We believe optometrists should be at the heart of patient-centred eye care in the UK, making full use of their skills, being given opportunities to develop new skills, and playing a central role in leading and delivering new models of care to improve patient outcomes. 

A workforce vision: Background

Our vision sets out how we will ensure that optometrists remain at the forefront of eye care provision.

A workforce vision: One year on

We launched our workforce vision for the UK in August 2022, here’s what we have achieved since.

A workforce vision: Two years on

Our workforce vision sets out to keep optometrists at the forefront of eye care provision, and continue to be valued and recognised as key healthcare professionals.

In the news

College welcomes government proposed plans to extend range of medicines that optometrists can supply

As part of its 10-Year Health Plan, the government is proposing to extend the range of prescription-only medicines available for optometrists to supply under the medicines exemptions legislation.

The College of Optometrists welcomes the new community-based approach to health care in England

The College highlights how eye care is already well-placed to meet aims.

Healthcare reforms must include wider use of primary eye care, optical leaders urge UK government

The College of Optometrists and the Optical Fees Negotiating Committee (OFNC) call on the government to make a long-term commitment to primary eye care in its NHS 10-Year Health Plan as part of the shift from hospital to community.

Lack of funding threatens commissioning of urgent care eye services in England

The College of Optometrists calls for vital community minor and urgent eye care services to be universally commissioned in England