Read our response to Healthcare Improvement Scotland's Clinical Governance Standards
Our response focuses on the inclusion of representatives from primary care providers, including optometry, at earlier stages to ensure the standards are suitable for the optometry field and our members.
Optometry Scotland has submitted our response to Public Health Scotlandโs Shaping Our Strategy 2025-35!
Our response highlights key areas, such as opportunities for collaboration with the NHS and how Public Health Strategy is integral in shaping optometry!
The Scottish Optometry Awards are coming this November, and weโre thrilled to be part of it. Hosted by Vision Scotland, this special evening will honour the incredible work happening across optometry and the wider optical sector, while supporting the Sight Saving Fund to deliver life-changing treatment.
With over 10 categories, thereโs an award for every corner of our profession. Whether itโs your own achievements or those of a colleague, nowโs the time to put in a nomination. The form is quick and easy to fill out, and the deadline for submission is 1st October.
A big welcome to Roisin Finnon, our new Administration and Communications Coordinator!
Roisin will be supporting our members and the work of Optometry Scotland, Monday to Friday. If youโd like to get in touch, you can reach her at roisin@optometryscotland.org.uk
Weโre delighted to have her join the team.
26/08/2025
Response to the Long-Term Conditions Framework!
Following our consultation response to the Scottish Governmentโs Long Term Conditions Framework, Association of Optometrists (AOP) have issued a statement in support of Optometry Scotlandโs response.
Optometry Scotland are excited to be supporting the inaugural Scottish Optometry Awards in November!
Hosted by Vision Scotland and the SOC - Scottish Optical Conference, the event will celebrate the achievements of Scotlandโs optometrists and the wider optical industry, as well as acting as a fundraiser for the Sight Saving Fund, helping bring vital treatment to those who need it the most. Whatโs more, Optometry Scotlandโs Chair, Eilidh Thomson, will be on the judging panel.
Nominations are now open, and with over ten award categories, thereโs a breadth of opportunities available for everyone. The nomination form is quick and simple, make sure to nominate yourself or other OS members here: https://visionscotland.com/scottish-optometry-awards/
The recording is now available on YouTube, covering updates on ๐๐ข๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฆ (๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐น ๐ข๐ฝ๐ต๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ฆ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐น๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐), ๐ป๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ต๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐ฐ๐น๐ฎ๐ถ๐บ๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐บ๐, and ๐๐ง๐ฅ.
Please note the previous link is no longer active โ watch here instead: link in comments
11/08/2025
Eye care can be delivered more cost-effectively and closer to home!
In The Scotsman this weekend, Optometry Scotlandโs Chair, Eilidh Thomson, made the case for expanding community optometry services. With the right support from the Scottish Government, we can improve access to eye care, reduce pressure on hospital services, and make care more affordable for everyone.
๐จ๐ฝ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
Following the eOphthalmic Web Form updates on 1 August 2025, the schedule close date has been extended by ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐ต๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐.
If you are experiencing issues with submitting claims and havenโt been in touch yet, please email ๐ป๐๐.๐ฝ๐๐ฑ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ต๐๐ต๐ฎ๐น๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ@๐ป๐ต๐.๐๐ฐ๐ผ๐
09/08/2025
๐ Meet Eilidh, Chair of Optometry Scotland, and a passionate advocate for accessible, high-quality eye care.
Eilidh is an Independent Prescribing and NESGAT optometrist at Black & Lizars, Edinburgh, and works within the professional services team. We asked her a few quickfire questions for our latest spotlightโฆ
๐ The best thing about working in optometry?
โI love meeting people from all walks of life and using my skills to help solve their problems. Whether itโs a vision concern or a general health issue, itโs incredibly satisfying to listen, understand, and make a real difference.โ
๐ What I wish more people knew about community eye care:
โWeโre the first port of call for any eye or vision problem in Scotland. Itโs surprising how many still go to the GP or pharmacist first โ but optometrists are here, equipped and ready to help.โ
๐ง Favourite part of the job:
โThe problem solving. When things arenโt straightforward, you have to think differently to find a solution that works for the patient. It keeps you sharp and never gets boring!โ
โ๏ธ Caffeine order:
โAlways a cup of tea first thing โ except Fridays, when we treat ourselves to a latte from the coffee shop next door. Iโm always in early, tea in hand, planning my clinic for the day ahead.โ
๐ One thing Iโm passionate about in eye care:
โMaking sure everyone has equitable access to the brilliant eye care system we have here in Scotland.โ
โ๏ธ If I hadnโt chosen optometryโฆ
โIโd have probably gone into law โ it was my original plan. But Iโm so glad I made the switch!โ
Thanks Eilidh, for your dedication, hard work and passion. The expertise and leadership you bring to OS is second to none.
Following feedback from Scottish Government and Health Board Optometric Advisors, it has been agreed that the ๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ (๐๐๐) will continue to be available on eyes.nhs.scot.
Over the coming weeks, they will move to a new location on the site, with disclaimers reminding users that the guidance has not been reviewed for several years. Please take time to read these carefully and consider the guidance alongside current clinical best practice.
NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) will begin reviewing all 100+ CEG, starting with those linked to the ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐๐.
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We are a not-for-profit organisation and the only representative of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians to the Scottish Government
Mission Statement & Objectives
Our mission is to advance world class eye care in Scotland. We will achieve this aim by:
Establishing clear aims objectives to the industry
Placing good communications and membership at the centre of our strategic plan
Securing the correct funding to facilitate our objectives
Work with industry stakeholders and the media to raise awareness of the importance of optometry in the primary care sector.
History
Through extensive negotiations, meetings, lobbying and sheer will and determination, our previous Chairmen Frank Munro, Hal Rollason and Donald Cameron led the newly formed Optometry Scotland to the introduction of the new GOS eye examination in April 2006. The introduction of the new structure of fees and standards heralded new levels of professional eye care which have become the envy of the optometry world and other professional health bodies who have learned from our experience and are now lobbying for funds. Our thanks to these pioneers of modern optometry in Scotland.
Function
Optometry Scotland is the sole negotiator for terms and conditions for the optical sector with the Scottish Government. A key aim is to negotiate the best possible fee structure in support of Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians to allow them to continue to offer increasingly vital services within primary care.
