The teachers’ guide to careers in eyecare

The optical world is less well known than other branches of healthcare. But it offers a range of rewarding careers, for people with all kinds of talents and interests. Some roles offer recruits the chance to earn while they learn, while qualifications include apprenticeships, diplomas or degrees. From healthcare to fashion, technology to retail, management, design or manufacturing, there’s an eyecare role for everyone. We’ve got a whole host of resources for students and teachers.  Careers in eyecare lesson plan …

What jobs can you do with an optometry degree? 

If you’ve just started your degree, are going into the final year or are doing A levels, you may be wondering about your career options. Becoming a community optometrist is the obvious choice, but there are a wide range of pathways out there.  Domiciliary optometrist These are optometrists who visit patients in their homes, schools, care homes or community centres. Your patients may have medical conditions, physical or learning disabilities, so you should be flexible and able to adapt your…

Outstanding apprenticeships grade for optical group

SPECSAVERS’ apprenticeship programme has achieved top marks, with an outstanding rating from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted). It is the only optical and retail training employer provider to have achieved this grade on the latest list of outstanding providers in England. Specsavers is one of eight employer providers graded as outstanding. Group chief executive John Perkins says: “An apprenticeship will be the first step for many people starting a career in optics and we want to make sure…

Day in the life: the eye surgeon

Guy Negretti is a consultant eye specialist – an ophthalmologist – working across three NHS trusts, Moorfields, Barts Health and Surrey and Sussex Healthcare How you start work – what do you do first? Three mornings a week I’m in the operating theatre. I arrive on the ward at around 8am and see all the patients, answering any questions and reassuring them. Other mornings I am in the outpatient clinic, dealing with ophthalmic emergencies or in a specialist clinic.  What…

Exam results not what you hoped for? A career in eyecare can offer a bright future

The government in England is planning to reduce the number of top A level grades this year. Ministers want to return to pre-pandemic statistics, the proportion awarded in 2019. Scotland and Wales are moving more slowly. It may be bad news for some students, parents and schools. But if you miss out, there are still plenty of options for a rewarding career in eyecare. Whether you are into science and technology, fashion or engaging with people, there’s a great future…

Listen up! Care for people with hearing loss

It’s a little-known field but audiology is a rewarding option for everyone from school leavers and graduates to career changers, says Emma Walker, director of hearing services at Farnham Specsavers Hearing Centre.  Emma’s career wasn’t planned. She got a part-time job with Specsavers during university. “My English degree didn’t point me in any direction. When I graduated I went full time as an optical assistant.”  The store had a vacancy for a hearing aid dispenser and suggested Emma take the…

Crafting the perfect CV for a UK GOC registered optometrist: A comprehensive guide

As a GOC (General Optical Council) registered optometrist in the UK, writing a compelling curriculum vitae (CV) is crucial to showcase your skills, qualifications, and experiences effectively. With the demand for eye care professionals on the rise, a well-crafted CV can help you stand out from the competition and secure opportunities in this highly competitive field. This blog will guide you through the process of creating a perfect CV tailored specifically for a GOC registered optometrist in the UK. Understand…

Waiting for exam results?

Have you survived your GCSEs, or nationals in Scotland? It can be a nerve-wracking time. Here are some tips to help. When will I find out?  Results day for National Qualifications in Scotland is on Tuesday 8 August and GCSE results for England, Wales and Northern Ireland (and some Scottish schools) is on Thursday 24 August. Well done! Congratulate yourself. Whether you get the results you expected or not, that's OK. Try to celebrate what you have achieved – you…

A day in the life: dispensing optician and practice owner Scott O’Neill

Scott set up and owns Doctor Oculus in Birmingham  What is your role? I am a dispensing optician, which means I have studied to become an expert in tailoring different kinds of lenses for glasses. It helps to enjoy maths to do this job, but the most important thing is being able to talk and listen to people’s different lifestyle needs so that they can get glasses that let them see as best as possible. I often say my job…

Meet the Vivid Optical team

Vivid Optical is the leading recruitment consultancy in optometry and one of the sponsors of Careers in Eyecare.  Vivid Optical works very closely with a range of employers in the optometry sector including all the biggest names in the market. Let’s me the team: Luke Elias Since 2011, Luke and Stephen have grown The Vivid Group global. With expertise in niche industries such as Healthcare, Technology and Optical, the group continues to grow under their tutelage. Joe Preston  Coming into…