In 1980 the BOA was one of three founding bodies of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists), known since 1996 as The College of Optometrists. The other founding bodies were the Scottish Association of Opticians (now disbanded) and the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, granted its charter by Charles I in 1629 - which gave up its examining function in ophthalmic optics but continued a separate existence as one of the London Livery Companies.

British Optical Association Museum

The British Optical Association Museum was founded in London by John H. Sutcliffe OBE in 1901 as a collection of historic spectacles and visual aids designed to illustrate the development of corrective eyewear. It subsequently expanded its collecting activities to encompass ophthalmic instrumentation and the depiction of optometric subject matter in works of art such as paintings, prints and sculpture. With over 8000 catalogued objects it may be judged one of the most comprehensive and high quality collections of its type. Many of its objects are rare survivals and several are unique.

The BOA Museum provides a heritage service to the College, the WCSM and the wider optical professions. The public may visit the exhibition room (the Sutcliffe Room) by prior appointment or pay for a guided tour of the College meeting rooms in which various exhibits are displayed. The museum is a member of the London Museums of Health & Medicine.

External link

• Museum homepage with contact information