As part of the General Optical Council’s (GOC) Education Strategic Review (ESR) (GOC, 2023b), it has updated its education and training requirements (ETR) for GOC-approved qualifications for optometry and dispensing optics, contact lens opticians, and supplementary prescribing and independent prescribers. 

According to the GOC, the new requirements ensure “all optical professionals are equipped to deliver eye care services in a rapidly changing landscape and meet the needs of patients in the future” (GOC, 2023a). 

Here, Ben Pearson, Education Manager (Policy, Projects and Research) at the GOC, addresses some of the common questions practitioners have asked the College about the changes.