Opsis was set up in 1992 by six independent charities who believed that, by working together, they could enhance the opportunities for people who are visually impaired. Soon after this, two further organisations joined to make up the eight current Partners.
Originally, the organisation was based in Salisbury. It moved to London and then to Queen Alexandra College in Harborne, Birmingham in 1997.
Previous Executive Officers of Opsis have included Sir Anthony Walker, Chris Binks and Chris Gregory and the current Chief Executive Officer is Mike Brace OBE.