Aimy Huynh graduated from UNSW in 2023 and is currently working full time at an independent optometry practice. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, cooking and spending time with family and friends. Her favourite TV show is Friends and she love travelling to new places and eating lots of food!

Name:  Aimy Huynh

Workplace: Eyesense Optometrists

Favourite Disease: Dry Eye Disease

What about Optometry really grinds your gears? (if any!):

 When equipment malfunctions during the consultation! 

What drives your passion for Optometry?

Seeing how grateful my patients are by helping them throughout their vision journey, whether it’s prescribing glasses, diagnosing a disease, or listening to their troubles. 

Do you have any goals for your optometry career?

 I would love to be an all-rounder optometrist, including excelling in fitting hard contact lenses. 

Tell us about your journey as a new graduate optometrist!

Starting off as a new graduate was difficult and stressful as I realised it was very different to working at the university optometry clinic. I struggled the most on time management for consults, medicare billing, and learning how to prescribe glasses. Moreover, working on days where I was the only optometrist at the practice tested my ability to make clinical decisions on my own. Months later however, I feel more confident in my skills. I still have many things to learn, but I am willing to persevere to become a great healthcare practitioner. Seeing my patients happy with their care and having a laugh at work (with my coworkers and patients) has been a great reward in this career. 

What keeps your sane outside of your work life? Do you have any hobbies or passion you pursue?

Dancing keeps me sane outside of work! It is what I look forward to most during the week. Also, spending time with family and friends whenever I can helps me to destress. I also enjoy cooking and eating lots of food too!

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

My advice is don’t be too hard on yourself when you start working as a new graduate optometrist. Things will be difficult and stressful in the beginning, but remember that it is okay to make mistakes. Always be willing to learn more, regardless of how long you have been working. Preparation beforehand is also key to ensure you run on time during your consultations, such as knowing your medicare billing item numbers and looking at the patient’s spectacle record before they come in. Even doing simple things, such as removing trial lenses out of the trial frame from the previous patient, can save you time. Finally, it’s very important to have hobbies/interests outside of work so you can destress and enjoy your youth. You will do great and be proud of yourself for making it as an optometrist!