07 March 2025
In 2009 the number of female optometrists practising in the UK exceeded the number of male optometrists. This number has grown further still over the last 15 years, and in the General Optical Council’s 2021 Equality and diversity monitoring report, it found that 62.62% of all optometry and dispensing optics registrants were female.
Ahead of International Women’s Day tomorrow (8 March), we asked five practitioners from across optics to answer three questions about being a woman in optometry today. Here’s what they had to say.
Who we spoke to
Dr Bethany E Higgins, vision science researcher at City St George’s, and vice president of Women in Vision
Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE, professor at the University of East Anglia Director Vision and Eye Research Institute
Dr Pretty Basra, consultant optometrist and owner of Edwards and Walker Opticians
Suzanne Wadsworth, senior optometrist and director at BBR Optometry, a Hakim Group independent practice
Jo Koivisto, a senior optical assistant at Aves Optometrists, a Hakim Group independent practice
We asked: Who is the one woman who has inspired you during your optometry career and why?
1 Dr Bethany E Higgins, vision science researcher at City St George’s, and vice president of Women in Vision
“Dr Alison Binns has been a significant inspiration to me in my career. She is a fantastic lecturer and a well-respected researcher, balancing these demanding roles while also raising young children. She is truly inspiring, showing that dedication, passion, and resilience can pave the way for success in all aspects of life.”
2 Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE, professor at the University of East Anglia Director Vision and Eye Research Institute
“My role model is Professor Ida Mann who was the first female professor of ophthalmology in the UK, appointed at Oxford University and breaking gender barriers in the medical field. She made significant advancements in understanding and treating eye diseases and is known for significant contributions to the study of eye development, genetics, and public eye health.”
I was told optometry wasn’t possible for me, I wasn’t academic enough. I was labelled as a failure. But my mother allowed me to believe that anything was possible, I just needed to want it enough
3 Dr Pretty Basra, consultant optometrist and owner of Edwards and Walker Opticians
“The one woman who has inspired me during my optometry career is my mother. I was told optometry wasn’t possible for me, I wasn’t academic enough. I was labelled as a failure. But my mother allowed me to believe that anything was possible, I just needed to want it enough. She is the one who helped my mindset, she was the one who was able to shift me from I can’t do it to I have to do it. She was an immigrant to this country and she couldn’t speak English, but she taught herself and ran various successful businesses. When she was guiding me, she was doing so from a place of knowing what she had overcome. She believed in education for women, and during this journey of life, I firmly believe I can achieve anything I put my mind to – because of her.”
4 Suzanne Wadsworth, senior optometrist and director at BBR Optometry, a Hakim Group independent practice
“In my journey to the clinician and business owner I am today a special mention has to go to Angela Bishop, one of the Bs in BBR Optometry. Angela set up the practice in 1969 with her husband Peter and from the foundations that she put in place for an emphasis on clinical and business excellence, I have been inspired to want to take the baton from such a great female optical pioneer and continue to build the success that is BBR.”
5 Jo Koivisto, a senior optical assistant at Aves Optometrists, a Hakim Group independent practice
“Many women have inspired me over the years, not specifically in optometry, but strong women and kind women. Mother Teresa is an inspiration to me, that all of us can be kind, helpful and do something positive for someone. This is something I try to do for the patients I encounter as well as for colleagues and in my personal life. My nan is also a huge influence on me. She was strong, positive, warm, kind and laughed a lot, teaching me that when we look on the bright side, life always has more to offer.”
We asked: What one change is key for supporting women in optometry to excel?
1 Dr Bethany E Higgins, vision science researcher at City St George’s, and vice president of Women in Vision
“A key change is ensuring greater flexibility and support for career progression at all levels. Whether through mentorship schemes, leadership opportunities, or policies that promote work-life balance, creating an environment where women can advance without unnecessary barriers is essential. When we remove these obstacles, we allow talent and passion to drive the profession forward.”
2 Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE, professor at the University of East Anglia Director Vision and Eye Research Institute
“While many women enter optometry, fewer reach senior academic, research, and leadership roles. Ensuring equal opportunities for leadership and career advancement is the key. While progress has been made, challenges like work-life balance, gender bias, and lack of representation in leadership roles still exist. Encouraging policy changes, flexible career paths, and leadership training would help more women rise to the top.”
When we remove these obstacles, we allow talent and passion to drive the profession forward
3 Dr Pretty Basra, consultant optometrist and owner of Edwards and Walker Opticians
“A key change for supporting women in optometry to excel is a community. I asked myself this question when reflecting on last year. In other healthcare sectors there are organisations, networks and groups where women can come together, grow together and support each other. As a result, I have set up The SheSees Network – a network for women who want a safe space to learn, grow, soundboard and just connect with likeminded females. As women we have certain nuances that are specific to us – returning to work after having a baby, menopause, flexible working, career advancement as a mother. This network is to enable women to feel supported. I think personal development is key for women to excel, especially in leadership and management roles, which within optometry is often male dominated.”
4 Suzanne Wadsworth, senior optometrist and director at BBR Optometry, a Hakim Group independent practice
“Optometry has already created many opportunities for woman in STEM, it offers hybrid working with business and clinical going hand in hand. I would say to any woman in optometry, continue to excel and be the inspiring woman that you are already.”
5 Jo Koivisto, a senior optical assistant at Aves Optometrists, a Hakim Group independent practice
“The key for supporting women in optometry to excel is to not conform to old systems and ways of doing things, but to champion new flexible ways of working so women can choose to be super mums as well as the top of their game in their work life if they so choose.”
While progress has been made, challenges like work-life balance, gender bias, and lack of representation in leadership roles still exist
We asked: What does International Women’s Day mean to you?
1 Dr Bethany E Higgins, vision science researcher at City St George’s, and vice president of Women in Vision
“International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate the achievements of women, while also recognising the challenges that still remain. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made towards a more equitable profession and to continue advocating for the changes needed to ensure women can thrive at every stage of their careers.”
2 Professor Shahina Pardhan OBE, professor at the University of East Anglia Director Vision and Eye Research Institute
“For me, International Women’s Day is about celebrating the women who have broken glass ceilings, who have worked tirelessly to pave the way for progress, supporting those who help others push boundaries, and standing in solidarity with those whose voices are still unheard. It’s a day of reflection, appreciation, and action because while progress has been made, there’s still work to do.”
3 Dr Pretty Basra, consultant optometrist and owner of Edwards and Walker Opticians
“International Women’s Day is an important day for me. As an Asian female it means so much more than just being female. I say this is culturally, Asian women are often held back. This is changing, but for me it’s a day to reflect on my upbringing, where my parents wanted equal opportunities for me – equal to my brother. Education was encouraged, entrepreneurship was encouraged and overall I was empowered.”
To me International Women’s Day is a day to remember that we are stronger together
4 Suzanne Wadsworth, senior optometrist and director at BBR Optometry, a Hakim Group independent practice
“I have many amazing woman in my life, those who have inspired me supported and guided me to where I am today, especially my mother. I also am a proud mother of a daughter, step-daughter and daughter in law, andI would like to celebrate their achievements and the inspirational woman they continue to become.”
5 Jo Koivisto, a senior optical assistant at Aves Optometrists, a Hakim Group independent practice
“To me International Women’s Day is a day to remember that we are stronger together and that when we support and champion each other we can reach new heights and achieve anything we put our minds to.”
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to join the discussion. Log in