Optometrists test vision, identify eye health problems, prescribe glasses and fit contact lenses.
£31,365 Starter
to£62,001 Experienced
36 to 38 a week
evenings on shifts
You can get into this job through:
You'll need to get a degree in optometry, approved by the General Optical Council (GOC).
You'll also complete a one-year pre-registration paid and supervised work placement, with a registered optometrist, and pass the GOC final assessment to qualify.
You'll usually need:
If you're working as a dispensing optician, you could retrain in optometry.
You'll need to complete an approved optometry degree and pre-registration year.
You'll find it helpful to get some paid or voluntary experience in a healthcare setting before you apply for a course.
You could contact the voluntary services co-ordinator at your local NHS trust for further advice.
You can find out more about working in optometry from:
You'll need:
You'll need to:
As part of your day-to-day duties, you could:
You could work at a store, in an NHS or private hospital, at a GP practice or in a laboratory.
You could specialise in an area like paediatrics (working with children), contact lenses, sports vision or low vision.
You could study for an MSc in optometry or train further in contact lens practice, therapeutics (prescribing drugs for certain eye problems) or specific conditions like diabetes and glaucoma.
We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for an optometrist right now.
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