College of Optometrists

The College of Optometrists is the professional, scientific and examining body for optometry in the United Kingdom, working for the public benefit.

By that year only four were authorised to conduct examinations and award professional qualifications statutorily approved by the General Optical Council (GOC).

The creation of a single new professional body in the form of a Royal College for optometrists was suggested in 1972 in a letter published by Rishi Agarwal.

[2][3][4][5] The college was established in 1980 by three separate bodies, the former British Optical Association founded in 1895 and the Scottish Association of Opticians tracing its history to 1922 (both of which were disbanded in 1980) and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers (incorporated by a Royal Charter in 1629 during the reign of King Charles I) which had run qualifying exams since 1898 but surrendered its examining function to the new college.

[8] Shortly before its formal foundation, the college was based at 10 Knaresborough Place in Earls Court, London in a town house purchased for it by the British Optical Association.