View from the College of Optometrists: Foresight Project

Not surprisingly, the Foresight Project report predicts that both the profession and clinical practice will be transformed by new technologies and treatments as well as patients’ ability to self-diagnose. How can optometrists prepare for these changes?

As a first step, I think it’s important to consider learning as a key and continuing part of professional life. Many optometrists have already embraced continual learning; the College’s recent Optical Workforce Survey (OWS) revealed that half of the optometrist respondents had one additional qualification and a quarter had between two and seven additional qualifications. The survey also showed 58% of respondents had a special clinical area of interest within optometry.