The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Analysis
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in London. It was registered in August 1988, 38 years ago. Its declared purposes cover education/training and the advancement of health or saving of lives, which this site groups under health and saving lives. It says it makes grants to individuals and sponsors or undertakes research.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists reported income of £7.9m and spending of £7.4m, spending 94% of its income. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £5.1m to £7.9m (+53%), an average of +11% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2025, when income rose by 18%. Over the whole period it spent 99% of the income it received.
Among 24,651 England and Wales charities whose main cause is health and saving lives and that reported income, The Royal College of Ophthalmologists sits at the 97th percentile: it is larger than about 97% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 99th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Nightingale House Hospice (£7.9m), Gordon Moody Association (£7.9m) and East Cheshire Hospice (£7.8m).
In its latest detailed accounts, income came from charitable activities 98% and investments 2.3%. Charitable activities took 98% of spending and raising funds 0.8%. Reserves of £6.5m would cover about 10 months of spending at that rate. It employed 39 people.
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Donations 0.0%
- Charitable activities 98%
- Investments 2.3%
In the charity's own words
The College creates and maintains standards in ophthalmic training and practice, organises examinations and sets the curriculum. It maintains a CPD system and provides surgical skills courses for trainees. It organises scientific meetings, publishes a scientific journal and provides information on ophthalmic matters for practitioners and the general public.It encourages eye related research.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Nightingale House Hospice | Wrexham | £7.9m |
| Gordon Moody Association | Redditch | £7.9m |
| East Cheshire Hospice | Macclesfield | £7.8m |
| Young Minds Trust | London | £7.9m |