Optometry Scotland is responsible for representing the views of the Optometry sector in Scotland
11/11/2025
Will you be attending the Scottish Optometry Awards this weekend?
Optometry Scotland is proud to be supporting the inaugural event, which will take place at the Glasgow Radisson Blu Hotel this Saturday evening. We can’t wait to celebrate the people and practices making a real difference in Scotland’s optical community.
The eveninVision Scotlande exceptional contributions across more than 10 award categories, from clinical excellence to innovation and sustainability, while raising funds for the Sight Saving Fund, helping deliver life-changing treatment to those who need it most.
Great to see our member Shaw Eyecare hosting Carol Mochan MSP at their practice this week!
It was a valuable opportunity to discuss how community optometry plays a vital role in tackling health inequalities, particularly in socially deprived areas
👏A big thank you to our members at Shaw Eyecare for continuing to champion the importance of accessible, local eye care.
07/11/2025
👁️ Optometry Scotland were pleased to attend the FTY Stakeholder Day at Stobhill Hospital, representing our members and seeing first-hand some of the impressive simulation equipment being used to train future optometrists in Scotland.
💡 It was great to experience the technology that will support students during their placement year and to hear how course development is progressing.
📚 Exciting times ahead for optometry education in Scotland!
06/11/2025
We’ve published our new Optometry Scotland Manifesto for 2026!
It outlines our priorities for the future of community eye care and how we can deliver sustainable, patient-centred services across Scotland.
The manifesto outlines three key priorities:
1. Protect sight. Prevent blindness. Deliver universal access.
2. Shift the balance of care. Invest in local, enhanced services.
3. Secure the future workforce and infrastructure.
A national strategy must be developed to train, recruit and retain optometrists, invest in digital and diagnostic technology and support the rollout of advanced imaging.
The Manifesto has been endorsed by optical bodies including the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), the Association of Optometrists (AOP), College of Optometrists, the Association for Eye Care Providers (FODO).
🔹 Community Glaucoma Service (CGS)
Now live in Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Lanarkshire, Dumfries & Galloway, and Lothian.
A new Delivery Board will oversee national rollout, aiming for all Boards (except Orkney) to be live by March 2026.
🔹 NESGAT Cohort 5
Applications open now until 31 December 2025 for Independent Prescribers in Ayrshire & Arran, Borders, Dumfries & Galloway, Grampian, Highland and Lothian.
Cohort 5 will run June 2026 – February 2027.
We were delighted to attend the Eastwood High School Careers Night in Newton Mearns on Thursday the 30th of October. A big thank you to the school for the warm welcome and to our members from Specsavers for joining us at the stand.
It was fantastic to see so many pupils and parents showing interest in optometry and the rewarding career opportunities within the profession.
💬 Please tell us in the comments what inspired your interest in optometry!
31/10/2025
NES releases FTY FAQs!
NES have published a new set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Optometry Foundation Training Year (FTY).
The resource covers key information for students, supervisors and practices.
Our new ‘Benefits of Dilation’ pack is now available for members!
The pack includes 2 A3 posters for your practice and ready-to-use social media video content to help spread awareness about the benefits of dilation for patients, aged 60 and over and how to prepare.
It also has a checklist of considerations for your patients to stay on top of their dilation appointment and is available in accessible formats for patients who experience low vision!
Dilation helps:
- Detect early signs of conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration
- Provide a more thorough view of the back of the eye
- Support better long-term eye health outcomes
📥 Log in to the members' area to download the pack and share with your patients. Together, we can raise awareness and encourage uptake of the NHS-funded eye exam:
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.
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:
Establishing clear aims objectives to the industry
Placing good communications and membership at the centre of our strategic plan
Securing the correct funding to facilitate our objectives
Work with industry stakeholders and the media to raise awareness of the importance of optometry in the primary care sector.
History
Through extensive negotiations, meetings, lobbying and sheer will and determination, our previous Chairmen Frank Munro, Hal Rollason and Donald Cameron led the newly formed Optometry Scotland to the introduction of the new GOS eye examination in April 2006. The introduction of the new structure of fees and standards heralded new levels of professional eye care which have become the envy of the optometry world and other professional health bodies who have learned from our experience and are now lobbying for funds. Our thanks to these pioneers of modern optometry in Scotland.
Function
Optometry Scotland is the sole negotiator for terms and conditions for the optical sector with the Scottish Government. A key aim is to negotiate the best possible fee structure in support of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians to allow them to continue to offer increasingly vital services within primary care.
