College welcomes record number of new optometrists

A record number of newly qualified optometrists were welcomed into the profession during a ceremony in London last week.

The College of Optometrists welcomed 335 newly qualified optometrists – the highest number to date and up from 298 last year.

The news follows an investigation by Optician last week that found increased student intake at all but one of the UK universities running optometry courses. A new course at the University of Hertford beginning this year and another slated for the University of Portsmouth will also increase the flow of new optometrists into the profession.