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Optometrist

Optometrists examine eyes, test vision, detect eye conditions and prescribe corrective lenses. You need a General Optical Council (GOC)-approved qualification, including supervised practice, and GOC registration.

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Career fit

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Entry level
£40,000 (starter)
Mid-career (typical)
£40k – £65k
Senior / lead
£65,000 (experienced)
What you'll do

A day in the life

  • Carry out eye examinations
  • Detect signs of eye disease
  • Prescribe glasses and contact lenses
  • Refer patients to specialists when needed
  • Advise on eye health
The path

Your career roadmap

Every milestone from school to senior. Track progress as you complete each stage.

  1. 1

    GCSEs

    education
    Usually 2 years; resits may take less

    Study GCSEs or equivalents, focusing on English, maths and sciences for entry to further study and optometry courses.

  2. 2

    A Levels or equivalent

    education
    Usually 2 years; Access courses often 1 year

    Complete A levels or accepted equivalents, usually including science subjects required by your chosen optometry course.

  3. 3

    Approved Optometry degree / qualification

    qualification
    Usually 4 years; foundation years add time

    Complete a GOC-approved optometry qualification, usually an integrated master's combining academic study, clinical learning and supervised placements.

  4. 4

    Clinical training

    experience
    Integrated throughout the qualification

    Practise eye examinations, clinical decision-making and patient communication under supervision, normally within your approved optometry course.

  5. 5

    Pre-registration / supervised practice

    experience
    Course-dependent; older separate schemes usually around 1 year

    Complete supervised patient-facing practice, integrated into newer qualifications or undertaken through a separate pre-registration scheme on older routes.

  6. 6

    GOC final assessment

    qualification
    Assessment timing varies by route

    Pass your route's final competence assessments; these are not necessarily a separate examination administered by the GOC.

  7. 7

    GOC registration

    certification
    Processing times vary

    Apply to join the GOC register as an optometrist after completing your approved qualification and any required route-specific assessments.

  8. 8

    Optometrist / specialist progression

    role
    Ongoing

    Work as a registered optometrist, examining eyes, prescribing optical correction and referring patients, with opportunities to develop specialist expertise.

What you need

Skills you'll build

Qualifications
  • GOC-approved optometry qualification
Certifications
  • GOC registration
  • College of Optometrists membership