06 August 2026
The AOP named nine members appointed to designated positions on its Council in June.
Five of the representatives were newly appointed and will represent members across independent practice directors and employees, hospital optometry, locum optometry, and early career.
To get to know the new Councillors, OT asked each representative to identify one factor currently shaping their scope of practise.
The cost of innovation
Desislava Pirkova, AOP Councillor representing directors of an independent practice, highlighted that the challenge of adopting new technologies and innovations “within the financial realities of independent practice” is a growing issue.
Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted diagnostics, advanced imaging systems and digital patient management tools are increasingly part of modern eye care, she noted, yet for independent practices, investment and implementation can bring pressure.
Pirkova, who is also a dispensing optician and a final-year optometry student, is exploring the impact of AI and technology within optometry, specifically implementation, for her dissertation.
“Through both my research and my own experience within independent practice, I have become increasingly aware of the balance between embracing innovation and maintaining practical sustainability,” she said.
Assessing the cost, training requirements, and integration into existing workflows, all form part of a consideration of whether an investment would be realistic – particularly – whether the new systems would provide long-term value, or simply add to business pressures.
“Innovation is important, but for many independents, there is a genuine question of how to remain competitive and continue delivering high standards of care without creating financial pressures that may be difficult to sustain,” she said.
Pirkova is positive about the potential for technology to improve patient outcomes, facilitate earlier disease detection, increase efficiency and enhance the patient experience.
However, she noted the risk that financial barriers could create an imbalance – with some practices able to adopt new technologies more easily than others.
She told OT: “The conversation should not only be about introducing new technology, but also about how it can be introduced fairly, responsibly, and in a way that benefits all areas of the profession.”
Pirkova said she would like to see more support, guidance, and discussion around how independent practices can adapt to emerging technologies in a realistic and sustainable way, as well as evidence-based implementation.
“Technology should support practitioners and improve patient care while remaining accessible and practical for practices of all sizes,” she added.
Advancing roles in the hospital
The continued expansion of advanced optometric practice within NHS eye care services represents a large factor shaping hospital optometry, Kiran Pannu-Dhillon, AOP Councillor representing hospital-based optometrists, told OT.
She said: “With increasing demand on hospital eye services and growing patient waiting lists, optometrists are taking on increasingly specialised and extended clinical roles to support service capacity and improve patient access to care.”
As a result, there has been continued development of optometrist-led services across areas like glaucoma, cataract, medical retina, contact lenses and uveitis.
There are also growing opportunities for those with the appropriate training to take on advanced procedures such as selective laser trabeculoplasty, YAG laser peripheral iridotomy, and YAG capsulotomy.
Pannu-Dhillon shared: “I see first-hand through my clinical work at the Western Eye Hospital the pressures facing NHS hospital eye services and the important role optometrists can play in helping meet patient demand.”
She added: “It is exciting to see optometrists taking on increasingly advanced roles within multidisciplinary teams and contributing directly to improving patient pathways and outcomes.”
The impact of this shift has been “significant” for both patients and the profession, Pannu-Dhillon argues, helping to reduce waiting times, improving access to specialist care, and supporting more efficient use of NHS resources.
“At the same time, it is creating more varied and rewarding career pathways for optometrists, allowing practitioners to develop advanced clinical expertise and contribute at a higher level within hospital services,” she said.
As these roles evolve, Pannu-Dhillon emphasised that training, governance, and professional support must develop alongside.
Considering what the changing scope of optometry means for the broader healthcare system, Pannu-Dhillon explained: “The future sustainability of NHS eye care services will rely heavily on workforce development and effective multidisciplinary working.”
“Optometrists have the skills and potential to contribute even further within hospital eye care, but there needs to be ongoing discussion around structured training pathways, governance, and support for advanced practice roles,” she said.
“These conversations are important not only for the profession, but ultimately for improving patient care and ensuring services can meet increasing demand safely and effectively,” she added.
Pannu-Dhillon explained that she would like to see more pathways into advanced and extended practice roles within hospital optometry, including support through continued professional development, training, accreditation, and mentorship.
“I would also like to see continued recognition of the value optometrists bring within multidisciplinary hospital teams and further support for the expansion of optometrist-led services where appropriate,” she shared.
A sustainable locum workforce
Championing a sustainable workforce within the profession is important to Deven Lakhani, AOP Councillor representing locum optometrists, who told OT: “A sustainable workforce depends on realistic workloads, supportive working environments and recognition of the increasing pressures facing practitioners.”
With these foundations in place, optometrists are better able to deliver safe, high-quality care to patients, he shared.
“Locum optometrists often experience unique pressures within the workforce,” he highlighted, noting that when working across multiple practices, locum optometrists may not have the same, consistent support networks as colleagues who are permanently employed.
He explained: “This can sometimes lead to professional isolation, while increasing clinical and administrative demands add further pressure. Through conversations with colleagues and my work supporting practitioners, it is clear that these challenges are affecting wellbeing across the profession.”
