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

#TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from October to December 2025

From celebrating new graduates to launching our five-year plan, the final months of 2025 marked a powerful step toward the future of eye care.

Latest in Acuity

The eyes have it

As we leave summer behind and head towards winter, growing demands on the NHS will no doubt fill news headlines.

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

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

Optometry Tomorrow: a review

The highlights from last weekend’s conference, including talks on OCT angiography and the future of glaucoma surgery.

AMD AI and technology Glaucoma 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