For the 35,000 homeless individuals in New South Wales, the challenges of daily life are often magnified by something many of us take for granted—clear vision. Reduced sight, whether due to short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or age-related changes, can make simple tasks like reading a sign, filling out a form, or even recognizing a familiar face feel impossible.

At Eyes of Hope, a volunteer-led mobile eye clinic, these barriers are being removed, one eye exam at a time. Dedicated to bringing free eye checks and glasses to the homeless across Sydney, the organization is transforming lives and helping people regain their independence and dignity.

We had the privilege of sitting down with Angela, a volunteer at Eyes of Hope, to learn more about their mission, the impact of their work, and the stories that keep them inspired. Here’s what they had to share about this life-changing initiative. 

1. Tell us a bit about the history of Eyes of Hope, how and why it got formed.

Eyes of Hope didn’t begin as a structured organisation; it was simply an idea that, by pure coincidence, emerged in three minds at once. About a year and a half ago, three friends - Shen, Marc, and Rajeev - each found themselves making the same harrowing observation: a particular subset of patients were constantly falling through the cracks of public and private eyecare systems - those experiencing homelessness.

For Marc and Raj, both experienced Optometrists, and Raj an Ophthalmology trainee, this realisation was spurred on from years of working in clinics and observing the same groups of patients being overlooked or underserved. Meanwhile, Shen, an experienced medical doctor and Ophthalmology resident, had recently returned from a long stint working in Ophthalmology overseas in India, where he had seen first-hand the devastating impacts of untreated vision loss, and how an entirely different healthcare system managed to tackle its own unique challenges.

Through a series of chance conversations, they realised their shared vision - and so, Eyes of Hope was born. What started as a short Zoom meeting in November 2023 soon evolved into the first Eyes of Hope clinic in May 2024. Volunteers were recruited, equipment purchased, and the organisation was officially up and running. Within 9 months, Eyes of Hope had raised close to $100k in funds, which has gone towards upgrading clinic equipment, the purchase of a new van to house the mobile clinic (an upgrade from Shen’s back seat!), and admin staff to support clinic operations behind the scenes.

2. What’s your role and how did you get started with EOH?

The first time I heard of Eyes of Hope was in passing while in a private meeting with one of my professors, at a time where I was feeling directionless and completely burnt out from my studies. Later at home, I wandered onto the Eyes of Hope website, which shone light on the challenges of accessing optical care in Australia. It was very eye-opening to learn of an unconventional application of optical industry skills designed to confront this problem and make a difference for those who need it most.

After registering my interest, I started off as a Clinic Hero, conducting spectacle dispenses and collections within a team and shadowing the optometrist as a scribing assistant. After a few months of experience, my current role is Lead Clinic Manager which involves more administrative tasks, training, and implementing solutions to maximise clinic flow efficiency.

There’s a lot of improvisation - it’s challenging, rewarding, and invigorating. Eyes of Hope is a purposeful charity backed by wonderful people that helped me to realign my goals and reminded me of why I chose to study optometry in the first place.

3. Any particular stories about patients who have been impacted by the program?

Through Eyes of Hope, people of all walks of life are given the opportunity to access services that they otherwise may struggle to.

One person who stands out to me was a domestic violence survivor who visited one of our clinics to replace her glasses, which had been broken by her partner to limit her independence.

The Eyes of Hope team was able to provide an eye test and new glasses free of charge, which not only fulfilled the patient’s rights to necessary ocular healthcare, but also gave the patient a chance to reclaim her autonomy and improve her quality of life.

4. Any future goals for EOH?

Eyes of Hope is committed to delivering accessible and equitable eye care services to individuals experiencing homelessness and vulnerability, addressing critical barriers to healthcare in a comprehensive and innovative manner. Despite the widespread prevalence of homelessness across Australia, there still remains a distinct lack of organisations dedicated to catering to the eye care needs of this population in a comprehensive manner.

