26 July 2018
Making the leap from nuclear physicist to specialist refractive optometrist may sound unusual, but that’s the direction that Paul Cheshire’s career has taken – and he couldn’t be happier about it.
Having started out in research before moving on to nuclear physics, Mr Cheshire made a complete career change to work in optics. A store director for a large optical multiple’s domiciliary division for two and a half years, his move to Optical Express in Exeter, Taunton and Plymouth had to be delayed for several months when he moved house and his wife had a baby in quick succession.
“Joining Optical Express was worth the wait,” says Mr Cheshire. He admits that initially the move to Optical Express seemed like a steep learning curve. “There’s a lot to take in, but everyone has been very supportive and they helped me to become more confident in my role. The training at the flagship clinic in Glasgow was the best I have ever experienced and the level of technology available is exceptional, from the Oculus Pentacam to the Zeiss Cirrus OCT and everything else you could wish for in a modern-day practice. The more you use the technology, the more adept you become, and it helps me to provide a quicker diagnosis more easily.”
“The training I’ve received here has been first rate – despite needing a lot of effort, what I’ve already learned in just six weeks has made me a better clinician, even taking into account my years of experience. It has definitely given me an additional skillset,” he said.
As someone who believes that patient care is the most important part of his role, Mr Cheshire is already very pleased with the differences he’s noticed at Optical Express compared with companies he’s worked for previously.
“The technology here is nothing short of brilliant. It allows us to delve deeper and to diagnose and treat our patients at the highest level. I’m using advanced equipment that I’ve never used anywhere else,” he said, adding: “The support from everyone at Optical Express, from the clinical services team to my fellow optometrists, has been excellent – I have a fantastic support network I know I can rely on.”
Providing the best in patient care is very important to Paul, and he’s noticed that he now has the time to provide this. “As a specialist refractive optometrist, I carry out more in-depth and exhaustive eye examinations and much better tests. These help to ensure that I can help my patients make the right decisions about their eye health.”
“I get up every morning and want to come to work. You can’t buy that feeling!” smiles Paul. “I’ve worked for the rest, now I work for the best. I’m delighted that I now have the time, technology and skills to help deliver the highest standards of care to my patients,” he added.
