There were approximately 20 thousand optometrists in employment in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2024. Optometrists, who hold a degree in optometry, are also known as ophthalmic opticians. But unlike dispensing opticians, optometrist are qualified to perform eye tests and write prescriptions. The number of optometrists has undergone some fluctuations over the time period.
Dispensing opticians in the UK
In 2023, there were approximately 6.3 thousand dispensing opticians in employment in the United Kingdom. This is the lowest number of dispensing opticians since 2015. A dispensing optician is different from an optometrist as they do not test people’s eyesight but advise on and supply spectacles and other visual aids to those who need it.
Comparison to European countries
The UK has quite a low number of opticians per 10,000 population when compared to other European countries. In 2020, there were just over one optician per 10,000 people in the UK, while France had 5.55 per 10,000 which was the highest in Europe. Additionally, the UK had 1.2 optician retail outlets per 10,000 population, which again ranks it low in comparison to the rest of Europe. Cyprus had the highest density of outlets at 2.69 per 10,000 population.
Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024
(in 1,000)
As of March each year. *Previous reports referred to "2213 Ophthalmic opticians". Source created new occupation classifications in 2021, therefore from 2022 onwards "2252 Optometrists" was used. According to "nationalcareers.service.gov.uk" An optometrist, trained in optometry, is also known as an ophthalmic optician, which is not the same as a dispensing optician.
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Office for National Statistics (UK). (October 16, 2024). Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000)." Chart. October 16, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). (2024). Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 25, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK). "Annual Number of Optometrists/Ophthalmic Opticians in The United Kingdom (Uk) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000)." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Oct 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/
Office for National Statistics (UK), Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/ (last visited November 25, 2024)
Annual number of optometrists/ophthalmic opticians in the United Kingdom (UK) from 2010 to 2024 (in 1,000) [Graph], Office for National Statistics (UK), October 16, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/318879/numbers-of-ophthalmic-opticians-in-the-uk/
