Optometry
Optometry
What is optometry?
If you love people, want to improve lives, and are scientifically minded, a career as an optometrist is waiting for you!
As one of the five senses sight is hugely important – and in a modern world filled with computer screens and mobile phone screens, it is increasingly necessary for everyone to have access to specialist eye care and attend regular eye check-ups. As an optometrist you’ll be trained to examine the eye, to detect and diagnose any abnormalities and diseases, and to prescribe glasses or contact lenses.
What is the difference between an optometrist and an ophthalmologist?
An optometrist is trained to examine the eyes and test vision, they can also prescribe spectacles or lenses. Whereas ophthalmologists are surgical and medical specialists who perform operations on eyes.
Types of Optometrist
Most optometrists work in community practice. This may be:
community independent
community multiple - large companies that have multiple branches in the UK and sometimes abroad
domiciliary - going to patients' homes, care homes and day care centres to carry out eye examinations.
Other types of optometrist include:
academic
community ophthalmology and hospital
locum and portfolio
research and industry
third sector.
Many of the settings in which optometrists work enable part-time or flexible working.
University
Studying optometry can lead you to an exciting and varied career. You’ll get to put your knowledge into practice with diverse placement opportunities, and will learn about the issues that can affect eyesight. This may lead you on to further study, with options to specialise and gain further qualifications in areas such as glaucoma, contact lens prescribing, and low vision.
Optometry course entry requirements
< Accessed 2021>Entry requirements will vary from course to course, but you will be required to achieve high grades in the qualifications you have taken, and you will need to have studied at least two science subjects.
A levels – Entry requirements range from BBB to AAB, with the universities and colleges most commonly asking for AAB.
Scottish Highers – Entry requirements for Highers (the most common qualification) range from BBBBB to AAAAB, with universities or colleges most frequently requiring BBBBB. Occasionally, universities ask for Advanced Highers to supplement Highers. If Advanced Highers are requested, universities or colleges typically ask for BBC.
Vocational courses – Other Level 3/Level 6 qualifications (e.g. Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma, or an SCQF Level 6) may be accepted as an alternative to A levels/Highers by some providers. It’s essential that you check alternative entry requirements with universities or colleges.
What you will need to do
Apply by 15 January
Personal statement
Attend an interview
What can you do with an optometry degree?
Optometry is a growing profession in the UK, and graduates tend to work in hospitals, opticians, or larger retail stores – they could also be community-based. To become a practising optometrist, you will need to successfully complete your degree in optometry, followed by a pre-registration year of supervised training in the workplace. You will be required to register with the General Optical Council, who are the regulating body for optical professions in the UK.
Competition is high for optometry graduates looking to secure a pre-registration position, so it will be beneficial to have some relevant work experience under your belt. You could get this through weekend work during term time, or during the holidays. Some large retail chains also offer summer programmes that are a great opportunity to gain experience.
From here you can take your skills into the wider world, and find jobs where your optometry degree will be useful, such as:
ophthalmic optician
dispensing optician
optometrics
You may also find your degree useful for the following jobs areas:
ophthalmology
radiography
orthoptics
While many companies run graduate schemes open to those holding a degree in optometry, there are also opportunities to stay in academia through further study. When you are a qualified optometrist, there will be opportunities to study further, or to specialise in an area of optometry, such as glaucoma research.
University- Interview help
Sample Questions could include:
Why do you wish to study Optometry?
Why have you applied for our university?
What is the role of an optometrist? What else do they do apart from sight tests?
Tell me about your work experience/ How has your work experience helped you make a decision on what to study?
What do you do in your spare time?
How are Optometrists important in the diagnosis of diabetes?
They could ask you about Cataracts or Glaucoma.
Why optometrists and not orthoptics? Distinguish between the two?
What would be your motivation in optometry as a career?
What was the last optometrist journal you've read?
What have you done to help the general public before?
What would you say is your biggest success up to now?
Give me a situation where you've worked as part of a team.
Give me a situation where you had to use problem solving skills
Give me a time when you have had to deal with a difficult situation.
Give me an example of when your patience has been tested, how did you deal with the situation, what did you learn?
What do you think makes a good leader?
Career Videos
City, University of London: BSc (Hons) Optometry student Thaksha’s insights
Anglia Ruskin University - Optometry student interview
Career advice on becoming an optometrist