Five careers for an Optometry graduate

An Optometry degree is the pathway to a rewarding future in eyecare. You could work on the high street, in hospitals, in clinics or in research.

Here are five exciting jobs you could move toward after graduating:

Optometrist

Improve sight and eye health every day.

Optometrists examine eyes and check vision. You test sight, prescribe glasses or contact lenses, and look for signs of eye disease. Many optometrists work in high street or independent practices.

Responsibilities include:

• carrying out eye examinations
• prescribing glasses and contact lenses
• spotting (and potentially managing) conditions like glaucoma or cataract
• referring patients to hospital when needed
• building long-term patient relationships

You can complete extra qualifications to be able to prescribe medicines.

With experience, you could become a franchisee or business owner of your own practice. You could also specialise in community eye disease care.

Hospital Optometrist

Treat eye conditions in hospital.

Hospital optometrists work with patients who have complex eye problems. You work closely with ophthalmologists, orthoptists and ophthalmic nurses to give specialist care.

Responsibilities include:

• managing glaucoma and medical retina patients
• fitting complex contact lenses
• working with children in paediatric clinics
• supporting patients with low vision
• monitoring eye disease treatment
• using advanced hospital equipment

With experience, you could become a lead specialist. Some optometrists train to use lasers in clinics.

Refractive Surgery Optometrist

Help people choose life-changing laser surgery.

Refractive surgery optometrists work in private clinics. You assess patients who want laser eye surgery or lens replacement. You help decide if surgery is safe and suitable.

Responsibilities include:

• carrying out detailed eye scans and measurements
• explaining different surgery options
• checking if patients are eligible
• supporting patients before and after surgery
• monitoring healing after procedures
• working with eye surgeons
• using advanced imaging technology

You usually need clinical experience before moving into this role.

With experience, you could become a clinical lead. You could also move into training or clinic management.

Research Optometrist

Discover new ways to protect people’s sight

Research optometrists help improve eye care in the future. You may work for universities or companies that design contact lenses, glasses lenses or eye medicines.

Responsibilities include:

• collecting and analysing patient data
• running clinical trials
• testing new contact lenses
• working with research teams
• writing reports and presenting findings at meetings
• helping design new eye care products

You may choose to study for a PhD. With experience, you could lead research projects.

You could also work in industry development roles.

Paediatric Contact Lens Specialist

Change a child’s life from the very start.

Some optometrists specialise in babies and children. You might fit contact lenses for newborn or premature babies, or support children with complex vision needs.

Responsibilities include:

• fitting tiny, specialist contact lenses
• working in neonatal or paediatric clinics
• supporting families and carers
• managing long-term childhood conditions
• monitoring vision development
• adapting lenses as children grow

You will need further specialist training for this role.

With experience, you could become a paediatric lead clinician. You could also specialise further in childhood eye disease.

Our Optometry degree prepares you for professional practice from day one. You'll graduate with career-ready skills and confidence, all set to register with the General Optical Council.