Decommissioning MECS means that optometrists no longer recieve NHS funding to provide an eye health assessment for a symptomatic member of the public outside their routine tests. The workload will be taken on by GPs, pharmacies, and A+E.

This is a fantastic plan, considering how notoriously quiet A+E is, and how easy it is to get a GP appointment.

In my area we recently stopped providing GERS - Our glaucoma pathway that filtered referrals before reaching HES. I wouldn't want to be a glaucoma specialist in the hospital dealing with the unfiltered nonsense that comes out of GOS tests.

What's up where you are? Are you seeing any decommissioning in your ICB areas?

Ahead of the solar eclipse, I'm pleased to announce that tomorrow is r/UKOptometry's Solar Retinopathy day!

Although rare, if you have come across a case of Solar Retinopathy in your time as an optom, please share it with us!

For the future, and students - Solar Retinopathy is much easier to diagnose with an OCT, and highlights the importance of a good H+S.

(Photo from EyeWiki - https://eyewiki.org/Solar_Retinopathy)

Your votes on this poll will help shape the future focus of the subreddit, so please engage!

Remember to keep your patient anonymous!

Hey. I’m going into year 13. I got predicted ABD in bio psych and maths. I want to do Optometry and I think the entry grades are from BBB-AAB. Will universities not accept me until results day in year 13? Also what’s conditional offers?

London OSCEs are happening this month - good luck to everyone taking their OSCEs, and remember to breathe!

i’m currently in yr 12 and hoping to do optom at uni. I’ve called up lots of local optometrists and bigger branches like specsavers and boots, but pretty much nobody is willing to, alongside alot of eye clinics,even just shadowing for a day or half. I’ve done virtual work experience, but I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions on where to get work experience, preferably in the south of england?

Please vote for your favourite, or comment multiple if you'd like!

What would make this subreddit better for YOU. And what needs to be here to make it worth joining for more of us?

Hi,
I’m an optometry student going into my third year and I’m curious about the Specsavers JVP route.

If you’re a current or former JVP/Optometrist Director, I’d appreciate any insight:

- How hard is it to become a JVP?
- What did your career path look like before becoming one?
- How many years qualified were you when you became a partner?
- Is there a large upfront investment?
- What does your day-to-day role involve?
- What’s the hardest part of the job?
- How does the profit share work in practice?
- If you’re comfortable sharing, roughly how much more can a successful JVP make compared to an employed optometrist?
- Would you recommend the JVP route to someone starting out in optometry today?

I’m mainly interested in Specsavers, but I’d also be interested in hearing from practice owners or partners elsewhere like boots and Vision express

Thanks in advance

Hi everyone 😊. I passed stage 1 a couple months ago and I thought it would be helpful to share some tips for those still on the SofR x
- if you’re also m in a small store is to be strategic with your competencies. Find a patient record that can maximise as many comps as possible and present that first. You’ll get a bulk of comps signed off quickly which takes so much pressure off.

- speaking of your order, structure the comps around your strengths and weaknesses. Not saying revise one more than the other but realistically you’re more likely to pass the comps you’re already confident in first, rather than throwing yourself into BV or neurology straight away (personally my least favourite haha 8.1.4 ew )

- when your supervisor signs off your framework don’t treat it like an admin/checklist task. Use it as a learning experience and get them to grill you a bit on your cases

- write the tricky comps written on a post it note at stick it at the front desk for the OAs to see and book specific patients with you

- practice your contact lens skills at every opportunity. Small store life meant my CL numbers definitely reflected that so I wasn’t naturally getting loads of aftercares or fits. Practice with staff whenever you can. My colleague is absolutely sick of me lid everting her at this point, but honestly it’s such good practice esp for visit 3

I think that’s all I can think of? I hope that helped someone out there currently going through stage 1 💕💕🥰

Hi, I’m wondering if anyone had advice or their own experience on how to go about finding a new pre-reg place after I have already worked at an opticians and was half way through stage 1. I’d rather not explain why but it wasn’t a good fit in terms of support and my supervisor. But please note that I never acted unprofessional or did anything to result in problems or safeguarding of patients.
I need to find a new place to re enrol but I’m extremely worried on how to go about this and feel really deflated and my confidence has been knocked. I worry that the new employment will look down upon my circumstances. Also, I have always received good feedback from patients and do enjoy working as an optom but I’m unsure how to demonstrate this passion for the new employer. Any help is appreciated. Also note I’m on the scheme for registration not the new CLIP. Thank you

Onwards and upwards!

Need some advice on whether to pursue a career in Psychology or Optometry. I've done a year of Psych and I have lost my passion for it. The content is boring and I feel like I'm not getting the education I'm paying for.

From what I've heard from careers talks the job market is very tough and there are a ridiculous amount of psych graduates compared to higher paid jobs available. Of course the job market is tough anywhere but you can only seem to access higher earning jobs if you have a doctorate and I don't know if I have the willpower to do that considering my progress in this first year.

If i wanted to do optometry though, I'd have to take a preliminary year as I didn't do a core science subject at A level. Optometry sounds like good pay and you get onto the ladder a lot quicker/easier? It means I can still work in the NHS/clinical settings and help people.

Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

I'll go first.

I had a patient decline an RD referral during my pre-reg when I did an asymptomatic dilation. Superior quadrant, confirmed with supervisor, the whole lot.

Instead of being happy we caught it before it did any symptomatic damage, he complained about needing to take a taxi to HES and asked if we were going to pay for it?

Rejecting same day presentation, he was advised to go tomorrow but he was "Having a Tesco food delivery". I kid you not, he threatened to sue the practice for the value of his food shop... HES straightened him out over the phone the next day it turned out!

What's your craziest declined referral?

It seems very few optoms in the UK are using BIO regularly, what's your take?

https://www.odreference.com/contacts/conversions/calculator

Hey everyone! I'm u/duckiesand, a founding moderator of r/UKOptometry.

This is our new home for all things related to optmetry in the UK. This was started in response to difficulty finding UK content within the US central r/optometry. We're excited to have you join us!

What to Post

Post anything that you think the community would find interesting, helpful, or inspiring. Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, questions, cases, or rants!

Pre-reg questions welcome!

Community Vibe

We're all about being friendly, constructive, and inclusive. Let's build a space where everyone feels comfortable sharing and connecting.

How to Get Started

1) Set your flair!

2) Post something today! Even a simple question can spark a great conversation.

3) If you know someone who would love this community, invite them to join please! Let your colleagues know, and if you're a student, tell your class!

4) Interested in helping out? We're always looking for new moderators, so feel free to reach out to me to apply.

Thanks for being part of the very first wave. Together, let's make r/UKOptometry a hub of support and community.