“Diverse experiences keep my pre-reg learning dynamic”

I am currently undertaking a hybrid pre-reg, which means I work as a pre-reg across two different settings: both community and hospital eye service.

I am a pre-reg optometrist at the James Bontoft Optometrist independent practice in Barnoldswick and East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, working across two hospitals: The Royal Blackburn and Burnley General Hospital.

At the independent practice, I am mentored by James himself, who offers extensive clinical expertise and advanced optometric care, particularly in extended services and referrals from hospitals. This allows me to gain real-world experience across a wide range of complex cases which pushes the boundaries of my learning and clinical knowledge.

I spend one day a week at one of the East Lancashire Hospitals, conducting paediatric clinics and observing different specialties such as diabetic retinal screening, specialist contact lens fitting and glaucoma clinics. These diverse experiences keep my pre-reg learning dynamic and comprehensive.

The most important lesson I took away from my final year at university was the ability to tailor my eye examinations to meet each patient’s unique needs.

Transitioning from testing my peers in a laboratory setting to applying my theoretical and practical knowledge on real patients with genuine vision concerns taught me the importance of treating each case individually. [Remembering that] each patient has their own story and diagnosis ensures that I provide a personalised experience – giving them the best possible care for their specific visual needs.

One of the key lessons I’ve taken into my early weeks of pre-reg is the importance of staying organised and managing my time effectively. Balancing multiple responsibilities at university, from written and practical assessments to assisting at optometry open days and running my Optom Success platform, has made this skill invaluable as I navigate the early demands of my pre-reg year.

From the outset, I have organised my tasks and communicated my needs clearly with my team at both the independent practice and the hospital about the specific patients I need to see to complete my logbook. Their support will be instrumental in helping me achieve the required competencies effectively.

Testing my first patient as a pre-reg was an enlightening experience.

My supervisor, James, sat through the entire test, which was a little daunting at first. My patient had an early cataract developing and was struggling to read. I was a little nervous, but I stuck to my routine and managed to make the correct diagnosis and find a solution for my patient. It was amazing to receive positive feedback from both the patient and James. It filled me with confidence and drive.

Being quizzed by my supervisor has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my pre-reg so far.

It really pushes the limits of my clinical knowledge and challenges me to improve further. James often reminds me that pre-reg is a time to grow, so I should make the most of this opportunity.

I’ve taken that advice to heart. I try to push the boundaries of my knowledge by participating in the additional services James offers at his practice, which helps me become well-rounded in different branches of optometry.

One memorable case during my second week was witnessing the removal of a piece of metal stuck in a patient’s cornea.

Initially, I thought this was something outside the scope of optometrists, but I quickly learned that optometrists can perform such procedures – it just requires experience and confidence.

My most nervous moment was during my first paediatric clinic at the hospital.

I hadn’t tested many young children during my time at university, so I had to adapt my routine quickly. Since children often dislike having anything on their faces, I found myself holding trial lenses free-hand instead of using a trial frame. This was tricky at first, but it went well overall, and I quickly got the hang of it.

I plan to achieve a work-life balance by sticking to a structured routine.

My goal is to tackle one competency a day and set clear goals before each visit. I also believe it’s important to relax and recharge, so I make time for activities I enjoy, like playing table tennis with my friends and catching up over coffee with other pre-regs on our days off. It’s great to socialise with people who are in the same boat as me.