A place to build on and revisit
the practical bits.
Looking for a refresher, working through a tricky technique, or preparing for your next teaching session? Find a guide and take it one step at a time.
Refraction
Retinoscopy, subjective refraction and your trial case.
Static retinoscopy
Work through technique, working distance and common difficulties in the student guide.
Read the guideJackson cross cylinder
Revisit the steps involved in refining cylinder axis and power.
Read the guideDuochrome testing
Explore the principles behind the duochrome test and its place in refraction.
Read the guideGetting to know trial lenses
A starting point for understanding the lenses in your trial case.
Read the guideOcular health
Examination techniques and background reading.
Assessing the optic nerve
Revisit the features to consider when examining the optic disc.
Read the guideUnderstanding pupil assessments
Explore pupillary reflexes and the principles behind pupil testing.
Read the guideGoldmann applanation tonometry
Read about the technique, equipment and considerations involved in GAT.
Read the guideSlit-lamp filters
Explore the purpose of different filters and how they change your view.
Read the guideThe Van Herick technique
An introduction to estimating peripheral anterior chamber depth.
Read the guideGlaucoma risk factors
Read an overview of factors considered when thinking about glaucoma risk.
Read the guideBinocular vision
Cover testing, fixation disparity and eye movements.
Cover test techniques
Revisit cover testing and the distinction between manifest and latent deviations.
Read the guideFixation disparity
Explore fixation disparity and its assessment in binocular vision.
Read the guideExtraocular muscles
Refresh your understanding of the muscles involved in eye movements.
Read the guideContact lenses
A starting point for exploring soft lens fitting.
Assessing a soft contact lens fit
Explore the observations involved in assessing soft contact lens fitting.
Read the guideHistory & symptoms
Questions, conversations and a structure to work from.
LOFTSEA and history taking
A framework to help organise your questions when exploring a patient’s symptoms.
Read the guideOptics & calculations
Work through the principles, then check your understanding.
Transposition calculator
Explore equivalent plus- and minus-cylinder prescription forms. Check calculations independently before any clinical use.
Open the calculatorUnderstanding transposition
Work through the principles of changing between sphere–cylinder forms.
Read the guideGalilean telescopes
Explore the optics and calculations behind a Galilean telescope.
Read the guideNo matching resources here. Try a shorter term, or clear your search to see all topics.
Articles may include the author’s teaching approaches and personal experience as well as referenced material. They are designed to aid your learning, not substitute for official training, supervised practice or current professional guidance. You remain responsible for the clinical care you provide. A link here is not a claim of independent peer review or GOC approval. Check each article’s sources and publication date alongside current guidance. Calculators and simulators are learning aids, not substitutes for patient assessment or clinical decision-making.
History and Symptoms:
The Eye Examination
Explore 20 fictional characters as scripts for learning how communication can occur during history taking, alongside reflections on insights you may draw from each case history. The book is also available on Amazon (£16.99 at the time of writing). Digital access is included in both premium community membership plans.
Keep practising.
Keep good company.
The community platform brings resources, simulators, courses, forums and live events into one place—alongside people who understand life in eye care.
Everything listed in this section is included in both membership plans. Choose monthly or annual membership to suit you.
Take a look at the communityOpen a section to see what’s included.
01Skills to practiseCourses, simulators and cases to work through at your own pace.
- Skill simulatorsPractise with logMAR, cover test, motility, soft contact lens and RGP simulators. More are in development, and content is added or refreshed where needed.
- Ret Mess to Ret SuccessExplore common student mistakes in retinoscopy, what happens as a result, and how to put them right.
- Beyond PERRLA – Decoding the PupilUnderstand how the pupil pathway works, common assessment mistakes and how to put them right, alongside the pupil defects you may see.
- Slit Lamp HandbookAn online course covering the slit lamp and slit-lamp BIO.
- Case studiesWork through cases based on presentations you may see in practice.
