College of Optometrists
Encyclopedia
The College of Optometrists is the professional, scientific and examining body for optometry
in the United Kingdom
, working for the public benefit.
and the Scottish Association of Opticians (both of which were disbanded) and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
which surrendered its examining function to the new College. The College was granted a Royal Charter on 18 September 1995. This was celebrated at Guildhall on 25 January 1996 and attended by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester and members of the college and guests.
Shortly before its formal foundation, the College was based at 10 Knaresborough Place in Earls Court, London. The College moved to its current headquarters in Craven Street in 1997. The College also provides the accommodation and Secretariat for the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO).
Optometry
Optometry is a health care profession concerned with eyes and related structures, as well as vision, visual systems, and vision information processing in humans. Optometrists, or Doctors of Optometry, are state licensed medical professionals trained to prescribe and fit lenses to improve vision,...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, working for the public benefit.
History
It was established in 1980 by three separate bodies, the former British Optical AssociationBritish Optical Association
The British Optical Association was founded in 1895 as the first professional body for ophthalmic opticians in the world. It ran the first professional examinations in optics in 1896 and provided the Secretariat for a number of other optical bodies including what would eventually become the...
and the Scottish Association of Opticians (both of which were disbanded) and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London, UK.The Company was founded by a Royal Charter of Charles I in 1629 AD; it was granted the status of a Livery Company in 1809...
which surrendered its examining function to the new College. The College was granted a Royal Charter on 18 September 1995. This was celebrated at Guildhall on 25 January 1996 and attended by HRH the Duchess of Gloucester and members of the college and guests.
Shortly before its formal foundation, the College was based at 10 Knaresborough Place in Earls Court, London. The College moved to its current headquarters in Craven Street in 1997. The College also provides the accommodation and Secretariat for the World Council of Optometry (WCO) and the European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO).