Advice for new students?
Be patient with yourself and focus on steady progress. Optometry is challenging and can feel overwhelming at times. You won’t be perfect straight away, and that’s okay. Focus on learning consistently, asking for help when needed, and building your confidence step by step.

What's your favourite piece of equipment?
The OCT. It has completely changed how we detect and monitor ocular disease, and I find it fascinating how detailed structural information can directly influence clinical decision-making and patient management.

Advice for new students?
Work life balance: University isn’t only about your course make sure you don’t neglect your social life as well as free time activities such as going to the gym or picking up a sport.

Advice for new students?
Don’t be afraid to ask questions - engaging with lecturers and supervisors builds on your understanding and confidence and helps you think more critically

Why did you choose to study optometry?
I chose Optometry because I wanted a career in healthcare where I could make a positive impact to people's lives. Vision effects so much of someone's daily life, and being able to improve that is what I find truly rewarding.

What's your favourite part of optometry?
I’m most drawn to ocular disease because it challenges me to think critically and connect systemic health with eye health. Detecting early signs of conditions like glaucoma or diabetic retinopathy makes the role feel impactful, as we can truly help preserve someone’s vision long term.

What's your favourite piece of optometry?
Occluder! I use my occluder daily and couldn’t live without it! It has so many functions, from occluding an eye to measure VAs to cover test, which is crucial. I definitely underestimated how amazing it was in first year but now learning all about BV i understand how important it is. Additionally, its small, portable and not too expensive.

What's your favourite part of optometry?
Dispensing has definitely been one of my favourite aspects of optometry. I enjoy doing the calculations, and once the topic is understood, a flow state is reached. Because I am in the second year of my studies, there is a module dedicated for pathology and management. It is interesting to learn and see how the different stages of each condition progress and impact the patients. Furthermore, I am excited to cover in-depth glaucoma as it is one of the leading causes from where I grew up in Kenya.

What's inspired you to become an optometrist?
I have experienced how an eye surgery changed my life entirely and I firmly believe that delivering a high standard eye care service to people in need is something I want to do in the future.

What's your favourite part of optometry?
My favourite area of optometry is diagnosis of underlying ocular diseases. Knowing what diagnosis, risks and management of conditions such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and dry eye disease, I will be able to pay for the role of informing patient these conditions simply, provide them suggestions and refers them to prevent further deterioration.

What's your favourite piece of equipment and why?

The ophthalmoscope! I think it’s extraordinary that we’re able to view the back of the eye in real time. It was also one of the first pieces of equipment that made optometry feel truly clinical to me.

What's your favourite area of optometry?

Dispensing. Working in practice and dispensing gives you the chance to get to know a patient; what they like, what they don’t, what feels comfy for them and what they want to steer away from. Helping a patient find the perfect frame that they feel confident in, it’s very rewarding.

What inspired you to study optometry?
I have been a qualified optician now for 15 years having completed the dispensing optician and contact lens optician course. This gives me a different perspective and the expectations that come with becoming an optometrist.

What is your advice for new students?
Don’t skip pharmacology - it’s more applicable than you may think!

Why did you choose to study optometry?
The optometrists at my first job. I started working in an optical practice at the age of 15, where I completely fell in love with optometry. My colleagues helped to nurture my interest by answering my (many) questions as I learned, and they encouraged me to pursue the profession. When cleaning the test rooms at the end of the day, I would sit in the optometrist’s chair and picture myself one day having the opportunity to do the job myself. And now - here I am.

Why did you choose to study optometry?

Working as part of a domiciliary team allowed me to see first-hand the profound impact that improving someone’s vision can have on their independence and quality of life. Supporting patients in their own homes showed me that optometry is about far more than clinical tests — it is about improving daily life, confidence, and wellbeing. I want to spend my career helping people in this way..

What's your favourite piece of equipment?
I’d have to say the retinoscope and trial frame – key pieces of equipment to perform refraction on a patient. I think the retinoscope might just top it though, the ability to roughly work out a patient’s prescription without the patient saying anything is something I didn’t know was possible before I began optometry!