Doctor of Optometry

I’m an optometrist at the Australian College of Optometry. I really enjoy the combination of helping people and using the scientific knowledge I gained through my studies.

I’m often working with new Australians who may not have English as a first language, and I’ve found the skills I learned on externship in South Africa in my final year have really helped.

Spending two weeks on a Phelophepa health train delivering healthcare to rural and disadvantaged townships, meant I had to learn to communicate with people when we didn’t speak the same language. I’m more confident now seeing patients where it may be more difficult to communicate - I have other ways of getting the message across.

There are lots of speciality clinics to get involved at the College, like paediatrics, advanced contact lenses or glaucoma management with the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. I’m looking forward to finding out more, when the time is right.

The College also does a lot of outreach here in Australia, for example with people living in rural areas, Indigenous communities and homeless communities. I’d like to get involved. I did an outreach program in Sri Lanka before my final year of study and it really gave me a taste for that kind of work.

The teachers definitely pushed us in the early years of the course, particularly when it came to our clinical skills. While it was challenging at the time I can see how much it benefitted us now I’m in the workplace.

Optometry is a relatively small profession, so I still see my old supervisors and other students lots. It’s a really nice aspect of working in this field.