Skip navigation

Optometrists

Ophthalmic opticians test patients’ vision, diagnose defects and disorders and prescribe glasses or contact lenses as required.

Wages

New workers
AVERAGE
Experienced
£14,147
£40,088
£59,464

New workers start around £14,147. Normal pay is £40,088 per year.
Highly experienced workers can earn up to £59,464.

Available jobs

In the past year there were 21,019 vacancies for this type of job

3.83%

Projected job growth over the next 8 years

Related courses

People work towards these careers by taking these courses at college and uni.

What they do most days?

  • Carries out research with glass and lens manufacturers.

  • Refers patient to a specialist, where necessary.

  • Advises patient on proper use of glasses, contact lenses and other aids, and on appropriate lighting conditions for reading and working.

  • Prescribes appropriate spectacle lenses, contact lenses and other aids.

  • Examines eyes and tests vision of patient, identifies problems, defects, injuries and ill health.

Hard Skills

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Optometry

  • Ophthalmology

  • Glaucoma

  • Surgery

  • Contact Lenses

  • Retina

  • Clinical Governance

  • Performance Management

  • Employee Engagement

  • Talent Management

Soft Skills

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education.

Skills are ranked based on the number of job adverts that list them as required skills.

  • Communication

  • Customer Service

  • Teamwork

  • Enthusiasm

  • Rapport Building

  • Management

  • Detail Oriented

  • Teaching

  • Research

  • Coaching

How do I get a job like this?

People in these types of job started their career paths after studying courses like the ones below.

Routes to this career

See all