Number of dispensing opticians in the UK 2010-2024
In 2024, there were over 11.5 thousand dispensing opticians in employment in the United Kingdom. This is major increase from 2023, where there were more than double the amount, some 12.5 thousand dispensing opticians. A dispensing optician is different from an optometrist as they do not test people’s eyesight but advise on and supply spectacles and other visual aids to those who need it.
Eye care in the UK
There were approximately 20.5 thousand ophthalmic opticians in employment in the UK in 2024. In contrast to the large drop in number of dispensing opticians; the number of ophthalmic opticians has slightly decreased from 2022 to 2024.
Comparison to European countries
The UK has quite a low number of opticians per 10,000 population when compared to other European countries. In 2017, there were just over one optician per 10,000 people in the UK, while France had 5.55 per 10,000 which was the highest in Europe. Additionally, the UK had 1.12 optician retail outlets per 10,000 population which again ranks it low in comparison to the rest of Europe. Cyprus had the highest density of outlets at 2.69 per 10,000 population.
