1. A career in eyecare A guide for school students (aged 12 or above)
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

2. Careers in eyecare Optometrist Optician Contact Lens Optician
Low Vision Optician
Optical assistant
Optical technician
Ophthalmologist
Orthoptist
Ophthalmic nurse
Eye care liaison officer
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

3. What’s the difference?
So what is the difference between an optometrist and an optician?
Association of British Dispensing Opticians
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

4. Dispensing optician – career prospects
Average salary £26,000
Training salary minimum wage (plus)
Opticians with further training / qualifications improve their salary potential considerably
Many opticians are involved in management
Other roles include training, education, sales, marketing and professional services within the industry
You can own your own business or open a joint venture partnership or franchise
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

5. Ophthalmic dispensing study options
Full time FD (2 year) and BSc (3 year) courses available at Anglia Ruskin, Bradford, City, Glasgow Caledonian universities
Entry requirements 2-3 A Levels average grades
Most common route is through blended learning via ABDO College - involving block release, distance learning assignments, in-practice supervision and exams through ABDO
Level 6 Diploma, Foundation Degree and BSc (Hons) options
Entry requirements: 5 GCSEs (grade C or above) including maths, English and a science subject
Full time job with sponsor / employer
Day release options also available eg City & Islington College, Bradford College
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

6. Dispensing optician Qualification = distinguishing letters FBDO
Registration with the General Optical Council
Partially deregulated profession
Must be dispensed by a registered optician:
People with complex prescription needs are advised to be
Blind (severely sight impaired)
Partially sighted patients (sight impaired)
Children
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

7. Optometrist Formerly called ophthalmic opticians
Examine eyes, give advice on visual problems
May prescribe and fit spectacles and contact lenses
Refer patients with eye disease to medics
Co-manage patients with eye problems
With additional training can prescribe ophthalmic drugs and treat common eye conditions without need to refer
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

8. Optometry Most optometrists work in high street practice
Others work in hospitals or research departments
Some optometrists are involved in management, professional services roles in industry, training and education
With the aging population and new treatments for eye disease putting pressure on the NHS optometry is expanding into roles traditionally the domain of ophthalmologists
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

9. Qualifying in optometry
Three A Levels including maths and physics or biology
Typical offer between BBB and AAA. Lower offers to applicants with work experience
Degree in optometry from Anglia, Aston, Bradford, Cardiff, City, Coleraine, Manchester, Plymouth, Glasgow (4 Years)
After obtaining a degree must then do pre-registration period and professional exams
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

10. Career prospects as an optometrist
Salaries and opportunities are greater in areas away from the main training universities
Pre-registration year: minimum wage (plus)
Newly qualified: £19k to £28k • Experienced: £30k to £55k
Own business / practice / partnership ?
Sociable hours and part-time opportunities make optometry attractive
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

11. Careers related to optics
Ophthalmologist
A medical doctor specialising in treating eye conditions and eye surgery
Orthoptist
Works alongside ophthalmologist assessing and treating squints, double vision and other anomalies of binocular vision
Ophthalmic nurse
Specialist nurse who assists ophthalmologists in the care of their patients
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

12. Useful websites and resources
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

13. Over to you! Do you have any questions?
Association of British Dispensing Opticians

14. Thank you for your attention
Association of British Dispensing Opticians