Association of Optometrists


The Association of Optometrists is the leading professional organisation for optometrists in the United Kingdom.
The organisation is a company limited by guarantee operating in a similar way to a trade union to "protect, support and represent" the interests of the practising professional as its primary concern.
It is one of the five representative bodies that make up the Optical Confederation.

Activities and services

The Association provides a range of professional services and products to its members, including:
The organisation traces its history back to 1946. when the Institute of Ophthalmic Opticians and the Joint Council of Qualified Opticians, were incorporated into The Association of Optical Practitioners.
In 1986, the organisation renamed to the Association of Optometrists. The organisation retains use of the 'AOP' acronym.
In 2017 the organisation reported it had grown to "17,000+ members", "representing 80% of UK optometrists".

Publishing

The organisation publishes a monthly professional journal, Optometry Today.