11 December 2025

#TheCollegeWrapped: Our achievements from October to December 2025

Research Workforce 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.

As we conclude #TheCollegeWrapped, we look back at the milestones that shaped the final quarter of 2025. Between October and December, we welcomed new graduates into the profession, strengthened partnerships across the sector, and set a bold direction for the next five years of eye care. 

Royal Charter celebration

This season opened with a moment of pride and history. Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh received a College Honorary Fellowship, recognising her significant contributions to eye health. The event also marked 30 years since the College received its Royal Charter, honouring The Duchess’s commitment to raising awareness and reducing avoidable sight loss. 

Meeting members across the UK 

Throughout the autumn, we met with teams from Asda, Boots, Specsavers, Vision Express, the Hakim Group and others to discuss education, CPD, CLiP, supervision, AI, membership benefits and emerging workforce needs. These conversations strengthen collaboration across the sector and ensure our support remains aligned with the realities of modern optometry. 

Partners for Optometry Tomorrow 2026 

We announced new partnerships for Optometry Tomorrow 2026, joining forces with ABDO, the Royal College of Nursing, and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Together, we will deliver a multidisciplinary programme supporting eye care professionals across all pathways. Optometry Tomorrow 2026 will take place from 14–15 June at the Harrogate Convention Centre.

A groundbreaking eye and hearing study 

The pilot UK National Eye Health and Hearing Study (UKNEHS) brought together researchers, sensory loss charities and policymakers. Examining more than 500 people over 50, the study revealed widespread, often undetected, issues with vision and hearing. Its findings highlight the importance of early detection and will help shape future national health policy. 

Planning for the next five years

A major milestone of this quarter was the launch of our Strategic Plan 2025-30, setting a clear and ambitious vision for the future of optometry. The plan outlines our goal to eliminate preventable sight loss and position optometrists as the first port of call for eye care, underpinned by four strategic pillars focused on members, people, values and resources.

Diploma Ceremony 2025 

Finally, we celebrated the profession’s newest members at the 2025 Diploma Ceremony in Westminster. More than 450 newly qualified optometrists marked the beginning of their careers alongside family, friends and peers. The ceremony also recognised excellence across the profession with Life Fellowships, Honorary Fellowships, Fellowships by Portfolio and the College's Research Excellence Awards.

From strategic vision to sector partnerships and the celebration of new talent, the final months of 2025 brought this year’s achievements to a powerful close. Thank you for joining us throughout #TheCollegeWrapped, and for being part of a profession shaping the future of eye care

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