Our vision is to expand the reach of our clinics across the state, followed by the country, with a focus on establishing services around high density homeless populations and in locations aligned with our community partners. In the near future, we aim to incorporate ophthalmic services in our model of care, to address a very significant need that currently exists. Stay tuned!

5. How can optometrists participate in this program?

Eyes of Hope is seeking Volunteer Optometrists to help run clinics located in the Sydney CBD. Our clinics are at the following locations: KRC Clinic (Darlinghurst), Salvation Army Foster House (Surry Hills), and St Vincent de Paul Clinic (Woolloomooloo). A monthly commitment of 4 hours is all it takes to support this vital cause and help bridge the gap in eye care for those who need it most.

Eyes of Hope is also in need of equipment to further enhance the service we provide at our mobile clinics, so if there are any Optometrists who wish to donate equipment, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.

For more information on how to get involved, please visit our website,

https://www.eyesofhope.org.au or contact us at volunteers@eyesofhope.org.au.

The beginning of the year marks a new group of students embarking on their final year of optometry, and this also means a new Optomsoc Executive Team. We recently had the chance to catch up with Angela Zhang, President of Optomsoc and ask her some questions about what she's looking forward to this year. 

Hey Angela, for our YO members who don't know, can you introduce yourself and what your main role/s are as Optomsoc President?

Hi everyone! My name is Angela Zhang and I'm the UNSW OptomSoc President for 2025. This year we have an amazing all-girls team and I’m so excited to be leading it! My role is to help ensure that all students feel supported to grow both personally and professionally within the vision science and optometry community. OptomSoc holds several exciting events every year which allow students from the different cohorts to socialise with each other and de-stress from our busy uni lives! I’m also responsible for helping secure our external sponsors and maintain a strong relationship with them throughout the year. Many of these sponsors are also excellent contacts for final-year students in terms of support for job-seeking and navigating life as a new grad! Internally, I act as a liaison between students and staff in optometry and hold roles within faculty committees that focus on EDI and student wellbeing. I also host weekly meetings with the OptomSoc team to check in on how we’re all doing and help balance out the workload effectively.

What drives your passion for Optometry?

My passion for optometry is driven by my love for helping others and the excitement of being part of an ever-growing field with so many options beyond just clinical practice! From anything as small as an extra -0.25D for a low myope to life-changing RGP lenses for a keratoconus patient, it is incredibly rewarding to receive a patient’s positive feedback and know you have made a difference in their life. I also really enjoy getting to know patients and building rapport so they can feel safe and comfortable in the knowledge that we genuinely care and want to provide the best care we possibly can to them.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know?

The uni used to have a cat named Bluey who lived on campus near the upper end of main walkway… sadly haven’t seen him in a while because I think he got adopted, but he was so cute!

What is your go to place for food at uni?

I love Stockmarket inside Mathews food court on upper campus! They have the best salads and you can either order off their suggested menu or completely customise your own. I also like to visit Stellinis on lower campus for their delicious and super filling pastas!

Something others may not know about you:

I actually grew up in rural central Queensland, moved to Brisbane for high school, and then to Sydney for university! Having experienced both ends of the spectrum, I can truly appreciate the importance of having more accessible and comprehensive healthcare in remote/regional are

as. This understanding is one of the key factors that drove me towards a career in optometry.

What do you usually do to de-stress?

I love exploring different cafes and restaurants in Sydney and even have my own little foodie Instagram to share my finds. A good meal or cup of matcha never fails to cheer me up! I also enjoy baking/cooking, watching c-dramas and going on walks in the late afternoon when the sun isn’t too hot.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood?

Walking on Sunshine by Katrina And The Waves!

Best of luck with your final year of Optometry. Is there a particular rotation that you're interested in the most this year? (and why)

Thank you! I’m really looking forward to my regional preceptorship placement this year which hopefully will expose me to some more interesting cases, particularly surrounding paeds management and more complex pathology. I also love travelling so hopefully can make the most of our Hobart and Melbourne trips as well!

