Three optometrists talk about the skills and experience needed to become an effective supervisor.
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.
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The College has updated its Privacy and cookies policy to reflect recent changes in data protection legislation. This includes the UK General Data Protection Regulation, the Data Protection Act 2018, and the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which came into force earlier this year.
The Sector Partnership for Optical Knowledge and Education (SPOKE) has secured funding from the Central Optical Fund. This is to expand its work with a new 18-month project to inspire an early interest in careers in eye care among primary and secondary school pupils.
The College of Optometrists is inviting members and non-members to nominate outstanding researchers for the annual Research Excellence Awards in recognition of those making a significant contribution to optometric research and the future of the profession.