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Pursue a career in vision care | |
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TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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SAVE SIGHT Sight is one of the most precious of our five senses. It is vital to everything we do: at work, at home, driving, for sports, at leisure. In today's fast-moving world, good vision is of paramount importance. Caring for people's sight is vital. Vision care is a field which demands the ability to communicate with people and to work with precision and professionalism. As a qualified optometrist or dispensing optician you would be responsible for the visual health of your patients, working to maintain or improve the quality of their lives. This is obviously demanding, but it is also rewarding and stimulating as technological and clinical advances continually take place. You can look forward to a fulfilling career in providing the nation's vision care. The earning potential is excellent, depending on hard work, enthusiasm, expertise and good business sense. EYE CARE PROFESSIONALSHistorically known as ophthalmic opticians, optometrists are trained professionals who examine eyes, give advice on visual problems, prescribe and fit spectacles or contact lenses. They refer patients with eye disease to medical colleagues. Some choose to specialise in a particular aspect of eye care such as the co-management of pathology, contact lenses, low vision or paediatrics. They also recommend other treatments or visual aids where appropriate and recognise eye disease, referring such cases as necessary. DISPENSING OPTICIAN A dispensing optician advises on, fits and supplies the most appropriate spectacles after taking account of each patient's lifestyle and vocational needs. Dispensing opticians are also able to fit contact lenses after undergoing further specialist training. OTHER EYE CARE PROFESSIONALSOphthalmic medical practitioners are medical doctors specialising in eye care. Like optometrists, they examine eyes, diagnose abnormalities and prescribe suitable corrective lenses. To become an ophthalmic medical practitioner you must first qualify as a medical doctor. OPHTHALMOLOGISTS Ophthalmologists specialise in eye conditions and their treatment. Medically qualified, they mainly work in eye hospitals and hospital eye departments. To become an ophthalmologist you must first qualify as a medical doctor. ORTHOPTISTS Orthoptists are allied health professionals who work mainly in hospitals alongside ophthalmologists in the assessment and treatment of squints, double vision and other abnormalities of binocular vision. For further information please contact: British Orthoptic Society Tavistock House North Tavistock Square London WCIH9HX |
THE WORK OF AN OPTOMETRISTYour patients will range from young children to elderly pensioners and each will have his or her own individual needs. Excellent communication skills are vital to enable you to give them the information and reassurance they need and to listen to what they have to say. Optometrists can choose to practise in a number of ways and in a number of environments. You may work in a practice that is part of a chain or one that is independent, or in a hospital eye department. Optometry provides an opportunity for you to run your own practice (either wholly owned or a franchise) - an attractive option for someone with an entrepreneurial spirit - or you may elect for the security of an employed post. An optometrist may choose which aspects of practice he or she wishes to pursue; either practising across the broad range of optometry or specialising in a particular area of clinical practice such as children's vision, low vision or contact lenses. There are plenty of options for optometrists who wish to work part-time, either working a limited number of days or hours per week in a practice, or as a locum - often in a number of different practices. |
THE ROUTE
Registration in the UK Once qualified as an optometrist you must register with the General Optical Council to practise in the United Kingdom. This registration must be renewed annually. Entry standards You will usually need three A2 levels. Universities will specify at least two Science subjects at A2 level, normally in a biological science and mathematics or a mathematical science (general studies is not counted for this purpose). Some universities specify biology at A2 level. Typical conditional offers are around ABB however there may be some flexibility in the actual grades accepted for entry. Students are also admitted with other qualifications including Scottish or Irish Highers - typical entrance requirement are five subjects for Scottish and six subjects for Irish; all at A or B levels. Mature applicants or those offering other qualifications should contact the relevant university Admissions Tutor for further advice on eligibility for entry to the undergraduate course in optometry. Before selecting A2 level or equivalent options, prospective applicants should confirm that their intended subjects are acceptable to the university of their choice by checking either the university undergraduate prospectus or the appropriate optometry website. |
THE WORK OF A DISPENSING OPTICIANThe work of a dispensing optician involves advice on lens type, advice on styling of frames, and taking frame and facial measurements in relation to lenses. Before any finished spectacles are deemed acceptable for a patient, they must be checked to ensure they correspond to the prescription and final ordered specifications and are suitable for the conditions in which they will be used. Once the patient has received the new spectacles and been instructed on how to get the best results from them, the dispensing optician is always available to offer advice and effect adjustments and repairs if necessary. The supply and fitting of contact lenses involves different processes to fitting spectacles and, on completion of the standard dispensing course, courses are available for those wishing to specialise in this area. Dispensing optics offers immense job satisfaction to those who enjoy dealing with the public, and like optometry, provides an opportunity to run your own practice. |
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIREDWhilst the above information may be used as a guide to entry standards you are strongly advised to contact the college or university of your choice to establish their entry qualifications. Types of training There are currently five ways to train as a dispensing optician:
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USEFUL ADDRESSESRegulatory body for optometrists and dispensing opticians set up by statute The General Optical Council 41 Harley Street London WIN 2DJ Tel: 020 7580 3898 Fax: 020 7436 3525 Web: www.optical.org The College of Optometrists Professional, scientific and examining body for optometry in the UK The College of Optometrists 42 Craven Street London WC2N 5NG Tel: 020 7839 6000 Fax: 020 7839 6800 Email: careers@college-optometrists.org Web: www.college-optometrists.org Association of British Dispensing Opticians Professional body which also provides distance learning courses for dispensing opticians Association of British Dispensing Opticians Godmersham Park Mansion Godmersham Kent CT4 7DT Tel: 01227 738829 Fax: 01227 733900 Email: education@abdo.org.uk Web: www.abdo.org.uk The Association of Optometrists Provides services and representation to promote and protect its members The Association of Optometrists 61 Southwark Street London SE1 OHL Tel: 020 7261 9661 Fax: 020 7261 0228 The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians Represents the business interests of registered opticians The Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians 113 Eastbourne Mews London W2 6LQ Tel: 020 7258 0240 Fax: 020 7724 1175 Web: www.fodo.com |
UNIVERSITIES PROVIDING DEGREE |
THE APPLICATION PROCEDUREUniversities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Fulton House Jessop Avenue Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL50 3SH Applicant enquiries: Tel: 01242 227788 Web: www.ucas.ac.uk Details of student grants and loans are available from your careers adviser. |
UNIVERSITIES PROVIDING COURSES |
| Source: The Eyecare Trust |