At the moment, do you have any preference with where you'd want to work/what you'd want to do after graduating? (eg. rural/metro/interstate, take a gap year before working etc)

I’m still keeping my options open at the moment, but I am interested in working rural/regional as a new grad! Ultimately, I think I would like to come back to metro and open my own practice though. I’m also currently engaging in a very interesting research project on the quality of life for AMD patients, so coming back for a PhD is not off the table either.

Is there anything you'd like to say/thoughts you have for future Angela at the end of this year?

I hope future Angela can look back and appreciate how rewarding it has been to be a part of such an amazing community, and to be grateful for all the opportunities and relationships I’ve built over the years! I hope I can have confidence in myself and my skills as I step into a new grad role and always remember why I chose to do optometry in the first place.

Owning an optometry business is like mixing clinical know-how with a bit of entrepreneurial hustle. It's all about balancing patient care with running the show behind the scenes. In this blog post, we're so fortunate to speak with Alison Abdullah, who's not only the owner of her optometry practice Lens Avenue, but also another skincare business;  where she shares her journey on what it's like to own and operate a practice, as well as challenges along the way. 

Alison graduated from UNSW in 2017, and furthered her studies and experience in New York City for 4 years before setting back to Australia and opening Lens Avenue in 2021. 

What made you want to own your own practice and how did you go starting up?

I've always had a passion for independent optometry, and coming back from the US, I was inspired to curate my own clinical and boutique optical space. I actually spent 2 weeks in hotel quarantine upon my return to Australia, and it was in that time that I liased with suppliers, spoke with my Australian mentors, and got the ball rolling on plans for Lens Avenue.

Should I take over an optometry business or start brand new?

That's a tough question! There are benefits to both paths. Obviously, taking over a business means you have established clientele, existing staff members who already understand the business, and there are definitely less hiccups to iron out. Alternatively, starting brand new means you get to establish your own reputation, build your clientele from scratch, and run things the way you want from the get go. I think it really depends on your personality and the type of business you're wanting to run! 

You have also started another business that specializes in skin and eye care. How is your work life balance as the owner of multiple businesses?

Yes I have! Dermii is a fun little collaboration between myself and my business partner, Luke. Luke also runs multiple businesses, so having each other to bounce ideas off has definitely helped. With two relatively new businesses, they need a lot of TLC and time, but I am hoping as they grow I can learn to take a small step back and delegate a lot of the day-to-day tasks.

 

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

There have been countless obstacles in my journey! I think the hardest part about a brand new business is establishing your own voice, and trying not to be swayed by what others in the industry are doing.

As an optometrist, was it hard learning the financial/business side to owning a practice? Is there any resources that you would recommend that might have helped you with this?

Oh - absolutely! I am still figuring things out, and constantly learning. Speaking with other practice owners and dispensers has definitely helped, and referring to Optometry Australia with any specific questions has always been my go to.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

Go for it! It has its challenges but it can be so rewarding! If you're going down the independent path, make sure you go into the process well-informed and with a good plan of how you want your business to operate and appear to the public. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.

What outlets do you turn to for stress relief when work becomes overwhelming?

I really enjoy my morning Pilates, and always make sure I get enough sleep - especially entering the busy Christmas months!

What part of owning an optometry practice brings you the most joy/satisfaction?

Being able to practice the way I want, and spending as much time with my patients as they need, is absolutely a highlight of owning my own practice. In just 3 years we have come to build a wonderful little community here - it's really a lovely place to work!

Thank you Alison for your insights!

This blog's spotlight is on one of our executive members, Yeghia Gharibian, who is not only the advocacy officer for Young Optometrists but is also involved with the Armenian EyeCare Project. In July of this year, Yeghia embarked on another trip to Armenia to volunteer and train other health professionals. We now have the honor of catching up with him to hear about his experience.

Hi Yeghia! For those who don’t know you yet, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Yeghia Gharibian. I graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2020 with a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Clinical Optometry. Since then, I have been practicing full-scope optometry in various clinics across Sydney and regional NSW. Currently, I practice predominantly at Northern Beaches Optical in Narrabeen. I am passionate about providing quality eye care services to patients and the wider community. In my spare time, I volunteer for Young Optometrists and the Armenian EyeCare Project.

