Optometry Scotland

Optometry Scotland Optometry Scotland is responsible for representing the views of the Optometry sector in Scotland

A huge thank you to Elaine Salina for visiting Braidwood Primary in Lanarkshire to speak with pupils about optometry.The...
28/02/2026

A huge thank you to Elaine Salina for visiting Braidwood Primary in Lanarkshire to speak with pupils about optometry.

The children were full of questions and clearly very keen to learn more about how we care for people’s vision and eye health. It is always inspiring to see that level of curiosity at such a young age.

Elaine, a former member and hospital optometrist, may now be retired, but she continues to give back to the profession by sharing her experience and encouraging the next generation.

Thank you, Elaine, for your continued support and for championing optometry in our communities.

Have you visited a local school or community group to talk about optometry? We would love to hear about it. Share your experiences in the comments or send us your photos so we can celebrate the fantastic work happening across Scotland.

New blog Alert! Lessons from Wales: Building a Community Low Vision Service in ScotlandWith low vision services referenc...
27/02/2026

New blog Alert! Lessons from Wales: Building a Community Low Vision Service in Scotland

With low vision services referenced in the recent Scottish Budget, our latest blog reflects on what Scotland can learn from the Welsh model, exploring how community based care improves access, supports independence and reduces pressure on hospital services.

Thank you to Optometry Wales for the 5 Nations Update, which enabled this reflection, and for sharing insight on the Welsh Low Vision Service.

Read more: https://optometryscotland.org.uk/2026/02/27/os-blog-lessons-from-wales-building-a-community-low-vision-service-in-scotland/

We are at Dynamic Earth today for the Scottish Liberal Democrats Conference!Optometry Scotland continues to work across ...
20/02/2026

We are at Dynamic Earth today for the Scottish Liberal Democrats Conference!

Optometry Scotland continues to work across Scotland’s political landscape to represent our members and champion community optometry. If you’re here, come and say hello.

Representing the interests of our members remains central to our work, as we champion sustainable funding, workforce development and the ongoing evolution of NHS-funded community eye care.

19/02/2026

Earlier this week, we shared the story of a patient whose Low Vision support meant he could return to watching his football team, a local and simple intervention that made a life-changing difference.

Most of us will recognise that experience, because stories like this are happening every day in practices across Scotland.

As Optometry Scotland continues its Low Vision campaign, we want to make sure that the real impact of community optometry is clearly understood by policymakers, stakeholders, and, as we approach the next Scottish election, by those shaping future health priorities.

If you or your team have supported patients through Low Vision services, whether helping someone return to a hobby, stay in work or simply manage day-to-day tasks, we’d like to hear from you.

These don’t need to be lengthy or detailed case reports. A short description of the challenge, the intervention and the outcome is often enough to demonstrate the value of this care.

If you’re willing to contribute a story, please get in touch with Optometry Scotland: office@optometryscotland.org.uk

Together, we can make sure the impact of Low Vision care is seen not just by our patients, but by those making decisions about eye care in Scotland.

As part of our Low Vision campaign, we want to highlight a real example shared in our recent op-ed, one that many optome...
17/02/2026

As part of our Low Vision campaign, we want to highlight a real example shared in our recent op-ed, one that many optometrists will recognise from their own practices.

The patient came in for an eye examination after noticing his distance vision had worsened. He mentioned, almost in passing, that he’d stopped going to watch his football team play. He could still make out the players on the pitch, but not the scores, the movement of the ball or any of the exciting moments that make live sport worthwhile.

On examination, his optometrist identified that his dry macular degeneration had progressed. It was clear that traditional optical correction wouldn’t restore what he’d lost. For many patients, that’s the point where they assume there are no more options.

But this patient lived in an area where community Low Vision support was available.

Instead of a referral and a long wait, the optometrist was able to assess him locally and trial a range of Low Vision aids straight away. Outside the practice, several handheld telescopes were tested in real-world conditions until the right option was found.

The device was prescribed, and the patient returned for review two months later.

His verdict? “Life-changing.”

He was back at the football again, able to see the scores, follow the action and enjoy something he thought was lost to him for good.

Without complex intervention or hospital care, a profound difference was made to one person’s independence and quality of life.

