and cookies policy

The College has updated its Privacy and cookies policy to reflect recent changes in data protection legislation. This includes the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which came into force earlier this year.

New funding to extend SPOKE programme and inspire the next generation of eye care professionals

The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) has secured funding from the Central Optical Fund. This is to expand its work with a new 18-month project to inspire an early interest in careers in eye care among primary and secondary school pupils.

Nominations open for The College of Optometrists’ Research Excellence Awards

The College of Optometrists is inviting members and non-members to nominate outstanding researchers for the annual Research Excellence Awards in recognition of those making a significant contribution to optometric research and the future of the profession.