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Join Optometry Scotland and reap the benefits of being a member of the representative body for Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians in Scotland.

Welcome to the Optometry Scotland website

We keep our members up to date on our ongoing activity through our website, our ‘Newsflash’ and regular email communication, as well as by attending events, meetings and keeping in regular contact with colleagues within the sector.

Our website informs Optometrists, Dispensing Opticians and Patients.

TELL OS

If you have something that you would like to #TellOS, we’d love to hear from you!

We want to ensure we’re providing the best possible support for our members so your feedback is essential in order for us to effectively represent our industry.

Any comments, recommendations of topics you’d like to see us focus on can be emailed to TellOS@optometryscotland.org.uk.

Particularly popular enquiries may be used to inform future content on the website with updates, so you can see some of the ways in which we’ve been representing members’ views.

Thank you for your continued support.

News

09/12/2019

Scotland’s only Ophthalmic Dispensing course returns to Glasgow in with industry support

A degree course in ophthalmic dispensing is making a welcome return to Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) in September 2020 as the industry seeks to attract new recruits into the profession. Ophthalmic dispensing is the study of ophthalmic appliances such as spectacles, low vision aids and contact lenses. GCU’s ‘Ophthalmic Dispensing Management’ course brings in a

05/12/2019

Modern apprenticeship Optical Assistant qualification (SCQF Level 5)

Optometry Scotland have been involved in the development and implementation of a new Modern Apprenticeship Optical Assistant qualification at SCQF level 5. This qualification is competency based and is aimed at new and existing unqualified staff. Funding is available for three age groups; 16-19, 20-24 and 25+ and all candidates will be funding checked by

03/12/2019

First candidates to sign up for Optical Assistant Modern Apprenticeship (SCQF level 5)

The first candidates signed up for the optical assistant modern apprenticeship today Specsavers Irvine. This branch is taking on three new candidates who will complete their modern apprenticeship in this practice. If you would like more information on the competency based qualification, would like to sign up or are an employer who would like to

Optometry Services in Scotland

Community Eyecare

Community eyecare saved the NHS £71million in 2016/17

Primary Examinations

1.8 million primary eye examinations completed in Scotland in 2016/17

Supplementary Exams

471,000 supplementary eye exams were carried out in 2016/17 (300% increase since pre-2006)

Issues Managed

Over 1 million eye issues managed as part of a primary eye examination in 2016/17

Eye Emergencies

Over 66% of supplementary eye exams carried out in the community are related to eye emergencies

Retained

Over 80% of eye emergencies were retained in the community setting in 2016/17, Vs 35% pre-General Ophthalmic Services (GOS)

Community Optometry

Community optometry stops over 370,000 people from attending hospital for eye issues per year

Acute Conditions

Over 80% of acute eye conditions were managed by optometrists in 2016/17, Vs 25% pre-GOS