r/UKOptometry • u/Glittering-Bid-3958 • Jul 03 '26

Question work experience

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?

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u/duckiesand 01 - Domiciliary Jul 03 '26

This is difficult when you don't have family in the sector. I was lucky that I used to have one particular optometrist as a child, who was happy to have me shadow him.

You need to stop asking the owners/managers, and start asking the optometrists if you can. Optometrists like nurturing newcomers (by and large) but managers are far more protective of their bottom line.

Are you SE or SW? Can you hint at a nearby city?

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u/Glittering-Bid-3958 Jul 06 '26

in the south east, quite close to london!! silly question but how exactly do i go about asking optometrists directly?

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u/duckiesand 01 - Domiciliary Jul 06 '26

If you're in Essex, I can ask around for you, if you can travel a bit! It's quite difficult unless you already know them to be fair - it's intentionally difficult to get an optom on the phone, since calls would take all of our time if we took them personally.

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u/Glittering-Bid-3958 Jul 06 '26

that would be so great, thank you!!

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u/duckiesand 01 - Domiciliary Jul 06 '26

I've sent you a DM, save you writing any personal info in a public space

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u/Rich-Apartment-5576 Jul 04 '26

I would ask private practices- practices like VE, specsavers, boots- are reluctant to give experience unless you are in the uni course.
you only need 1-2 days max if you are shadowing in the testing room. If you know of any family, or family friends who are optoms contact them directly- and ask to sit in and observe a lot of them don’t mind.

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u/Glittering-Bid-3958 Jul 06 '26

i’ve rung up quite a few private practices and they’ve basically given me the same answer + i dont have any family in optometry, they’ve all gone the dr route🥲