How did you get involved with the Armenian EyeCare Project? 

The Armenian EyeCare Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating preventable blindness and making eye care accessible to all in Armenia. It was established by American ophthalmologist Dr. Roger Ohanesian in 1992, who led medical missions to Armenia with a team of doctors from diverse backgrounds, aiming to improve eye care services in the country. I first heard about the Armenian EyeCare Project during my final year of study in 2020, amidst the war in Armenia. The organization was actively assisting injured soldiers at that time, and I resolved to support them once I completed my studies. In 2023, I joined the organization’s medical mission to Armenia for the first time and have since been involved in supporting their initiatives in optometry.

You've recently returned from a trip to Armenia to help train doctors there. Could you tell us more about the trip and what you did? 

During my most recent visit to Armenia in July 2024, I organized a series of webinars and in-person workshops focusing on core optometry skills such as refraction, contact lenses, and ocular health assessment. In my 2023 visit, I co-facilitated the optometry component of an international conference, presenting on topics like myopia management. My talk, “Routine Eye Examinations Prevent Blindness,” drew on my knowledge from the ACO course in Public Health and Leadership in Eye Care and my private practice experience. Sharing my experiences in primary practice in Australia allowed me to support not only students but also practicing optometrists and ophthalmologists.

You seem to enjoy advocating and improving the optometry profession both in Australia and overseas! How do you balance your passions, work as an optometrist, and avoid burnout? 

It’s fulfilling to make a positive impact and support others. Although balancing responsibilities can be challenging, I manage by staying organized and taking breaks when needed to prevent burnout.

Do you have any advice for young optometrists who want to pursue passions outside of work but are unsure where to start?

The hardest part is always getting started. My best advice is to take small steps towards your passions. If you are genuinely passionate, you will find the momentum needed to keep going.

Any interesting or funny stories from your trip?

Most people in Armenia speak English, but I was impressed by how quickly my American colleagues picked up Armenian phrases to assist with eye examinations and build rapport with non-English-speaking patients. I also found the Mobile Eye Hospital fascinating—a large truck efficiently designed with rooms for consultations and surgery. We observed a cataract surgery in progress via a live screen in another room.

Were there any significant differences in clinical practice for optometrists in Armenia compared to Australia? Or anything you wish you could practice here as well?

The Armenian Optometry Association was only formed in 2022, so I noticed some differences in practice compared to Australia. For example, there is a need for qualified optometrists to support advanced contact lens fittings for patients with corneal ectasias.

Thanks so much for giving us insight into your trip. Where can we find out more about you and the Armenian EyeCare Project?

You can follow @northernbeachesoptical and @armenianeyecare, and visit https://eyecareproject.com/donate-now/ for more information.

Owning an optometry business is like mixing clinical know-how with a bit of entrepreneurial hustle. It's all about balancing patient care with running the show behind the scenes. In this blog post, we're so fortunate to speak with Thalia Lim, Optometry Director for Specsavers Mittagong, where she shares her journey on what it's like to own and operate a practice. 

Tell us a bit about yourself and how you go into optometry. 

I'm Thalia, a 2019 graduate of optometry from UNSW. Currently, I serve as the optometry director at a Specsavers store in a regional area and I’m a subcommittee member of Young Optometrists. My journey into optometry began unexpectedly when I started as a dispenser at an optometry practice. As I immersed myself in the profession, my interest grew, leading me to pursue optometry as a career.

What made you want to own your own practice and how did you go starting up?

Towards the end of my second year as a new graduate optometrist, I began contemplating my career trajectory. With a growing interest in business and finance, I saw the role of a business owner as an opportunity to expand my skills and diversify my responsibilities beyond eye testing. I enrolled in the Specsavers pathways program to strengthen my leadership and management abilities and build on my financial understanding. Subsequently, I seized the chance to become a franchisee and bought into an existing store.

Should I take over a business or start brand new?

