Optometry Education and Qualification in the United Kingdom Julie-Anne Little

UK Regulation and professional standards General Optical Council College of Optometrists Association of Optometrists

General Optical Council (GOC) Two stages of competency for optometrists Stage 1: satisfied by BSc Optometry (or equivalent) Stage 2: satisfied by Examinations at end of ‘Pre-registration year’.

UK Optometry Education system QAA Subject benchmarking statement (levels 4-6) Entry criteria ‘A-levels’ or equivalent Students at least 18 years of age

UK Optometry Universities Glasgow Caledonian University University of Ulster Manchester University Bradford University 600 Students per year Anglia Ruskin University Aston University Cardiff University City University University of Plymouth

UK Optometry Education system 3-4 year BSc degree Majority exit with BSc in Optometry MSc in Optometry

University accreditation GOC quinquennial visits to Optometry university courses Quality assurance system Competency-based scrutiny

University accreditation Syllabi not identical Students must keep portfolio of evidence and satisfy core competencies Reports on GOC website

University experience In-depth anatomy and science foundations Requirements to perform minimum number of eye examinations and Dispensing activities Visits to Ophthalmology clinics In-depth Ocular disease

University experience Specialist practice, e.g. Low vision, binocular vision, paediatrics Wide range of assessment experiences Research project Inter-disciplinary learning Evidence-based practice Ocular Therapeutics

After University Compulsory to undertake a Pre-registration year of supervised work Must have graduated with at least a 2:2 Professional examinations at end of this year Ran by College of Optometrists

Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists Need supervisor to work with Can be in community or hospital setting Student AOP

Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists Work-based Assessments Assessing each of the 75 elements of competence. Approximately 4 visits Work-based Assessment Assessor examines a routine eye test and Contact lens fitting under timed conditions.

Pre-registration scheme – College of Optometrists 3. Final Assessment Not in own practice. In an examination centre. Objective Structure Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) 16 OSCE’s, five minutes each College has video of OSCE

After Registration GOC Registered optometrist Compulsory continuing education. Recent changes to this: e.g. Peer review Higher qualifcations

Career Ladder Independent therapeutic prescribing rights Further academic and professional options Post-graduate short courses (level 7) MSc (level 7) PhD (level 8) Professional Doctorates (level 8) Higher qualifcations