Ring, (copper) catalogues for eye-doctors (8)
I believe the answer is:
oculists
'doctors' is the definition.
(oculist is a kind of doctor)
'ring copper catalogues' is the wordplay.
'ring' becomes 'o' (letter resembling a ring).
'copper' becomes 'cu' (chemical symbol).
'catalogues' becomes 'lists' (list can mean a catalogue).
'o'+'cu'+'lists'='OCULISTS'
'for eye' acts as a link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for oculists that I've seen before include "Specialists in care of the eyes" , "Specialists in treatment of eye diseases" , "Specialists in treatment of the eyes" , "Specialist in treatment of eye ailments" , "Eye defect experts" .)