Research

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

Research Strategy 2020-2025

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

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

OPO celebration event marks 100-years of groundbreaking research in vision science and optometry

The event celebrated the past, present and future of Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO).

Latest in Acuity

The times they are a-changin

Chris Steele FCOptom, new Clinical Editor of Acuity, on change as a positive factor

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

The latest research

Summaries of two research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

Children Glaucoma Research

Gene therapy first to 'halt' most common cause of blindness

Our Clinical Adviser comments on the story in the BBC about the woman who had gene therapy to try to halt the progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

AMD Research

The latest research

Summaries of two research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

Glaucoma Research Supervision

The Prevalence of Visual Impairment in Dementia (PrOVIDe) project

Member briefing: This page explains the key findings of the PrOVIDe study and sets out how this knowledge might benefit you in practice.

Dementia Research

A comparison of spectacles purchased online and in UK optometry practices

Member briefing: College research finds that consumers prefer spectacles purchased in UK optometry practices to those bought online.

Dispensing Research

The latest research

Summaries of two research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

Low vision Research Retina

The optical professions: what does the future hold?

Member briefing: On 29 September 2016, the College hosted a landmark roundtable event in London, involving all the key optical sector organisations, to gather ideas for preparing for an uncertain future.

Policy Public health Research

Optical Workforce Survey

The College of Optometrists led stakeholders from across the sector to undertake a survey of the optical workforce.

Research Workforce