The risk of burnout is widespread. One in three adults (34%) have reported experiencing high or extreme levels of pressure (Mental Health UK, 2025), while one in five workers (20%) needed time off for poor mental health caused by stress in the past year. Levels of burnout are on the rise too. A recent survey of more than 10,000 workers globally found 42% reported burnout in 2023, the highest level since 2021 (Future Forum, 2025). 

Mental health issues represent the largest single cause of disability in the UK and are a significant factor in people being unable to work. Long hours, the constant pressure of caring for patients, and exposure to distressing situations mean health professionals are especially at risk (NHS England, 2025).

Optometrists are no exception. An online survey carried out by Neil Retallic MCOptom for his PhD at the University of Bradford found that one in three of more than 1600 pre-registration and qualified UK optometrists were experiencing mental wellbeing challenges, a greater proportion than in the general population. Levels were significantly higher among pre-registration optometrists.

Neil’s findings echo those from a survey at Queensland University of Technology and Leeds Beckett University of more than 500 Australian optometrists (Bentley et al, 2021), showing rates of poor mental health and burnout were high compared with the general population and other health professionals. Younger age and burnout were significant risk factors for psychological distress.