Research

College research projects help to build a scientific evidence base that informs and influences College and national policies.

Research Strategy 2025-2030

This sets out how the College will approach research over the next few years and the key challenges it may face.

Forty years of research

For over four decades, the College has led the way in advancing eye health through world-class research, funding, and professional support.

Research grants and funding

Find out about the range of financial and practical support we offer College members undertaking research.

Research Excellence Awards

These awards recognise and celebrate the considerable achievements of our members involved in optometric research.

“The Undergraduate Research Scholarship has had a profound impact on my academic and professional development. It has equipped me with essential skills in interdisciplinary collaboration, script writing, and experiment design.”

“This scholarship has not only enhanced my confidence in research but has also opened my eyes to the possibilities of contributing to the field.”

Ifeoluwa Adeleke, Undergraduate Research Scholarship recipient

In the news

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.

Latest in Acuity

Seeing more, doing better

Chris Steele FCOptom, Clinical Editor of Acuity, looks at the brink of a major medical shift.

Online CPD

Research courses

Online CPD courses for eye health professionals in collaboration with Ulster University and the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

Access our journal

Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO)

The College of Optometrists’ research journal, OPO, has been the world’s top ranked optometry since 2014.

More on research

Did you know... about the Green Charter?

Eye care is evolving. Learn how demographic shifts, market growth and new technologies are expected to reshape vision care by 2035.

Public health Research Sustainability

College publishes first issue of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) with Springer Nature

The College of Optometrists has published its first issue of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO), its flagship international and interdisciplinary research journal for contemporary vision science and optometry, with its new publishing partner Springer Nature this month.

Public health Research

News in numbers - winter 2026

The clinical figures that count.

Children Low vision Public health Research Retina

Behind the headlines - winter 2026

Eye health issues that are making the news.

AMD AI and technology Children Glaucoma Research Retina

Tech news - winter 2026

A glance at what’s happening in the world of technology.

Glaucoma Low vision Public health Research

A healthy future? A deep dive into clinical trials

In part one of this two-part series, Sophie Goodchild outlines the essentials all optometrists should know about research studies – from who funds them to how to refer patients – offering an essential guide to clinical trials.

Public health Research

Did you know... about the Green Charter?

Optometry practices have one year to prepare for the introduction of the Green Charter, a pathway to accountable sustainability in optometry.

Research Sustainability

Help build the world’s most advanced retinal imaging database

UK optometrists are invited to take part in a pioneering Foresight research project to build a retinal imaging database.

Research