Stories like this underline what Low Vision services can achieve when they’re delivered locally and at the right time, and why ensuring access to them across Scotland must be a priority for the profession and for policymakers alike.

You can read more about the case for Community Low Vision Services in the full op-ed here: https://optometryscotland.org.uk/2026/02/09/the-case-for-community-based-low-vision-support/

Rare Disease Day shines a light on the millions of people living with rare, often complex and lifelong conditions.Many r...
16/02/2026

Rare Disease Day shines a light on the millions of people living with rare, often complex and lifelong conditions.

Many rare diseases have an impact on eye health, and community optometry plays an important role in early detection, timely referral and ongoing monitoring through regular NHS-funded eye examinations.

At Optometry Scotland, we continue to advocate for prevention, early intervention and local access to eye care, ensuring that people living with rare conditions can receive high-quality support as close to home as possible.

12/02/2026

“A small intervention delivered a profound impact on a patient’s quality of life.”

As part of our Low Vision campaign, our Vice Chair Richard Spruce has set out why Community Low Vision Services must be a priority for the profession, and for policymakers, as we approach the next Scottish election. Some of you may have seen the article in last Friday’s The Times.

The piece looks at the growing prevalence of Low Vision in Scotland, the ongoing pressure on NHS eye care services and why community optometry is central to delivering care closer to home.

It also shares a patient story that brings the issue to life, showing how timely Low Vision support, delivered at a local level, can make a meaningful difference to everyday independence and quality of life.

With the Scottish Budget reinforcing the need for reform and community-based delivery, the case for a national Community Low Vision Service is both practical and timely.

Read and share the full article here: https://optometryscotland.org.uk/2026/02/09/the-case-for-community-based-low-vision-support/

A big well done to our 2020 Opticians Duncan & Todd team who attended the Careers and Pathways Evening at Hermitage Acad...
11/02/2026

A big well done to our 2020 Opticians Duncan & Todd team who attended the Careers and Pathways Evening at Hermitage Academy in January!

The team did a brilliant job promoting careers in optometry and audiology, chatting to pupils about real world pathways into the profession and helping inspire the next generation of eye and hearing care professionals.

Great to see our members out in the community championing the profession. Well done team.

One of the most important early signs of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) is distorted vision, often starting in o...
10/02/2026

One of the most important early signs of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration) is distorted vision, often starting in one eye.

Look at something you know is straight, like a door frame or window blinds. If straight lines start to look wavy, bent or distorted, book an appointment with your community optometrist. New distortion can be a sign of wet AMD. The sooner it is picked up, the better the chance of treatment slowing further vision loss.

Speak to your community optometrist if changes in vision are affecting daily life. Early advice and support can make a meaningful difference!

Today, Optometry Scotland is launching a new campaign highlighting the critical role of Low Vision care within community...
09/02/2026

Today, Optometry Scotland is launching a new campaign highlighting the critical role of Low Vision care within community optometry, and why this issue must be high on the healthcare agenda as we move towards the next Scottish election.

Low Vision already affects more than 180,000 people in Scotland, a figure set to rise sharply over the next decade. As optometrists, we see first-hand how profoundly vision loss impacts independence and quality of life, and how fast-acting community-based intervention can be genuinely life changing.

Against the backdrop of a Scottish Budget that continues to reflect intense pressure on NHS capacity, it is clear that hospital-led models alone cannot meet rising demand.

Scotland’s community optometry model is already world leading. The next logical step is ensuring equitable and national access to Community Low Vision Services.

Over the coming weeks, we encourage members to engage with the campaign, share insights with colleagues and ensure teams are fully clued up on the importance of Low Vision care as part of modern optometry practice. This will culminate in our Low Vision exhibition on 24-25 March. More details on that to follow soon…

Address

Glasgow

Telephone

+447917701761

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Optometry Scotland posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category

OPTOMETRY SCOTLAND

ADVANCING WORLD CLASS EYE CARE IN SCOTLAND

We are a not-for-profit organisation and the only representative of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians to the Scottish Government

Mission Statement & Objectives

Our mission is to advance world class eye care in Scotland. We will achieve this aim by: