To all those who have followed my journey through optometry, I have passionately championed the use of social media to enhance my career. From the early days of the “@optomstudent” handle, to “@optometrytweet”, “@eyesoneyecare” and now “@theeyecareadvocate”, social media has been an integral part of my professional life for over 15 years.

Therefore, it is no wonder that I have seen many fantastic optometrists and organisations utilise it themselves to promote their messages. I have curated a list of the most engaging and informative accounts that are a must-follow for optometry students in the UK.

These accounts offer a blend of educational content, industry insights, and a dash of fun, perfectly tailored for the aspiring eye care professionals. So, let’s dive into the world of optometry on Instagram, where learning and networking are just a scroll away!

1) My Testing Room (@mytestingroom)

I have been a big fan of the @mytestingroom account since it’s first post announcing that something awesome was coming soon. The account has flourished and has amassed over 14,000 followers – a well deserved number given it’s consistent and well produced content.

Why Follow?
@mytestingroom is a treasure trove of eye resources that blends education with entertainment. With its iconic yellow-themed cartoon artwork, it captures the essence of ‘eye love’ in every post. From self-created eye memes to engaging eye art, this account offers a unique and humorous perspective that makes learning about optometry a joy. It’s a must-follow for every UK optometry student looking for a daily dose of fun and knowledge!

2) The Crazy Optom (@thecrazyoptom)

@thecrazyoptom is a captivating account that you probably already follow, as it stands as one of the most popular optometry-focused Instagram accounts (with over 36,000 followers at time of writing). It showcases the day-to-day experiences of UK-based optometrist and account owner, Hamza Mussa, as he encounters ophthalmic diseases in optometric clinics. With remarkable skill, he captures high-quality images that vividly depict these encounters.

Why Follow?
The Crazy Optom is an invaluable resource for UK optometry students, offering high-resolution images of ophthalmic conditions and unusual clinical findings. The account’s crisp presentation style and detailed descriptions provide a window into the real-world scenarios students will face during their pre-registration and early professional years. Beyond the visuals, Hamza is known for his interactive approach, dedicating time to answer queries and engage with followers through stories. It’s an educational hub where students can gain exposure to the type of presentations that may appear in their consulting chair, whilst providing information on abnormal ocular conditions.

3) The College of Optometrists (@thecollegeofoptometrists)

The College of Optometrists are the educational professional body for optometrists in the UK. They champion optometrists’ role in healthcare, define good practice and promote lifelong learning within the field of optometry. They also have strong roles in educating the public and supporting research and innovation.

Why Follow?
@thecollegeofoptometrists is the epitome of UK optometric advancement on Instagram. Following them means instant updates to breaking news, new research findings, and vital clinical updates. Their timely updates on clinical management guidelines are not just informative but a game-changer for staying ahead in the field. Plus, their infographics serve as quick, digestible content for both professionals and patients, making complex information easy to grasp. It’s a follow that keeps you informed and ready for your future in optometry.

4) Optometry Today (@optometry_today)

Optometry Today is the award-winning journal of the Association of Optometrists (AOP), who are the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. The journal provides news, optometric features and continuing education and training for optometrists, dispensing opticians and contact lens opticians. It also provides an outlet for releasing scientific and technological updates as well as legislative changes that all optical staff should be aware of.

Why Follow?
With the printed journal being bi-monthly, their Instagram, @optometry_today, ensures you’re never behind on the latest updates. It’s a treasure trove of optical features, practice news, and stories that encapsulate the profession’s heartbeat. For anyone in the field, it’s a staple account to follow for real-time insights and a comprehensive view of the optometric landscape.

5) Doctor Eye Health (@doctoreyehealth)

Dr Joseph J. Allen, O.D FAAO, Dipl ABO, of Doctor Eye Health brings a wealth of eye care tips and education to your feed. His YouTube channel is a hub for vision product reviews and educational videos that delve into the mechanics of vision and eye health. His videos are aimed at a wider audience, and whilst US-centric, the information is still useful for UK optometry students to understand optometric concepts in a way that they can describe to the public.

Why Follow?
With a passion for teaching about eye function, disease development, and treatment options, his content is invaluable for anyone eager to understand the intricacies of eye health and vision science. Whilst his main platform is YouTube, the content he shares on his Instagram @doctoreyehealth includes tips, infographics and links to his latest videos. I find his content engaging, understandable and varied – perfect for those UK optometry students wanting to broaden their knowledge through scrolling and watching videos!

6) Esme’s Umbrella (@esmesumbrella)

Esme’s Umbrella is a pioneering charity dedicated to Charles Bonnet Syndrome (CBS) awareness and support. Charles Bonnet Syndrome is a condition where visual hallucinations occur in individuals that have experienced vision loss. Esme’s Umbrella provides a well of information, reassurance and funding for research into the condition.

