Registrants cautious about AI in eyecare
Snapshot of survey findings
Findings from the General Optical Council’s (GOC) 2026 registrant workforce and perceptions survey show that registrants are “cautiously optimistic” about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to support eyecare, while highlighting a need for greater understanding of the technology and some concerns to be addressed.
Forty-five per cent of survey respondents said they believed AI would improve eyecare quality. However, when asked about their knowledge and understanding of AI in optical care, 60 per cent rated it as poor – though 22 per cent had carried out AI training in the last 12 months.
Where AI was being used, this was most commonly to help maintain knowledge and skills (12 per cent), support diagnosis (eight per cent), or write patient correspondence (eight per cent).
Registrants also identified concerns about the use of AI, with the top three being AI making errors (77 per cent), uncertainty about legal responsibility if something went wrong (76 per cent), and a lack of transparency in how AI systems reached decisions (68 per cent).
Beyond AI, the survey found an increase in job satisfaction – up to 59 per cent this year compared to 55 per cent in 2025. Job dissatisfaction fell slightly from 26 per cent to 24 per cent.
The proportion of professionals with additional qualifications rose to 42 per cent in 2026, compared to 35 per cent in 2025 and 33 per cent in 2023.
Qualifications in areas including glaucoma, medical retina and contact lens practice have become increasingly common, while gaining additional qualifications or skills remained the most frequently planned career change among respondents (40 per cent).
The survey also highlighted ongoing pressures affecting the delivery of eyecare. In the last 12 months, 36 per cent of respondents said they had found it difficult to provide patients with the level of care they need. Forty-seven per cent reported experiencing insufficient time for sight tests, while 38 per cent reported pressure to see a high volume of patients.
Thirty-four per cent reported pressure to sell higher-value products, and 31 per cent reported pressure to meet targets at the expense of patient care.
Forty-six per cent said they had personally experienced some form of harassment, bullying, or abuse at work (or study for those in education) in the last 12 months – up from 44 per cent in 2025, but down from 50 per cent in 2024.
Steve Brooker, GOC director of regulatory strategy, said: “Our survey suggests that AI is beginning to support the delivery of eyecare, and registrants are cautiously optimistic about its benefits. At the same time, they have identified important concerns, particularly around the risk of errors, accountability when things go wrong, and transparency in decision-making.
“As AI becomes more widely used across healthcare, regulation has an important role to play in supporting responsible innovation that commands the confidence of both professionals and the public. We look forward to responding to the forthcoming report of the National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare.
“It is encouraging to see job satisfaction improving and more registrants gaining additional qualifications. The growth in specialist skills across the professions will help support the delivery of enhanced primary eye care services in the years ahead.
“However, while these are positive developments, registrant concerns regarding workplace culture and commercial pressures persist. Our thematic review into commercial practices will identify concrete steps to address these issues,” Steve concluded.
The findings are based on the GOC’s annual survey of registrants, which explores their experiences of working in clinical practice and their views on issues affecting the optical professions. The survey was conducted between March and April 2026, and 3,451 responses were received.
View the full 2026 registrant workforce and perceptions survey research report and infographics.