Both options—starting anew or buying into an established business—come with their own challenges and rewards and is really up to the individual. Personally, purchasing an existing business provided the benefit of an established patient base and operational profitability. However, it also meant navigating a larger financial loan and adapting to existing management styles and team dynamics.

What are some points to consider when going from employee to employer?

The transition from employee to employer brings significant changes. It involves assuming additional roles and responsibilities, balancing work-life demands, undertaking financial risks, and mastering the art of managing staff and navigating challenging situations

How is your work life balance as a business owner?

Balancing work and personal life has become crucial since being a business owner, and I’m still in the process of trying to establish boundaries and manage my priorities in order to maintain a sustainable lifestyle. While managing the business demands has increased my workload, I have also tried to focus on protecting my mental health and fostering a supportive environment with my business partners.

What was the biggest obstacle you encountered during your journey, and how did you overcome it?

Effective people management as a new business owner has been a major hurdle for me. Trying to manage a diverse range of personalities within a sizable team while fostering a positive culture has posed as an ongoing challenge that I’m still working on. To manage this I’ve been working on finding effective ways to run team meetings and having one on one check ins with each team member to provide feedback and ensure they feel supported within the team.

As an optometrist, was it hard learning the financial/business side to owning a practice? Is there any resources that you would recommend that might have helped you with this (if any)

The Specsavers pathways program proved invaluable, equipping me with essential financial insights and business fundamentals—from profit and loss statements to team leadership.

Prior to business ownership, I actively sought knowledge from my employers and supplemented my learning with podcasts on business management in order to improve my financial literacy. Seeking guidance from experienced business owners was also helpful. Learning from their successes and mistakes provided invaluable lessons in navigating the complexities of business ownership.

What advice would you like to give to all the YOs that are interested in opening their own business?

If owning a business is something you’re thinking about, do your research, improve your financial understanding, talk to other business owners and make sure you are committed to the role. The journey to being a business owner has been a rewarding and enjoyable journey for me despite the challenges I’ve faced. It's a path that demands continuous growth, adaptability, and a commitment to learning but I’m glad I have made the decision to go down this path.

Ever wonder what it's like to be in the Young Optometrists Committee and what each role entails?  If you are, here is one of our new segments where we introduce to you a member of our committee and showcase their career path, passion projects, as well as what they do in YO. 

Our next interview is with our Social Media and Publications subcommittee member Austin Tang!

Hey Austin, please tell us a bit about yourself!

I graduated from UNSW in 2018 and have recently joined 2 independent practices in Western Sydney with a focus on advanced contact lenses, paediatrics and dry eye. Prior to this, I completed a few years of practice in regional NSW and most recently worked as a Staff Optometrist and Clinical Educator at the Australia College of Optometry.

What does you role involve in the YO committee?

I am on the Social Media and Publications Subcommittee. Part of my role is working with the education team to deliver communications on upcoming events, to our members.

What made you join YO as a committee member in the first place and what do you like about your role now?

I wanted to have a platform to connect with likeminded optometrists who wanted to make a positive difference to the profession.

Outside of optometry, do you have any hobbies you enjoy? 

I have always enjoyed following and playing tennis and have an interest in art as well, where I have done some commissions. (Check out @austintangart on Instagram!)

YO works closely with optometry students and graduates in their first years of the careers. Looking back, any funny stories or memories you had while you were a student or during your first few years out?

I think the greatest memories were formed in my first few years working out in regional areas, particularly in my first year when I was the sole optometrist at the practice. There was a lot more responsibility but I enjoyed that patients were more appreciative of services and I was able to get involved with community activities such as joining the tennis club and joining a Men's Shed.

Is there anything you wish can change in the optometry profession? Or anything you liked to see us optometrists being able to do in the future?

It has been great that there have been discussions surrounding increasing the scope of practice of optometry and it is a space that I am excited to follow. I would also like to see more optometrists experience practicing in regional areas.

The beginning of the year marks a new group of students embarking on their final year of optometry, and this also means a new Optomsoc Executive Team. We recently had the chance to catch up with Justin McNamara, President of Optomsoc and ask him some questions about what he's looking forward to this year. 

