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Higher qualifications and affixes

All of our Specialist Optometrists have higher qualifications related to the enhanced clinical roles they perform. These include diplomas and professional certificates in contact lenses, Glaucoma, Low vision, Medical Retina and Paediatric eye care.

These form part of a range of post graduate higher qualifications developed by the College of Optometrists.

All Optometrists will have a range of affixes after their name, indicating their qualifications:

BSc(Hons) is a Bachelor of Science in Optometry with honours that all UK optometrists need to be registered

MSc is a Master of Science in Optometry that some UK optometrists will have as a postgraduate qualification

MCOptom is membership of the College of Optometrists, this is the professional body for optometrists, which optometrists can choose to be a member of.

FCOptom is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists, which is usually awarded to optometrists who have achieved significant higher qualifications and/or contributed to the profession of Optometry

College of Optometrists affixes and certificates

Optometrists who have achieved a College of Optometrists accredited higher qualification can use an affix, or letters, after their name. This demonstrates their additional knowledge and skills in that subject. There are different levels of higher qualifications and each one has a particular affix.

Professional Certificates are the first qualification in the College of Optometrists higher qualifications, followed by a  Professional Higher Certificate and a Professional Diploma

Higher Cert CL is the Professional Higher Certificate in Contact Lenses

Dip CL is the Professional Diploma in Contact Lenses (This replaces the previously available DCLP the Diploma in Contact lens practice)

Prof Cert LV is the Professional Certificate in Low Vision

Higher Cert LV is the Professional Higher Certificate in Low Vision

Dip LV is the Professional Diploma in Low Vision (Not available at present) (This will replace the previously available Dip RVI the Diploma in Rehabilitation of Visual impairment)

Prof Cert Med Ret is the Professional certificate in Medical Retina

Higher Cert Med LV is the Professional Higher Certificate in Medical Retina 

Dip Med Ret is the Professional Diploma in Medical Retina (Not available at present)

Prof Cert Glauc is the Professional Certificate in glaucoma

Higher Cert Glauc is the Professional Higher Certificate in glaucoma

Dip Glauc is the Professional Diploma in Glaucoma

Prof Cert Paed Eye Care is the Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care

Higher Cert Paed Eye Care is the Professional Higher Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care

Dip Paed Eye Care is the Professional Diploma in Paediatric Eye Care (Not available at present)

Therapeutic prescribing affixes

DipTP (AS) is the diploma in Therapeutics (additional supply)

DipTP (SP) is the diploma in Therapeutics (Supplementary Prescribing)

DipTP (IP) is the diploma in Therapeutics (Independent Prescribing)

There is more information on our Independent prescribing web page.