Optical professionals cautiously optimistic about AI but raise concerns about errors and accountability,

Optical professionals cautiously optimistic about AI but raise concerns about errors and accountability, GOC survey finds

New 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 eye care, while highlighting a need for greater understanding of the technology and some concerns to be addressed.

The survey found that nearly half of registrants (45%) believe AI will improve the quality of eye care. However, understanding and practical engagement with AI remain at an early stage. When asked about their knowledge and understanding of AI in optical care, 40% rated it as good, while 60% rated it as poor. Over a fifth (22%) had done AI training in the last 12 months showing strong interest in this area.

Where AI was being used, this was most commonly to help maintain knowledge and skills (12%), support diagnosis (8%), or write patient correspondence (8%).

Registrants also identified concerns about the use of AI, with the top three being AI making errors (77%), uncertainty about legal responsibility if something goes wrong (76%), and a lack of transparency in how AI systems reach decisions (68%).

Beyond AI, the survey found encouraging signs of job satisfaction increasing (up from 55% in 2025 to 59%), while dissatisfaction fell slightly from 26% to 24%.

Additional qualifications are becoming more common for registrants, with the proportion of professionals without additional qualifications falling to 58% in 2026, compared to 65% in 2025 and 67% 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%).

Alongside these positive developments, the survey highlighted ongoing pressures affecting the delivery of eye care.

In the last 12 months, more than a third of respondents (36%) said they had found it difficult to provide patients with the level of care they need. Nearly half (47%) reported experiencing insufficient time for sight tests, while 38% reported pressure to see a high volume of patients. A third (34%) reported pressure to sell higher-value products and 31% reported pressure to meet targets at the expense of patient care.

Almost half of respondents (46%) 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% in 2025, but down from 50% in 2024).

Steve Brooker, Director of Regulatory Strategy at the GOC, said:

“Our survey suggests that AI is beginning to support the delivery of eye care, 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.”

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.

See the full 2026 registrant workforce and perceptions survey research report and infographics