This year marks the 30th anniversary of the granting of a Royal Charter to The College of Optometrists. Since June 1995, the College has transformed the profession from a relatively junior, physics-leaning discipline – sometimes perceived as subservient to ophthalmology – to one with greater independence, confidence, clinical scope and academic depth.

“It had been an intention since the formation of the College in 1980 to get a Royal Charter as one of the key markers of a profession that has arrived,” says Neil Handley, Curator of the British Optical Association Museum, adding that it provided formal recognition and legitimacy, aligning optometry with other established professions. 

In the 30 years since, the College has introduced a number of landmark changes, including specialist professional qualifications as part of a growing repertoire of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities. Independent prescribing (IP) was introduced in 2008, and by 2022, 1,344 UK-based optometrists had achieved this qualification (Young, 2022). Other specialist qualifications introduced over the last 15 years include certificates in medical retina, glaucoma, low vision, paediatric eye care and contact lens practice.

Driven by an ageing population, the prevalence of chronic eye conditions and continuous  technological advances, the pace of change looks set to accelerate. Optometrists have evolved from traditional spectacle prescribers into primary eye care providers who are increasingly required to clinically manage routine eye disease, prescribe medications independently and deliver specialist services.