The impact of these pressures can be significant, with stress and burnout affecting morale, job satisfaction, and long-term career sustainability, Lakhani said.
He shared: “Supporting practitioner wellbeing is therefore not just beneficial for individuals; it also supports patient care and the stability of the profession. When practitioners feel supported and valued, they are more engaged, confident in their decision-making and able to maintain high standards of care.”
Lakhani told OT he would like to see continued open discussion around professional wellbeing, as well as greater awareness of the available support services and ongoing efforts to promote sustainable working practices.
“By prioritising wellbeing alongside clinical excellence, we can help ensure optometry remains a rewarding and sustainable career,” he said.
The route to qualification
There can be no doubt that the implementation of the education and training requirements (ETR) has transformed the pathway to qualification for optometrists.
Indy Ghuman, AOP Councillor representing early career optometrists, highlighted: “We are seeing major changes to how optometrists qualify and develop clinically, including a shift to integrated undergraduate and postgraduate learning. There is a greater emphasis on independent prescribing (IP) and earlier exposure to advanced clinical responsibility.”
The introduction of integrated qualification routes, such as CLiP placements within undergraduate programmes, reflects the rapid evolution of the profession, he suggested.
When it comes to higher qualifications like IP, Ghuman said: “The removal of previous barriers, such as the two-year post-registration requirement for IP training and trainee supervision, means newly-qualified optometrists are entering roles with greater responsibility earlier than ever before.”
Ghuman emphasised: “These changes are not theoretical future developments – they are already shaping the experiences of current students, trainees, and newly-qualified optometrists. The clinicians progressing through these pathways today will form a significant part of the future eye care workforce in the UK.”
The ripple effect of these changes will affect the profession more broadly, from the sustainability of the workforce, to patient care, and the evolution of optometry within wider healthcare systems, he suggested.
“Positively, these changes recognise the increasing clinical capability of optometrists and create opportunities for enhanced patient care. They also provide opportunities for career progression and greater integration of optometry within ophthalmology pathways,” Ghuman said.
However, he warned: “The pace of change can create uncertainty for early career professionals navigating not only evolving expectations around supervision but also autonomy and professional development.”
With newly-qualified optometrists entering practice with more opportunities available to them, Ghuman emphasised the responsibility to ensure appropriate support and mentorship.
“I would describe the impact as transformational for the profession, but one that requires careful engagement with those experiencing it directly,” he said.
Early career voices are a valuable and vital aspect of these conversations, providing insight into what is working well, where additional support might be needed, and how the profession can continue adapting positively.
Ghuman told OT: “I would like to see continued investment in structured mentorship and accessible professional development opportunities.”
Support systems like peer mentorship and wellbeing resources, like the AOP Peer Support Line, will play an important role as clinicians navigate the transitions, he added.
“I would also like to see continued collaboration between professional bodies, educators, employers, and regulators to ensure these changes are implemented consistently and sustainably across different sectors of practice,” he said.
Opportunities to grow
Kaljit Dhaliwal, AOP Councillor representing employees of independent practices, is passionate about ensuring independent practice, and those working within them, continues to thrive and provide a wide variety of services, alongside that special independent feel.
As part of this, he would like to see greater support for practitioners within independent practice to be able to access and engage in higher qualifications.
For staff in smaller independent practices, who might be stretched thinly already, there can be significant practical challenges involved in finding the time and resources for completing additional qualifications.
Dhaliwal has completed a medical retina certification, minor eye conditions service accreditation, and a course in dyslexia, telling OT: “I always like to keep up-to-date with optometry and gain new skills.”
There are challenges for optometrists in independent practices, however, he noted: “Often we are continuing to learn, but we might not go through the qualification because there are too many time constraints.”
“If you need to make it happen, you can make it happen – but if they are the optometrist in a single testing practice, it isn’t so easy,” he acknowledged.
This is an important discussion as the profession and technology advances, he said: “I think a lot of people want to be able to embrace those advances and not be stressed by them.”
Making it easier for all practitioners – across ages and levels of experience in the profession – to adapt to knew technologies and systems, would only be a benefit, he argued.
Dhaliwal would like to see more conversations around how the hurdles to completing additional qualifications could be reduced.
“Access to qualifications in an easy way, that can work for different time constraints and budgets, would be good for independents,” he said.
As the profession continues to advance in scope and skill, it is important that optometry is recognised and remunerated for this, he added.
“When I first qualified, some of the work we are now doing was being done by ophthalmologists. Optometry is taking on a greater role, with a lot more responsibility and knowledge, and we should be proud of that – and rewarded for it,” he said.
Dhaliwal shared: “I have seen lots of great changes in the profession. I’m happy we can detect pathology earlier and help more people. We want to encourage everyone to come to optometry as the first point of care – whilst continuing to make it viable.”
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