Introduction
The College of Optometrists advances eye care through research and evidence-based practice. This Research Strategy outlines a clear plan for the next five years, focused on three core pillars that will strengthen the evidence base and research capacity in optometry.
The strategy is underpinned by the College’s core values: acting with integrity and transparency; listening and learning; demonstrating respect and professionalism; achieving high quality; and championing equality; diversity and inclusion.
Each of the pillars below includes clear objectives, the rationale for action, and strategic initiatives. These pillars are interconnected and collectively will enable optometry to remain at the forefront of evidence-based, high-quality eye care across the four nations of the UK and beyond, internationally.
The College’s funding of PhD scholarships over the last 45 years has had significant impact on the development of leaders in UK and international optometry
Partnerships to boost capacity
Building research capacity is vital to ensure that optometry not only utilises evidence effectively to drive evidence-based practice but also produces evidence. A larger, well-equipped base of optometrist researchers means the profession can lead studies, contribute to multidisciplinary projects, and adapt to emerging health challenges. Currently, many optometrists face obstacles to getting involved in research: they may feel untrained in research methods, have limited time due to clinical duties, or are unsure how to start.
Priorities for this work currently include:
- empowering optometrists to develop research skills and participate in research
- creating and supporting professional development pathways
- removing barriers to research engagement
- ensuring that optometry and optometrists are recognised and visible
Funding for optometric research
Investing in funding for optometrists across the range of grants and awards that the College has developed is crucial for building a strong foundation of optometric research and innovation. The College’s funding of PhD scholarships over the last 45 years has had significant impact on the development of leaders in UK and international optometry, as well as on the profession’s ability to develop effective relationships with other disciplines across clinical and academic settings. The full range of funding within the College’s portfolio of research awards provides impact and flexibility to support the development of optometrists as researchers and of a research culture within the UK profession.
In this area, our priorities are:
- expanding the number of funded PhD scholarships
- expanding the number of Research Fellowships funded by the College or sponsors
- further developing the Practice-based Research Programme
- supporting optometry universities
Dissemination, amplification, and filling gaps in the evidence base
For optometry to deliver high-quality, patient-centred care, it must rest on a solid foundation of evidence. Yet currently, there are notable areas of practice where limited evidence exists, leaving clinicians to extrapolate from limited or outdated evidence resources, or make best guesses. Working with partners to identify, highlight and where feasible filling these gaps is a core responsibility of the College as the professional and standard-setting body for optometry in the UK. By proactively identifying unanswered clinical questions or areas of uncertainty – such as the effectiveness of new models of community eye care, optimal approaches for managing refractive error, ocular telehealth, or the impact of expanded optometrist prescribing – the College can target resources to generate needed evidence and encourage other organisations to do so.
We will be prioritising the following:
- identifying key knowledge needed in optometric practice
- disseminating and amplifying outputs from optometry researchers
- leading and innovating within academic publishing
- incorporating new research findings into clinical guidance and policy
- directing research efforts to address gaps