Why Follow?
Charles Bonnet Syndrome affects many of the patients that we will see in the course of our optometric career and one that many patients will not divulge if they are experiencing the symptoms through fear of being diagnosed with mental health condition, or being told they are symptoms of dementia. These conditions are not linked and, due to many healthcare and eye care professionals being unaware of this condition, it can lead to it being misdiagnosed as such and the patient undergoing inappropriate management.

Following @esmesumbrella will put Charles Bonnet Syndrome in the forefront of your mind during your UK optometry degree, give you perspective on how it can affect people’s lives and also encourage you to find ways to broach visual hallucinations when seeing people with vision loss in a calm and respectful manner.

7) The Optics Communication Coach (@theopticscommunicationcoach)

The Optics Communication Coach is a relatively new find for me, but it is an account that I have certainly found inspiring. The coach’s aim is to help people have the best patient communication, provide unrivaled customer care, increased satisfaction levels and enhanced commercial success. When viewing this description as a qualified optometrist of 10 years, I personally think that this area of our training is key – and often overlooked – so I am thrilled to see an account on Instagram that is trying to improve that!

Why Follow?
@theopticscommunicationcoach provides a masterclass in optometric communication. The account stands out for its well-structured posts and informative content that resonates with real-world practices. As a testament to its authenticity, the strategies shared are not just theory; they’re proven methods mirrored in my professional routines. Coupled with good visuals and bite-sized delivery, this account is a valuable follow for anyone looking to refine their communication skills in optometry – optometry student, pre-registration or fully qualified alike.

8) Optotutor (@optotutor)

Optotutor was established in 2019 by optometrist Bansi Dhamecha, an Aston University graduate with over 10 years of experience in optometry. Optotutor is dedicated to providing support and guidance to pre-registration optometrists, offering a foundation that starts even before their formal training. Additionally, Optotutor provides Commercially Aware courses aimed at career advancement and in-store development, leveraging Bansi’s extensive experience as a supervisor and mentor to future optometry professionals.

Why Follow?
@optotutor is a beacon for pre-registration optometrists, offering invaluable tips and tricks that pave the way for a successful career. The account is a goldmine of regular updates on courses and essential reading material, ensuring you’re always equipped with the latest tools and knowledge for your optometry training journey. Following as a UK optometry student, you’ll be well ahead of the curve when planning for pre-registration and have an experienced tutor to contact if and when you need support.

9) Acanthamoeba Keratitis Eye Foundation (@akeyefoundation)

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a relatively rare but vision- and eye-threatening parasitic infection of the cornea, often associated with contact lens wear, characterised by significant pain and difficult to diagnose and treat symptoms. The AK Eye Foundation‘s goal is to provide clear and easy-to-understand information to help manage AK, whilst promoting awareness of this devastating condition. I strongly recommend every UK optometry student, pre-registration optometrist and fully qualified optometrist visit their website and be reminded to fully advise patients the risk that water poses to contact lens wearers.

Why Follow?
The @akeyefoundation shares personal stories from those affected by AK, offering insights and fostering a community of awareness. Additionally, followers receive the latest updates in treatment plans, making it an essential resource for those that may need to manage suspected AK.

It is vital that all UK optometry students follow this account as to remind you why we need to inform our contact lens patients of the dangers that water poses to contact lens wear, to consider acanthamoeba as a source of infection in contact lens-related eye infections and to understand the impact that this painful condition can have on patient lives.

Furthermore, my experience as a locum shows that many people are still not being informed of the risks (or if they are, it is not being informed in a memorable way – nor records of the information being noted). This account will hopefully help change that!

10) The Eye Care Advocate (@theeyecareadvocate)

I do feel that this is a bit cheeky – but please consider following @theeyecareadvocate on Instagram – especially if you enjoy the content that we produce. As you are reading this article, you know that the aim of this website project is to advocate for great eye care from good educational content for optometrists through to patient awareness campaigns.

Why Follow (and Subscribe)?
The Eye Care Advocate’s Instagram account regularly posts content advocating for great eye care. There are links to our latest posts, infographics, videos and general updates in our posts, reels and stories.

So give us a follow and help us spread our message further! If you’d like to help support us further, you can Buy Me a Coffee!

I hope this post has been useful – I know these accounts have certainly been a pleasure to interact with over the last few years! If you have any other must follow accounts that you’d recommend, feel free to include them in the comments. Likewise, if you have an account that is a “must follow” for UK optometry students, please get in touch for inclusion on the version of this list!