Tell us about your career journey to becoming an optometrist and why you chose this profession.

Angharad Bowie (AB): As a child, my mum often read me the Topsy and Tim book where they go to the opticians, and I thought it was really interesting. I always said: “When I grow up, I’m going to be an optometrist.” At 16, I started working at my current branch and loved the whole patient journey. I did my A-levels and went to university. Then I did my pre-registration year in the store I’m at now and I have been an optometrist here for the last 11 years. I love forming a rapport with my patients and meeting different people every day.

Raqia Hanif (RH): I didn’t know much about optometry at first, but I was very interested and loved the idea of owning an optician franchise one day. In Scotland, there was only one course – at Glasgow Caledonian – so I went to an open day. Then I went to see a practice and absolutely loved it: the professionalism, the interaction with customers, the ambience. I’ve not looked back since.