Optometry Scotland (OS), the representative body for optical professionals, has published its Workforce Preliminary Report with key insights into the current optometry landscape in Scotland.
Conducted in late 2024, the independent survey gathered responses from a range of more than 300 optical practices across the country.
These survey results were combined with data from other organisations such as the General Optical Council, The College of Optometrists and NHS Scotland, in an effort to understand the trends and challenges facing the industry.
One of the major findings of the report was a vacancy rate of 10.3% within the profession, with the subsequent locum cover to make up for this representing 21% of the weekly workforce. While this vacancy rate is on par with the NHS Scotland average of 10.6%, it is higher than the medical and dental staff average of 8.2%.
Furthermore, as nearly 29% of optometrists plan to reduce their hours in the next couple of years, this figure could be affected even further. Factors such as work-life balance and stress were cited as primary reasons for the reduced capacity.
Training capacity was noted with the potential to expand, with practices currently providing 144 pre-registration placements, 57% of which being supervised by Independent Prescribing (IP) trained professionals.
Despite potential for expansion of training schemes, factors such as rural locations, testing spaces and reliance on locum cover present barriers.
Other key findings highlighted how changing demographics are likely to impact future demand and attrition in optometry.
With the proportion of the Scottish population aged 65 or older expected to grow by nearly a third by 2045, eye disease prevalence is expected to rise concurrently. Regional and demographic disparities, particularly in rural areas, may impact the ability to meet this changing demand.
These findings make it clear that the current workforce model in optometry needs to be reviewed, in order to meet shifts in current workforce patterns and an expected rise in patient demand.
OS’ report lays out the areas it will investigate further to ensure robust workforce planning, including benchmarking against workforce data from other regions and professions and conducting a more detailed analysis of optometrist attrition rates.
The Workforce Preliminary Report marks the beginning of a wider effort to address workforce challenges, and OS intends to go into further depth by commissioning a more comprehensive research project. This project will continue to engage with external agencies and collate data from across the profession.
Eilidh Thomson, chair of OS, said: “We are pleased to release the Workforce Preliminary Report and share our findings with optometry professionals and patients alike. There are macro factors that need to be understood by the industry as a whole, such as in training and vacancy rates, in order to sustain future demand.
“This report is only the start of Optometry Scotland’s broader aim to research workforce trends and challenges, in order to develop an extensive understanding of our industry’s needs going forward.”