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Optometrists test vision, identify eye health problems, prescribe glasses and fit contact lenses.
You could work: evenings; on shifts
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 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 on hospital placements.
You can contact high street opticians directly for information on work experience schemes.
You'll need to:
You can find out more about working in optometry from:The College of Optometrists; General Optical Council; Health Careers
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.