Meet your College student reps

Our reps make sure you have a say on our activities by passing on your feedback, questions and ideas. They also keep you updated on what’s going on at the College and how we can support you at university. Look out for their blogs and social media posts. 


Any questions, ideas, feedback? Get in touch with your reps:

Your 2024 student reps

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Anusha Hussain

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
Optometry sparked my interest after getting my eyes tested at my local opticians. The professionalism, knowledge and hands-on skill that the optometrist possessed inspired me to pursue this career.

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
The muti-faceted nature of the degree. It combines not only science, but also technology, business and ethics.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The student resources page on The College of Optometrists website allows access to the CMGs, ethical scenarios, and much more.

Louis Abbott

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
I was inspired to become an optometrist after getting a placement as an apprentice at a local Specsavers practice.

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
Binocular vision as it’s an area I haven't been able to explore yet when working in practice and studying as a dispensing optician, so it was something new and interesting. I was able to apply my knowledge of prism correction to the theory and management of patient who aren’t orthophoric and felt like the final puzzle piece being fitted together.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I have on occasion advised my fellow cohort to look through the case scenarios available to get a good idea of what can present in practice and to build up familiarity for when they start their pre-registration placement in preparation for stage two.

Thenuka Sivasegar

What's your favourite piece of equipment and why?
I’m finding the trial lenses my favourite piece of equipment - it’s got all the different increments and handy when refracting a patient’s eyes or during focimetry. 

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
So far I’m surprised by the heavier focus on the mathematical and biological aspects rather than the physical aspects as I expected.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
One of the handiest tools of the College is the online website - it provides a good concise interface with latest information and news on a branch/topic of optometry.

Alaynah Urooj

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?
My favourite piece of equipment is my trial frame; you can’t do anything without a trial frame. Bonus points if it’s comfortable.

What’s your favourite topic area?
Right now, my favourite topic area is the clinical practice module as it allows us to gain valuable skills as we get ready to examine patients, diagnose conditions and prescribe corrective measures.

Which College resource do you recommend?
I recommend ‘Clinical Management Guidelines' from The College Of Optometrists. It lists lots of conditions and gives you information on how to diagnose and manage these.

Hifsah Qamar

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
A slit lamp because it has many uses in optometry e.g., viewing anterior and interior eye, gonioscopy, contact lens fit and assessment.

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
Learning about the anatomy of the eye and the different diseases and conditions that can affect the eye has been one of the most interesting parts for me so far.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The Clinical Management Guidelines have been set out quite nicely on The College of Optometrist’s website, so it is quick and easy to refer to when looking into various eye conditions. The College’s Instagram page is also useful to keep up to date with news and events happening at the College.

Zonish Khan

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
Being introduced to the field of optics after a family member had cataract surgery, allowed me to appreciate the impact eyesight has to one’s quality of life. Other than correcting vision, eye examinations can detect both ocular and systemic health problems. This includes conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure and even a brain tumour! The unique blend of biology and physics also appealed to me and, as the eye is such a complex topic, I am able to broaden my knowledge whilst helping a range of people. Finally, the growing demand for optometrists gives you the opportunity to practice in primary & secondary healthcare settings. 

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I’ve found the eye podcast and College library catalogue stimulating and helpful! 

Ikrah Mahmood

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
I have found many aspects surprising, but to highlight some, it would be the constant evolution of technology in optometry—from digital imaging to advanced tools for identifying refractive errors, contributing to innovation in the field. I love the hands-on experience from day one. I also find the anatomy of the eye very interesting. It's remarkable how a small structure can provide a wealth of information about the overall health of an individual. For example, it can offer insights into conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol issues, and even certain cancers.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The College of Optometrists is really good, especially for extra revision to support me alongside my lectures. It can be difficult to find a wealth of resources to support my learning alongside lectures, but The College of Optometrists has several sub-sections on their website, such as research, contact lenses, publications and journals. They also have various webinars that anyone can attend. The "Career Pathways" section is very good, as once qualified, there are all sorts of opportunities and roles within optometry, and the website is useful for researching ideas and learning more. Also, I must say the app is very handy.

