How To Gamify Your UK Optometry Journey

Honestly why do people spend hours playing games? Seems like a huge waste of time, strain on their relationship and physically damaging thing to do.

Simple. Games have unpredictability, progression, new challenges, and rewards.

Your optometry job? Same level. Same boss. Same patients. Same routine... No wonder 1/7 optometrists consider leaving the profession entirely: we're burnt out! Our brains are literally starving for stimulation.

But here's what the smart optometrists have figured out: You can game-ify your career, then work becomes addictive in the BEST way.

Think about it as levels:

LEVEL 1: Newly qualified optom → Master routine eye tests

LEVEL 2: Get confidence with foreign body removals → Unlock a 'surgical' skill

LEVEL 3: Med ret/PC Glaucoma → Unlock ability to interpret complex cases

LEVEL 4...

See the difference? Instead of being stuck in the same role forever, you're constantly progressing. Each new skill means new opportunities, new challenges, and new rewards.

Most optoms get it wrong, thinking progression means "climbing the corporate ladder" (Optom → Lead Optom → Store Owner/Director). That's boring for most, and most optometrists don't like sales. Real progression means expanding your capabilities: not just your job title.

But truthfully employed optometry is restricted: I like locuming - here's the skill ladder

LEVEL 1: Build clinical confidence & speed to locum

LEVEL 2: Cut down hours, or take the leap fully

LEVEL 3: Setup Self-employed & register with locum agencies

LEVEL 4: Do your first locum shift, earning your first £ yourself without an employer!

LEVEL 5: Finish your first locum shift in a new company

LEVEL 6: Do your first £500/day shift

And theres so much more!

On top of that: you choose where, when and what rate to work for. Variety, exploration and progression.

Stop playing other people's games.