The Optom Coach

16
Dec

UK Optometrists - Is The Independent Prescribing (IP) Qualification Worth It?

It’s a question we’ve heard countless times in our profession. After seeing many colleagues put in the time
2 min read
16
Dec

UK Locum Optometrists: How To Tighten A Loose Volk Lens

Ever felt that sinking feeling when you pick up your trusty Volk lens and hear that tell-tale rattle? It'
1 min read
16
Dec

90D vs. Digital Wide Field: Which Volk Lens Should You Reach For As A UK Optometrist?

It’s the debate heard in every staff room and CET event across the UK: Which Volk lens is truly
2 min read
16
Dec

UK Optometrists & Locums: Stop Letting Inflation Erode Your Hard-Earned Savings

For many optometrists in the UK, the "safe" move has always been to stack savings in a high-street
2 min read
16
Dec

Sole Trader or Limited Company? The Financial Crossroads for UK Locum Optometrists

For a UK locum optometrist earning a standard rate of £300 per day, the decision between becoming a sole trader
2 min read
16
Dec

UK Locums: The £0 Fundoscopy Lens: How to Save Your Clinic (and Your Sanity)

We’ve all been there. You’re just about to perform fundoscopy, you click open your Volk case, and... it’
2 min read
16
Dec

UK Locum Optoms: This Is The Most Overlooked Number On The Slip...

We’ve all been there: You’re halfway through a busy clinic, you glance at the autorefractor printout to check
1 min read
16
Dec

The Retinoscopy Rack: The Missing Tool in the Modern UK Locum Optometry Practice

If you aren't using a retinoscopy rack, you are likely working harder than necessary. Despite being one of
2 min read
16
Dec

The Best £10 a UK Locum Optometrist Will Ever Spend: Why a Mini Screwdriver Kit is a Game-Changer

You walk into a new practice, ready for a productive day, and the first thing you notice is a wobbly
2 min read
16
Dec

UK Locum Optometrists: Is Your Near Vision Card Secretly Slowing You Down?

While standard N-point or Times Roman cards have been our go-to for decades, they are often inefficient and can be
2 min read
16
Dec

Newly Qualified UK Optometrist? Don’t Just Survive Your "Tie-In" Year—Master It.

You’ve done it. You’ve signed the contract, you’re officially a fully qualified UK optometrist, and you’re
2 min read
16
Dec

Navigating Your Career Path as a Newly Qualified UK Optometrist In 2026

Congratulations on qualifying. You have reached the starting line of a diverse and rewarding profession. However, you are likely noticing
2 min read
16
Dec

The Newly Qualified UK Optometrist Numbers You MUST Know in 2026

You’ve finally secured your GOC number. The hard part is over, but a new challenge begins: determining your true
2 min read
16
Dec

Newly Qualified UK Optoms: Don’t Believe the Equipment Hype

Are we newly qualified and convinced we need to remortgage our houses for the latest name-brand kit? That initial worry—
1 min read
16
Dec

From Burnout to Breaking Point: Why 1 in 2 UK Optometrists Can No Longer Cope

When the General Optical Council (GOC) released its 2024 study, the industry was shaken. The "bombshell" stat was
2 min read