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.

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

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.

Latest in Acuity

News in numbers - winter 2026

The clinical figures that count.

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

Myopia control – trick or treat?

With half the world's population estimated to be myopic by 2050, Olivier Denève, our Head of Policy and Public Affairs, asks how we can explain the risks and benefits to patients.

Myopia Policy Research

Gene therapy for rare eye disease set to be offered on NHS

Our Clinical Adviser comments on the BBC story about gene therapy to treat inherited retinal dystrophies.

Low vision Research

The latest research

Here we summarise three research papers from a recent issue of Optometry in Practice.

Driving and vision Research

The gut – eye axis: can our intestines influence our eye health?

Our Director of Research, Mike Bowen, looks at the correlation between gut health and eye health.

Research

The College at ARVO

Our Head of Research, Martin Cordiner, reviews the highlights of ARVO, (the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) the biggest vision science conference in the world.

Research

The latest research

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

Public health Research

Creating a buzz out of nothing

Our Director of Research, Michael Bowen, looks behind an alarming BBC news story about a Taiwanese woman who had four sweat bees living inside her eye.

Public health Research

College research raises awareness of dementia that has early visual symptoms

The College of Optometrists has completed research on the experiences of vision assessment for people living with a form of dementia that impacts vision.

Dementia Research