Hey Justin, for our YO members who don't know, can you introduce yourself and what your main role/s are as Optomsoc President?

Hello everyone, I’m Justin McNamara and I’m the OptomSoc President for 2024. This role is best split up into three main parts. The first involves advocating internally for students and holding roles within the school’s academic and pastoral care subdivisions. Externally, the OptomSoc team create and distribute the sponsorship program. Following emails and meetings, we lock in sponsors and liaise with them throughout the year. The final branch is my team. Final year is tough and requires balance, so I aim to make sure that our tasks are evenly distributed, and we continuously support each other. Our weekly team meetings offer a chance to talk all things OptomSoc as well as check-in on each other’s wellbeing and interesting clinical cases (of course).

What drives your passion for Optometry?

My passion for Optometry is driven by those “wow” moments and patient interaction. Optometrists have the ability to significantly change the way a person sees the world, literally and figuratively. From fitting a scleral lens that provides a patient with better vision than they’ve ever experienced to that +0.25 that gives a presbyope clear vision. I find challenges and problem-solving extremely rewarding. Whilst not always the case, there is often immediate feedback from patients, and they frequently express their gratitude.

Something you discovered about the uni not everyone may know? 

About a year ago, I discovered that UNSW staff have access to “The Lounge” on level 11 of the library. Safe to say that they’re spoilt for views!

What is your go to place for food at uni?

The Coffee Cart (upper campus) or Plume (lower campus) for coffee. My go to lunch spot is either Stellini’s or Roundhouse for its special daily deal. In saying that I’m usually well prepared and bring something from home!

Something others may not know about you: 

I grew up in country NSW before coming to Sydney for high school and university. From a hobby standpoint, I’m currently in the process of building a guitar from scratch (little by little). And as many may know, I’m into running, swimming and cycling. Turns out this is the perfect formula for triathlon so I think one may be on the cards in the near future.

What do you usually do to de-stress?

I find that playing guitar/piano or some form of physical activity helps me to relax. A beach trip can go a long way too. I’ve also come to appreciate daily tasks and their power to help me reset. For example, cooking can be a great way to decompress and use some creative energy, plus you get to enjoy the final product.

What song do you play that instantly lifts your mood?

Uptown Funk is a guaranteed mood lift!

What made you interested in becoming Optomsoc President?

In recent years I’ve developed an interest in taking on leadership roles. I find that it provides a platform to connect, meet others and to have a greater contribution to our community. I also feel that it has resulted in personal growth which I find rewarding. I hope to continue exploring this interest in the professional Optometry space.

Do you have any goals you'd like to achieve as President for this year?

I hope to provide a supporting environment and to promote a sense of community across cohorts. This has both short and long-term benefits as we will all be colleagues facing similar challenges in the near future and beyond. I also hope to provide balanced information to all students about future career options. Fortunately, there’s a lot of people and organisations willing to contribute to this goal!

Best of luck with your final year of Optometry. Is there a particular rotation that you're interested in the most this year?

Thank you! I’m especially looking forward to the Centre for Eye Health rotation! When deciding to pursue Optometry, I wasn’t aware of the scope Optometrists have. Ocular pathology is something I’ve taken a great interest in, so I look forward to working with experienced clinicians in a clinical setting with a variety of pathology. I think I’ll also enjoy the teamwork involved in their collaborative care model.

Is there a subject you're anxious about doing this year?

I can’t say that I’m particularly anxious about any subject. Thanks to all our lecturers and tutors throughout the years, I feel we’ve been given all the tools for success. With that being said, I do need to brush up on my anterior disease and therapeutic knowledge for red eye in October.

Is there anything you'd like to say/thoughts you have for future Justin at the end of this year?

I hope that by the end of this year I can reflect on an enriching experience and be very grateful to have been involved in such a tight-knit community and the opportunities it provided. I hope that I have full confidence in all aspects of clinical Optometry and that I’ve built lasting relationships. By end of year, I also hope I’ve booked time to travel before full-time work begins!

