Teesside University £2.2m expansion of optometry facilities to boost student training and community eye care

Teesside University has announced a major expansion of its optometry facilities, significantly enhancing both its teaching capacity and its public-facing clinical services.

The new £2.2m state-of-the-art facility being constructed at the heart of its Middlesbrough campus will significantly increase the available optometry teaching space at the University for students studying the MOptom (Hons) Optometry course which has been fully accredited by the General Optical Council.

This will allow more students to pursue careers in optometry while providing high-quality eye care to the local community.

Designed across three floors, the new facility will serve dual purposes: education and public health.

The ground floor will feature a welcoming reception and patient waiting area featuring a sensory zone to ensure an inclusive environment, specialist clinics, pre-screening zones and a dispensing clinic.

The first floor will be a clinical teaching hub for first and second-year students, while the second floor will operate as a fully functional eye care clinic, where third-year students will work under the supervision of qualified professionals to deliver services to the public.

Professor Hannah Bartlett, Professor of Optometry and Inclusive Practice at Teesside University, said: “This expansion is a game-changer for both our students and the wider community.

“It allows us to train more future optometrists in a real-world clinical environment while addressing a critical gap in accessible eye care services.”

The North East faces a significant shortage of community optometry facilities, and this initiative helps bridge that divide. Teesside University’s initiative aims to alleviate some of this pressure by offering free services to the public, delivered by supervised students in a professional setting.

Dr Ann French, Dean of the School of Health & Life Sciences, added: “We are proud to be investing in facilities that not only elevate the quality of our teaching but also serve the public good.

“This development reflects our commitment to health equity and innovation in education. It’s a win-win for our students and the community.”

The new building is expected to open its doors to students starting optometry courses in September 2026, with public clinics running throughout the academic year.

Services will include comprehensive eye exams, vision screenings, and dispensing support.

For more information or to book an appointment at the clinic once open, please visit the link below.

The Optometry Clinic is part of Teesside University’s Integrated Care Academy (ICA) which fosters health-related education and clinical innovation through multi and interdisciplinary approaches, collaboration with healthcare partners, and community involvement. As part of the ICA, the Health and Wellbeing Hub provides clinical services to the University and local community in areas including chiropractic, dental hygiene, sports therapy and rehabilitation, sport performance and health & wellness. More information at the link below.

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