02Conversations in clinicResources for history taking and building trust in the testing room.
- History and Symptoms: The Eye ExaminationDigital access to Jason’s book is included.
- History and symptoms scriptsAdditional scripts with insights to help you think through your questions.
- Building Trust and Adding ValueTesting-room tips for CLiP, pre-reg and newly qualified colleagues making the move from study to clinic.
03People to learn withA professional forum, a student forum and room to get to know each other.
- Professional forumA place for professional discussion and shared experience.
- Student forumBring your study questions and learn alongside other students.
- Community networkConnect with qualified optometrists, dispensing opticians and other eye care professionals, as well as students.
- Live eventsOnline coffee breaks, virtual escape rooms, games nights, lectures and other social or educational events. Events can also be arranged for university optical societies on request.
04Life beyond the textbookSpace for encouragement, everyday advocacy and a little fun.
- The Student BlueprintTips for making the most of your time at university and in training.
- Points of LightSpace for perspective, encouragement and reflection on life in eye care.
- Advocate ChallengeOccasional challenges to improve workplace respect and the patient experience.
- Tr-eye-adsA daily connections-style game with eye care themes.
Same access. Your choice of plan.
Everything listed above is included, whether you pay £15 a month or £150 a year. The community is aimed mainly at UK optometrists and optometry students, while welcoming eye care professionals at every stage and from around the world.
Monthly membership
£15 billed in advance each month.
Renews monthly until cancelled.
- All the courses, simulators and case studies above
- Digital book access and history-taking scripts
- Both forums, live events and community activities
Manage renewal through your community account.
Annual membership
Save £30 a year*£150 billed in advance each year.
Renews annually until cancelled.
- All the courses, simulators and case studies above
- Digital book access and history-taking scripts
- Both forums, live events and community activities
One annual payment, rather than monthly instalments.
*Compared with 12 monthly payments of £15 (£180). Cancel renewal in your account before the next billing date; access normally continues to the end of the paid period. Statutory cancellation and refund rights are unaffected. Read the membership terms and privacy notice before joining. Membership is for eligible adults aged 18+. The platform is guided mainly around UK optometry and the standards set by the General Optical Council; international members are welcome, but should understand that the community is UK-based. Existing agreed member offers remain subject to their original commitments.
Before you dive in.
The free directory and premium community are different parts of the site. Here’s how they fit together.
Are all the resources in the directory free?
Yes. The guides and learning tools in this directory are open at no cost. The premium community adds courses, simulators, digital book access and member spaces. Monthly and annual members get the same access.
Can these resources replace practical teaching?
No. Use them alongside your course, appropriate supervision, current professional guidance and local procedures. They do not certify competence or guarantee examination results. Neither membership nor reading an article automatically awards GOC CPD points; any approved activity would need its own explicit approval details.
Can I ask about an identifiable patient?
Please don’t share identifiable patient information, images or combinations of “jigsaw” details that could identify someone. This is not a second-opinion service. Use your appropriate clinical pathways for patient-care decisions; for a dedicated second-opinion app, see Ask Fellow Optoms.
Who can join the community?
Membership is for eligible adults aged 18 or over. Check the current membership terms for eligible professions and training routes before joining. Qualified professional participation is voluntary, not an endorsement or a promise of a response.
How do these free Skill Centre resources help with revision?
They are designed to help you revisit practical concepts, understand terminology and prepare questions for your official teaching and supervision. They do not replace your course, local procedures or professional judgement.
Are these resources CPD accredited?
No. Reading a Skill Centre article or using a learning tool does not award CPD points. Any future accredited activity would need clear, separate approval details.
Can I use the Skill Centre for a current patient or second opinion?
No. This is educational content, not a second-opinion or patient-advice service. Do not share identifiable patient or “jigsaw” information. Use your appropriate clinical pathways; for a dedicated second-opinion app, see Ask Fellow Optoms.