Comment: What women want

This week's issue features the results of research conducted by Optician and CIBA Vision into the role of women in optics.

Women now make up the majority of practising optometrists and account for the majority of students and a study of their role in optics was well overdue. Surprisingly, the findings make uncomfortable reading, but Optician has always accepted the role of asking difficult questions.

The research throws up the inevitable headlines such as salary levels which will be of interest to employers, but the raison d'etre of the research was to understand the wider issues.

Women have long been attracted to optics. It is a well paid, varied profession that lends itself to career breaks, flexible working and a good work/life balance. But this research shows that those factors that have feminised optics are still not enjoyed by most women.