Hannah Erica Calimpusan

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
I think it would have to be the amount of practical experience that I gain in the first year. I initially believed the first year wouldn't have so much practical work however I am learning slit lamp techniques, a full sight test routine, soft contact lenses and as of this moment I am learning to do volk. 

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
I really like the slit lamp and especially using the techniques I've learnt to view the cornea and the lens. This solidified during my placement week where I was able to use the slit lamp to see patients with some abnormalities that I wouldn't be able to have seen with my peers.  

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I like to use the ethical scenarios. It is especially helpful for one of my modules where we have some lectures on the ethics, morals and responsibilities of optometrists. The ethical scenarios are a resource where you are able to read a scenario and choose an option of what you would do in that situation and then tell you whether the answer was right or wrong with an explanation.

Eduard-Daniel Matusa

What's your favourite piece of equipment and why?
My favourite piece of equipment is actually the retinoscope. A lot of students shy away from it but from the first day I entered my clinical skills lab, I enjoyed using it the most and I'm practicing as much as I can to ensure I become a master at it.

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
The most surprising part of studying so far for me was learning how the eye is anatomically related to the whole body, especially our brain. It has really made me appreciate how complex our eyes can be and how important it is to ensure they are kept healthy.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The 'student resources' page is a must see for all students looking to do that extra piece of research to ensure they are prepared for the future lectures to come.

Tay Reid

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
That so much about a person's health can be seen through the eyes and the true importance of regular check ups!

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
It has to be the focimeter! It's satisfying when you measure a prescription out accurately!

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
Definitely Anatomy & Physiology, I like understanding how it all works and the connection to overall health!

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
For me, I like the app! I can go on and see the news section or look at upcoming events that students are allowed to attend.

Tatiana Duzy

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
Realising just how physics-heavy the first year really is. It has really been eye-opening! I now really appreciate physics as the backbone of optometry.

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
My favourite piece of equipment so far is the retinoscope. I find retinoscopy fascinating - the way it allows me to objectively determine a patient's refractive error by neutralising the motion of the reflected light is ingenious. Though it takes precision and care, the feeling when everything neutralises and the motion stops is so satisfying!

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
Eyepod, the optometry podcast. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this fantastic resource for supplementing my studies! They cover a wide range of interesting topics relevant to optometry students and eyecare professionals.

Abdullah Haj Mustafa

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
It was a combination of personal experience with amblyopia and passion for eye healthcare being accessible to everyone that led me to optometry. 

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far? 
This profession is miles bigger than sight testing. Optometrists can go more in-depth into fields such as glaucoma monitoring and independent prescribing. Doors are wide open to grow in the eye care sector.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students? 
Go the extra mile in studying for your degree with Library and Information Services that contains references to fill gaps within your university material. Also, keep up with the College on X, YouTube and other media channels.

Jack Hearne

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?
I’d say my favourite piece of equipment is my Volk lens. After years of studying DO with the aspiration of becoming an OO, when I finally learnt the techniques of Indirect Ophthalmoscopy it felt surreal. It’s a very difficult skill initially but I’m trying to hone this now and I feel I am building a better relationship with my Volk lens!

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
It’s difficult to choose between pathophysiology and binocular vision (BV). I enjoy learning about different pathologies, the mechanisms in which they present themselves, and their development over time. I also enjoy BV because as a DO I interact with a lot of children who have been seen by an orthoptist. Understanding this area in more detail from an optometrists perspective makes me feel more confident in my advice as a practicing DO.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The Clinical Management Guidelines are fantastic at giving you detailed credible information quickly on a large quantity of eye conditions. I personally like the Ethical Scenarios page as it gives context to standards of practice and guidance learnt at university level in the real world. From my university experiences I think Standards of Practice and legislation can be a hard topic for a lot of students to engage enthusiastically. However, it’s essential we all have an intrinsic understanding of these laws and guidance for safe practice, and the Ethical Scenarios page really helps with this.

Deepali Poojara

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
The most surprising part about studying for optometry is how much detail we are taught. It’s amazing how much the eyes link to the rest of the body!

