Full range of benefits for optometrist members

You can take advantage of a wide range of benefits with College membership. Take a look at the full list below, and make sure you don’t miss out.

You can take advantage of a wide range of benefits with College membership. Take a look at the full list below, and make sure you don’t miss out.

  • Acuity - The College's professional development journal for members.
  • Advice - Our expert advisers are experienced practitioners and are here to provide a prompt answer to all clinical questions.
  • App - The College's app gives members easy access to key resources, including the Guidance for Professional PracticeCMGs and Optometrists' Formulary - even when you are offline. Available on the App Store and Google Play.
  • Benevolent Fund - This fund provides short or long-term financial support for any member, past or present, of the optical profession in the UK or their dependents. Our team can also provide completely confidential support and advice on issues such as disability, addiction and debt.
  • Case studies - Free access to quality case studies for your own peer discussion or peer review.
  • Assessor, examiner and supervisor training and support - We provide all the training, support and resources you need to be a successful examiner, assessor or supervisor.
  • Diploma Ceremony - Newly qualified College members, those achieving Professional Higher certificates or Professional Diplomas and Fellowship can attend our prestigious annual Diploma Ceremony in Central London. Diplomates can bring two guests free of charge and the day also includes a complimentary drinks reception.
  • Directory - As a member, your practice will be listed on our patient-facing website LookAfterYourEyes.org.
  • College news - Our fortnightly member newsletter alerts are tailored to your circumstances and interests and packed full of news and information about the College and the wider profession.
  • Ethical scenarios - Test your decision-making skills using our ethical scenarios, based on the Guidance for professional practice and designed to show you how the guidance can be applied to everyday practice.
  • Events - Our free regional events are held across the UK and include topical presentations, thought-provoking peer discussions and opportunities to network with your peers. Most events provide a minimum of three interactive CPD points.
  • Fellowship - Fellowship (FCOptom) is the College’s highest award. It is an acknowledgment of commitment to the profession, experience and accomplishments.

Affixes

You will have received your MCOptom or FCOptom badge when joining the College. If you have misplaced yours, you can always pick one up at one of our free regional CPD events.

Higher qualifications

Our higher qualifications are ideal for those looking to progress in their careers and offer specialist services and we offer exclusive member support and resources.

Guidance

The Guidance for Professional Practice is the go-to reference tool for all practising optometrists and our members enjoy easy access with our app version. We also have supplementary guidance and guidance for therapeutics.

  • Independent prescribing - We have developed a range of tools and resources to support those working towards the independent prescribing qualification - including a guide for those members thinking of taking on the additional responsibility, an exclusive interactive IP logbook and an IP forum.
  • Jobs board - Browse our member jobs board for the latest optometry jobs, and why not post your vacancies free of charge and reach hundreds of our members.
  • Journals - The OpenAthens password gives our members free online access to the world’s leading optometric and ophthalmic journal – saving thousands of pounds in subscription fees.
  • Library - Our members have free access to the College library. Book loans can be delivered to members’ practices or homes and they can be emailed journal articles - all completely free of charge. Our expert library and information team can track down the information you need or carry out a literature search on a particular area of interest.
  • Logo - Download and display College membership logos to demonstrate your commitment to the highest standards of eye health care and to the continuous development of your skills and knowledge.
  • Media campaigns - Our regular media campaigns promote the role of the optometrist and communicate key healthcare messages, always directing patients to LookAfterYourEyes.org for further information and our searchable member directory. Our members are encouraged to get involved and are fully supported with exclusive toolkits and resources.
  • Online CPD - We have a growing range of multimedia CPD programmes available on a learning area of our website, where you can track your learning and link to the GOC to upload your points.
  • Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics (OPO) - Published six times a year, the College’s renowned optometry and vision science journal, OPO, is now top-ranked in the world. Members can access it online or subscribe to a printed version - completely free of charge.
  • Optometrists' Formulary - Our members have exclusive access to a database of prescribing information to help them deal efficiently with their patients’ eye conditions. Also available on the College's app.
  • Optometry in Practice - Our peer reviewed, practice-based journal is packed with research, analysis and opinion. Each online edition comes with multiple choice questions on selected articles, providing up to four CPD points.
  • Optometry Tomorrow - Members also enjoy significant discounts on tickets for the unmissable Optometry Tomorrow - our annual conference with lectures, workshops, discussions, exhibitions and much, much more.
  • Patient material - Our growing range of patient leaflets are designed to explain a range of common conditions in a clear and informative way. We also have tear-off pads on the instillation of eye drops and a handy tear-off Amsler chart, as well as children’s stickers and activity sheets - all free for members to order online.
  • Patient website - LookAfterYourEyes.org receives well over 100,000 page views and 70,000 visitors a month. It's packed full of information for patients and includes a member directory so they can find their nearest College member.
  • Presentations - Our members are often asked to present on eye health care and the work of optometrists to various community groups, schools and colleges. We have a number of resources that you can use when presenting to audiences of all ages.
  • Research funding - Each year, we provide more than £250,000 in funding to community, university and hospital-based researchers, as well as offering advice and support on developing practice-based research.
  • Spotlight on research - Save yourself time by getting the latest research, news and resources direct to your email inbox.
  • Using evidence in practice - These handy information sheets set out a summary of evidence on a range of topics, so our members know that there is a solid foundation behind their recommendations to patients.
  • Webinars - Our series of webinars has proved extremely popular and include lectures, therapeutics peer discussions and peer discussions. They are a great way to learn from the comfort of your own home, and offer interactive CPD points too.