At the moment, do you have any preference with where you'd want to work/what you'd want to do after graduating? 

At the moment I’m keeping an open mind however, I’ve always been interested in independent Optometry. I like the idea of having professional freedom and I would like to pursue further learning in behavioral optometry, advanced contact lenses, and ocular pathology. I think starting out rurally is a great opportunity as it can provide greater scope and variety of cases, plus it would be great knowing that work is a 15-minute drive no matter the time of day.

Young Optometrist closely supports Optomsoc and UNSW Optometry School, and we wish our fifth year friends all the best for this year!

Ever wonder what it's like to be in the Young Optometrists Committee and what each role entails?  If you are, here is one of our new segments where we introduce to you a member of our committee and showcase their career path, passion projects, as well as what they do in YO. 

Our first interview is with our new Education Officer, Crystal Dang! 

Hey Crystal, please tell us a bit about yourself! 

I graduated from UNSW in 2021 and have since been practicing at a full-scope independent optometry practice in Cabramatta. My strongest interest is ocular disease and therapeutics. I have always been passionate towards helping people and optometry has allowed me to become a primary practitioner that can provide healthcare to the community for so much pathology in terms of ocular pathology and systemic associations. 

Please tell us what your role is in YO and what the role entails.

I was an education subcommittee member but have recently been appointed YO education  officer. This new role involves organising and coordinating educational events for YO members. I work with the rest of the education subcommittee to contact ophthalmologists and optometrists who would be interested in providing a talk in one of their specialty areas that we think will be interesting to our members. We discuss all the details of where, when, what the presentation would be about and the objectives of the talk have been organised. Once that has been figured out, it becomes more admin-related and involves a process of applying for CPD hours, creating an event on the YO website and liaising with our social media and publications committee to design our graphics and promote the event. Finally, on the day of the event I work with the committee members to host the event and ensure its smooth-sailing and enjoyable to all of YOu.

What made you join YO as a committee member in the first place and what do you like about your role now?

I joined YO as a committee member in the first place because in my final year of university YO was really involved and supportive to us with dedicated events for students like the therapeutic study session in preparation for therapeutic oral exams and the bootcamp that gave me good pointers prior starting my first day of my new career. Essentially there were so many things unknown to us just coming into the profession and I felt at ease that there was a group willing to be there for us as students and early in our career. It drove me to get involved and see what I could do to support other students and early career optometrists because we all would have shared that similar experience. Now I feel like my role enables to me play an active role in planning and engaging in the educational events and it pushes myself out of my comfort to be more extroverted and network with other optometrists and ophthalmologists.

Outside of optometry, what other hobbies do you have? (ie. hobbies, side hustles, interesting trips you've done etc)

Mariane Nguyen graduated in 2015 and now practices in South Coast NSW. In 2020, with she started Untagged, a small business specializing in handmade pet ID tags. 

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hello, YO community :) My name is Mariane and I have been an optometrist in the south coast of NSW since 2015. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine myself as an entrepreneur but that all changed in 2020. With all the spare time I had during COVID lockdowns in regional NSW, like many others, I decided to buy a new puppy. My husband and I named our new Cavoodle puppy - Archie. He had the tiniest button nose at 8 weeks old and we were in love instantly with him and couldn't say no. When it came to the fun part, the acquisition of dog accessories, we had a lot of trouble finding accessories that were small enough for him. We had trouble searching for extra small dog collars and dog tags and ended up getting a cat collar! This is where I had some time to dive into the world of pet businesses. I saw a gap in the pet accessory market for pet ID tags. I launched a collection of metal 'baby tags' which are all hand-stamped & handmade and my small business has supported me through COVID as well as maternity leave and even now in 2023.

Where can we find and follow your page?

Instagram: @untagged.au

Website: www.untagged.com.au

What made you want to study optometry/be an optometrist?

I have always wanted a career in health & have always found fulfillment in helping others. After high school, I enrolled in Adv Science @ UNSW and came across a vision module that sparked my interest in optometry.

