Ophthalmic nurse

See how to become a ophthalmic nurse with our career guide

What is an Ophthalmic Nurse?

An ophthalmic nurse provides holistic nursing care to people with eye conditions and also to people with a visual impairment.

What does an Ophthalmic Nurse do?

The ophthalmic nurse has many roles caring for people of all age groups in hospitals and the community. For example, ophthalmic nurses advise patients about their eye health, eye drops and how to manage their wellbeing. Patients and their family are cared for before, during and following procedures, operations and outpatient clinic visits. Ophthalmic nurses have particular expertise in caring for people with a visual impairment.

What do you get from this role?

It is a privilege to look after someone who may be feeling vulnerable because of treatment for their eye condition or due to temporary or permanent visual impairment.

There are opportunities to undertake further university education in ophthalmic nursing which facilitates progression into careers such as advanced ophthalmic nurse practitioner, and into management, research, education roles.

What do you need to apply?

Entry requirements for nursing degree courses vary because each university sets its own entry criteria, but you are likely to need at usually three A-levels, Highers, or equivalent qualifications at Level 3, plus supporting GCSEs including English, maths, and a science (usually biology or human biology).

Courses often specify preferred or essential A level, Higher, or equivalent subjects, such as one science (for example biology) or social science (for example psychology). Some universities offer courses with a foundation year for those without the necessary entry qualifications.

What skills do you need?

Communication skills, empathy, understanding and ability to think about the person as an individual.

What does your working day look like?

Ophthalmic nursing is so varied no two days are the same. The working day depends on the ophthalmic clinical area, so it could be working shifts in wards or in clinics or operating theatres. Read about a day in the life of an Ophthalmic Nurse who cares for patients with eye cancer.

FAQs

Careers in eyecare FAQsI’ve been to the optician’s and it looks like it might be an interesting place to work. What are my options?There are a number of people who work in an optical practice: the optometrist, the dispensing optician, and usually a number of optical assistants or receptionists. In some practices you will also … Continue reading FAQs

Specsavers

Campaign aim: to attract teens to become an optometrist with Specsavers Lucy Knock Early Careers Manager says “Specsavers is delighted to work with the Careers in Eyecare Campaign, which we hope will inspire more young people to become opticians. We’re keen on sharing the hidden secrets of the fantastic opportunities we have in our industry … Continue reading Specsavers

About Careers in Eyecare

Award-winning careers support and advice About Careers in Eyecare Discover the range of careers offering eyewear and eyecare. Careers in Eyecare is a cross sector initiative to highlight the range of careers in eye care and eye wear. The Careers in Eyecare campaign highlights the range of clinical, fashion, design, technical and retail roles available. … Continue reading About Careers in Eyecare

ABDO College

ABDO College offers you and your team courses which allow every staff member to advance. Start with the Optical Assistant course for a great introduction to optics, as well as an ideal way to formalise knowledge gained in practice. Move on to the Senior Optical Assistant course to develop and grow your knowledge and broaden … Continue reading ABDO College

Work with Careers in Eyecare

Careers in Eyecare is a cross sector initiative to highlight the range of careers in eye care and eye wear. The award-winning campaign was launched by the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO) in 2020. Nick Walsh of ABDO says, “Careers in Eyecare was born from a desire to do more to raise awareness of … Continue reading Work with Careers in Eyecare

Career guides

Brighten Your Future With Careers In Eyecare Did you know? Careers in eyecare offer a lot of potential to young people. Open your eyes to the possibilities… Careers for everyone There are many interesting careers in eyecare and eye wear, with entry at all levels. Whatever your background and interests, you can take your next … Continue reading Career guides