11 August 2026
The breath-catching moment of tearing open the envelope. The bleary-eyed refreshing of the website. The heart-in-stomach repeated checking of an email inbox.
Students across the UK are receiving those all-important results that could dictate the course of the next few years of their education this month.
In Scotland, students received results from the Highers and Advanced Highers on 4 August, while results in England and Wales are released on 13 August, and in Ireland students receive their Leaving Certificate on 21 August.
The moment of receiving those results can be thrilling or disappointing and alter the steps students will take towards their goals: from the courses they take, to where they will study and live.
There are, however, many paths into the optometry profession and opportunities that exist beyond that apparent cliff-edge of results day.
OT asked three optometrists to reflect on their results day experience, the next steps they took, and where their career has taken them since – with the hope of offering budding optometrists some reassurance and encouragement amidst the flurry of decisions and emotions.
“I genuinely thought my dream had slipped away”
Dr Pretty Basra
The optometrist, CEO, and business and mental fitness mentor shared how her path into optometry taught her resilience – and to believe in herself.
Did you enter A-Levels knowing you wanted to go into optometry?
From a young age, I knew I wanted to become an optometrist. Unfortunately, I was told that I probably wouldn't achieve the grades needed to get there. Rather than changing my dream, it made me even more determined to find a way.
How would you describe your results-day experience?
Receiving my A-Level results the first time was one of the hardest days of my life. Opening that envelope and seeing that I was nowhere near the grades I needed felt devastating. I genuinely thought my dream had slipped away. A year later, after re-sitting my A-Levels, opening my results again and seeing that I had achieved the grades was the complete opposite feeling. I was in total shock – I had done it.
Looking back, failing wasn’t the end of my story – it was the beginning of learning the resilience, determination and self-belief that would shape every chapter that followed
What steps did you take next to ultimately take you down the path of optometry?
I enrolled on an intensive one-year A-Level re-sit course because I knew optometry was the only career I wanted. I worked harder than I ever had before, improved my grades and secured my place at university. Looking back, that year taught me resilience, discipline, and belief in myself – qualities that have stayed with me throughout my career.
How would you summarise the path your career in optometry has taken you since that day?
Since qualifying, my career has taken me far beyond what I imagined on that results day. I’ve completed a PhD, built and grown an award-winning independent practice, created what is believed to be the UK's only optical practice with an integrated medical aesthetics clinic, become a keynote speaker, and had the privilege of serving in national leadership roles within the profession. Along the way , I've been recognised with awards in both business and optometry.
Today, one of the things I'm most passionate about is helping other women in optics grow in confidence, leadership and business through my mentoring and membership communities, because I know first-hand the difference that belief – both your own and someone else’s – can make.
“That one decision has perhaps been the best decision of my life”
Karan Vyas, advanced clinical practitioner, AOP Councillor and Board member
Karan shares how he switched paths from engineering to optometry.
Did you enter A-Levels knowing you wanted to go into optometry?
When I started my A-Levels, I had no inkling of what I wanted to do. I simply chose subjects that I found interesting at the time (chemistry, biology, maths and history). As I progressed through my studies, I did an open day at the University of Leicester, which was co-incidentally next to the sixth form I attended and was offering free food, and saw the engineering school. I thought this looked interesting. I proceeded to apply to do engineering as it seemed good and I couldn't think of anything else to do. I had a place accepted at the University of York.
What steps did you take next to ultimately take you down the path of optometry?
As results day loomed, I began to doubt my choices. I looked at lots of other courses and just fell across optometry. Having looked into it in more detail and spoken to Professor Ed Mallen (head of admissions for optometry at the University of Bradford at the time), I was convinced that this was the path I wanted to take.
How would you describe your results-day experience?
It was oddly very anti-climactic. After a gruelling period of intense revision and studying, results day came very quickly and after a short trip to the college, I stood in the hall frantically ripping open the envelope to reveal my results. However, there was no time to celebrate. I knew I needed to move quickly if I was to secure a place on optometry through clearing and after a quick call, to Bradford (and York to withdraw), I was in. By the evening, I was exhausted and asked my parents if we could celebrate by getting a takeaway and an early night.
How would you summarise the path your career in optometry has taken you since that day?
That one decision has perhaps been the best decision of my life. It put me on a trajectory that I would have never envisioned. I get to go into work and make a difference to people every day. Through that decision to study optometry, I have found a career that I love, met friends that I could not live without, and have experiences I will never forget. Looking back at the last 13 years, optometry may have been the career that I stumbled into, but was always meant to be for me.
“I never had this dream of being an optometrist – I sort of fell into it”
Hamza Mussa, lead optometrist and professional advancement consultant at Specsavers, and creator of The Crazy Optom social media page
Hamza explained how his interest in maths and science led him into optometry, and how he found his passion for the profession along the journey.
Did you enter A-Levels knowing you wanted to go into optometry?
At 16 does anyone really know what they want to do? I took a more practical approach when looking for a career. I wanted a stable career with good prospects. I knew I was good at science and maths, so I leaned into that and decided to look at a career in healthcare. In Year 12 I did work experience placements in optometry, pharmacy and dentistry and decided I wanted a career which was patient-facing.
How would you describe your results-day experience?
To be completely honest, results day was somewhat bittersweet. We hold ourselves to such high standards and when things go our way it’s brilliant, however when they don’t, in that moment it can feel like your world collapses. For me it was the latter because I achieved AAB and not the AAA for my offer – missing my last A by two marks. This moment taught me no matter how hard we plan life can throw a curve ball from time to time.
We hold ourselves to such high standards and when things go our way it’s brilliant, however when they don’t, in that moment it can feel like your world collapses
What steps did you take next to ultimately take you down the path of optometry?
The first thing I did was call Aston University to discuss my situation and to my delight I was accepted onto the optometry course. From there, everything moved quickly – going to see accommodation, preparing to move out, and the mandatory IKEA trip that most students do with their parents – however I think my mum was little ambitious in my cooking abilities (I think some of the stuff is still brand new). Next thing you know, we were sat in the welcome lecture and the journey had begun.
How would you summarise the path your career in optometry has taken you since that day?
Unexpected. There are so many opportunities that you never even think of. I never had this dream of being an optometrist; I sort of fell into it. I was never the smartest person in the room. Even through university, it wasn’t until final year and more so the pre-registration year where I really found my passion for optometry. 10 years in, I wouldn’t do anything else. My role now involves visiting universities, speaking at conferences, delivering education and training, and social media in the form of The Crazy Optom. At the core though, I still love being in the test room.
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