04 June 2026
Many optical professionals will be able to pinpoint a moment that made them appreciate the multitude of possibilities contained within a career in optics.
Whether this takes the form of a lightbulb moment during a continuing professional development session or a conversation with a colleague in another role, chance interactions can help to reinforce the scope of opportunities available within the profession.
For those practitioners who are motivated to change career direction or expand the scope of their role, how can they transform daydreams into a reality?
OT spoke with optical professionals in a range of roles for insight on their own professional development journeys.
Always learning
Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians group manager and dispensing optician, Ella McCormack, told OT that she was initially uncertain about what she wanted from her career when she took up her first role in optics after completing a degree in English Literature and Media Studies.
“When I started at Bainbridge, I was certain it would be a stop-gap whilst I figured things out. However, I hit the ground running with an optical assistant course through Anglia Ruskin University,” she recalled.
McCormack later upskilled with a City & Guilds certificate in diabetic retinopathy screening.
“When I was offered the dispensing optician course, I knew that was what I wanted to focus on. As my confidence and ability grew, I became practice manager of Redditch, and then group manager,” she shared.
McCormack highlighted that she is motivated by seeing the results of her team’s hard work.
“Every time a client leaves happy after we’ve surpassed their expectations, I want to keep upping our game,” she said.
When things do not go to plan, McCormack endeavours to find out why and improve the service that is offered.
Reflecting on her next steps in professional development, McCormack told OT that she has taken on purchasing responsibilities and contributed to practice marketing.
“My main forward focus is client retention and acquisition, as we are now fully private, and Redditch has moved off the High Street,” she shared.
“I get a buzz from implementing a new idea which gets us a result,” she added.
Emma Woodhouse, a dispensing optician and practice manager at Haine & Smith Opticians in Royal Wootton Bassett, began working in optics in her 30s after previously working as a regional manager for a national agriculture company.
She trained as a dispensing optician before becoming a practice manager four years ago.
“I love having a vision, seeing possibilities and developing the business,” Woodhouse shared.
Woodhouse told OT that she is excited about what the future will bring.
“I find myself wanting to help others in their own career progression, and support people finding their role in the industry,” she added.
Woodhouse is currently studying towards a leadership module offered by the Wales Optometry Postgraduate Education Centre and funded by the Local Optical Committee Support Unit.
She shared that a desire to “learn more, do more and be more” has motivated her career development.
“I have an enquiring mind and always want to develop myself as an individual and a leader,” Woodhouse said.
Reflecting on her top tips for those starting out in optics, Woodhouse encouraged early career practitioners to embrace opportunities to learn.
“Do the things that make you nervous and push yourself out of the comfort zone,” she said.
Founding an eyewear company
Gower Opticians dispensing assistant, Francesca Oak, began her career as an optical assistant with a multiple before taking on a role as a dispensing assistant at Gower Opticians.
“Working as part of a two-person team alongside the ophthalmic director has significantly expanded my scope of responsibility and developed my skills,” she said.
“I lead all aspects of day-to-day running of the practice, clinic management and dispensing,” Oak highlighted.
In 2025, Oak founded the eyewear brand, Frankies Eyewear.
“From a young age I've always been creatively driven, particularly in the world of fashion, and would spend hours sketching clothing designs,” she said.
After starting out in optics, Oak became inspired by her professional environment and started sketching eyewear.
“I love how glasses can make or break an outfit. The idea for Frankies started when I found I was struggling with all day comfort on the bridge of the nose after previously breaking it when I was younger,” she said.
Oak found that plastic bridges were often too small for her nose and would lead to headaches. Working as a dispensing assistant, she realised that other patients also required larger bridge sizes.
“It became clear this was an oversight in the eyewear market. This is where the concept for Frankies began,” Oak said.
Frankies Eyewear was shortlisted in the New Designer category at the 2026 Love Eyewear Awards.
Oak shared with OT that working in practice has had a strong influence on the development of her business.
“This first-hand perspective has been a big help in shaping the development of each frame I create,” she said.
Reflecting on her tips for those new to optics, Oak advised practitioners to say ‘yes’ wherever they can.
“This industry is full of incredible, inspiring individuals and immersing yourself fully not only builds skills but connections,” she said.
From optical assistant to optometrist
David Burghardt Vision Care director, Richard Spencer, started out in optics as an optical assistant after completing a degree in sports science.
He told OT that a supportive practice manager helped him to develop a passion for the sector.
“She spent a long time investing in staff training, which was fantastic,” Spencer shared.
“That really got me hooked on optics,” he added.
After working his way up to store manager within a multiple practice, Spencer took on a role as practice manager at David Burghardt Vision Care.
He completed his diploma in ophthalmic dispensing through Bradford College before studying optometry at the University of Lancashire – a degree he is set to complete this year.
Spencer told OT that working in different roles within optometry gives him a well-rounded perspective.
“You appreciate what each role involves and you also pick up different skills,” he said.
“I think I will be a better an optometrist than if I had gone into the degree straight out of school,” he reflected.
This industry is full of incredible, inspiring individuals and immersing yourself fully not only builds skills but connections
Spencer started his dispensing course shortly after he turned 30 and completed his optometry degree at the age of 40.
He encouraged practitioners to have the courage to go back into education if that is something they want to do.
“If you are considering it, then do it. Often people say ‘I'm too old’ but if you are in a position where you can commit the time and effort into it, then I would encourage anyone to take that step,” Spencer said.
He shared that he has always been someone who has wanted to learn more and do more – which has been “both a blessing and a curse.”
“Whenever I get to the end of one milestone, I always think there is something else I would like to do,” Spencer said.
“It’s not an ego thing, or necessarily a financial thing. I just like to learn and be the best I can be,” he reflected.
Working in practice, he encourages colleagues to be inquisitive and pick up as much experience as they can.
“They might be learning how to take optical coherence tomography scans. What we like to see is people who will come and ask, ‘what was that that we saw? Or how come this one looks a bit different?” Spencer said.
“It might not necessarily be in their remit, but that's the best way to pick up these new skills – by gaining exposure,” he said.
In the future, Spencer would like to complete further training in paediatrics and dry eye, as well as independent prescribing.
“Moving into optometry has now opened up a whole new world of things that I can learn,” he said.
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