Tell us about your typical day or week as a business owner. What do you find are the most challenging aspects and most rewarding?

The most challenging aspect of owning my own business is being able to balance work with family time. Because I enjoy making the tags as well as working on the business, it is easy for me to get lost in my home office for several hours. I have therefore decided to allocate 3 days a week where I work on my orders. Another challenge for me is the amount of time spent on my phone for social media/marketing - I am still working on this one haha. The most rewarding part of my business is seeing photos of my customer's pets in my handmade tags as well as seeing repeated customers - this is the greatest compliment for me.

How do you balance between optometry and your own business/passion project? 

It was difficult to find the right balance! What I found has helped is not leave too many loose ends behind. When I clock off as an Optometrist, I try to ensure I have finished all my referrals/reports and other optometry-related work so that my mind can switch off when I am working on my business at home. Likewise, when I am working on UNTAGGED, I do the same to the best of my ability. The reason for this is that I left too many things unfinished. I would dwell on it at home and it made me less efficient when I was working on UNTAGGED. I also have set days that I work on the business during the week and outside these times, I am either in clinic or spending time with family. This is still a work in progress. 

Do you have any advice for young optometrists out there who would like to pursue their passion but haven’t quite gotten started?

I say go for it! But before you do, ask yourself why you want to pursue this passion, how will you pursue it and what are you pursuing. I'd also recommend having a plan, and then a backup plan - don't throw all eggs in one basket, and be willing to be fluid & resilient. 

Karuna Darvesh graduated optometry at the end of 2022 and is going on to the end of her graduate year at Specsavers. She enjoys taking her dog for little adventures, playing sports, traveling to new places, and eating different cuisines. She recently had the exciting opportunity to perform Bharatanatyam (an ancient classical Indian dance form) at the Qudos Bank Arena to welcome the Indian Prime Minister, Mr. Narenda Modi. 

Tell us about your journey as a new graduate optometrist!

The transition from doing numerous placements during university to a graduate optometrist was initially a challenging experience. I am very grateful to all my mentors and colleagues for all their patience and support in helping me to develop my skills, communication and confidence as a practitioner. The open door policy allowed me to ask questions or get a second opinion at any time with my designated mentor. There have also been several new graduate events held throughout to check in with all first year graduates, which is a nice way to interact with peers and share each others’ experiences. 

Ocular Disease that you find interesting

It’s always exciting when you see your very first presentation of a disease (especially when it was assessed in your therapeutics oral exam!) For me this was acute anterior uveitis and it is rewarding when your management can help the patient. 

What drives your passion for Optometry? 

Being able to help people to experience clearer, comfortable and functional vision is what drives my passion for optometry. It is so satisfying to see the positive impact that you can have on a patient’s quality of life through your recommendations and management. It has taught me to never underestimate the importance of the small things which can actually make a great difference. 

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

My goals for optometry include learning new skills, experiencing practice at different locations and ultimately becoming the best optometrist that I can be. I want to strive to continue making a difference to the lives of my patients. It is all about addressing and understanding the patient’s concern and giving them the best care that you possibly can to improve their quality of life. 

Looking back at this year, what was your biggest worry going in as a new graduate and how did you overcome that? (if you could remember) 

My biggest worry going in as a new graduate was time management. I started off with almost 1 hour long appointment slots and this time was slowly reduced over the year. This enabled me to hone my clinical skills and focus on improving upon areas of weakness. I also worked a few days at other stores to challenge myself and learn to adapt to different environments.

What advice would you give to optometry students who are about to become graduate optometrists in 2024?

Embrace this new chapter in your life, keep an open mind and be willing to learn as much as possible. Learn from your mentors, colleagues and friends. Ask lots of questions and don't hesitate to seek help when you need it. It will always feel difficult at the start but after some time you will form a good routine and feel more comfortable in your role. And finally, enjoy the process. After the final exams make sure to take some time off to relax, travel and spend time doing the things you love before you start full time work. It’s important to have a balance and make sure you are keeping yourself healthy and happy!