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
My favourite optical equipment is my Volk lens. I have enjoyed being able to practice my Volk skills and it's fascinating how this small lens allows me to detect disease and check the health of my patients' eyes.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I would recommend the Clinical Management Guidelines (CMGs) for all conditions as they are insightful and concise to understand for fellow students to use for rest of their careers

Rahul Verma

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
Sitting as a patient for 3rd year students has been very interesting and incredibly enjoyable for me at least. It has allowed me to experience a part of optometry I have not experienced before - hard and soft contact lenses. The difference between them is unbelievable. As a patient, I was also able to see first-hand the difficulties for a student optometrist compared to a professional. This has only increased my respect for the profession!

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
Definitely maths! Learning about the clinical connections between Snellen and LogMAR and why a hospital ophthalmologist needs to use more accurate measurements allows me to enjoy the mathematical journey behind it

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The webinars for students are great as the lessons go over each detail we need and even tests your knowledge. The library is another great tool as it goes over many topics that may aid your studies or enhance your academic curiosity.

Aneeka Rahman

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
Whilst I assumed that physics would play a part in Optometry, I didn’t expect it to be such a big part of my first year in optometry. You assume that health related careers are mainly biology and anatomy based, but a lot of optometry of course includes optics!

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
I love the clinical aspect of optometry. This is because we put all of our theory into practice, and we can help patients in real time with this. I cannot wait to be able to interact with patients in our clinics, and to be able to try to help them with any issues they have.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
There are a lot of student friendly resources on the College website, but the ones that I think are really useful are the CMGs ‘Clinical Management Guidelines', as this shows you information on the diagnosis and management of a range of conditions, which would be really handy to access in practice, and also the Ethical Scenarios section. I feel that this is a way to make you feel more confident in practice, as you will not feel overwhelmed if you have to deal with these challenges in person.

Hamza Ghani

What has been the most surprising part of studying optometry so far?
So far it’s been the sheer volume of content. I thought I would be looking at eye pictures and diagnosing the problem but it's more than that!

What’s your favourite piece of equipment and why?
The 90D volk lens has to be my favourite equipment used along with the Slit lamp. This is because the detail pic you see of the fundus, the blood vessels, optic disc and all sorts to detect majority of the pathology.

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I recommend the College leaflet guides, these provide with quick summary of the topic and useful information.

Zak Saleem

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why? 
Ocular Pathology and Therapeutics captivates me the most. Exploring various eye diseases and their treatment modalities fascinates me. The ability to diagnose and manage conditions, together with the potential to make a direct impact on a patients' ocular health, makes this area both intellectually stimulating and challenging as well as clinically rewarding.

What surprised you the most about studying Optometry so far?
The most surprising aspect of studying optometry has been the depth of the interconnectedness between ocular health and systemic conditions. Discovering how ocular signs can unveil broader health issues has been eye-opening.

Katy Mann

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
I always wanted to do something healthcare related and optometry also had more of a business aspect which interested me. I've had binocular vision problems from a young age and the optom that first tested my eyes really helped me, and I wanted to make a difference to patients lives like they did!

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?
It's a close one but probably a panoptic ophthalmoscope as I love the field of view that it gives and it allows me to do ophthalmoscopy better as I don't have to use my amblyopic eye!

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The CMGs are great to quickly check the management of common ocular diseases.

Oliwia Woloszyn

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
A local visit to an optometrist initiated my interest in the mechanism of vision and the variety of instruments and advanced technology that can be used for eye examinations.

What is your favourite piece of equipment and why?
I was fond of the slit lamp from the very beginning. It has a lot of versatility, diagnostic capabilities and precision which provides me a tool for accurate management and diagnosis, not to mention it's super fun to use. It turns an eye examination into an engaging and dynamic experience. 

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
I find the Clinical Management Guidelines very useful as they provide a structured framework for learning clinical management protocols.

Amina Farooq

What inspired you to become an optometrist?
Optometry sparked my interest after getting my eyes tested at my local opticians. The professionalism, knowledge and hands-on skill that the optometrist possessed inspired me to pursue this career.

What’s your favourite topic area so far and why?
Vision science has been a challenging but rewarding part of the degree. I really enjoy learning about how we can see and perceive the world, as it can explain so much about our real-life experiences!

Which College resources do you recommend to your fellow students?
The student resources page on The College of Optometrists website allows access to the CMGs, ethical scenarios, and much more.