Beyond the consulting room

OT heard from three optometrists about the titles they have adopted alongside their clinical roles, why they branched out, and what the experience has brought them.

Summaya Ali

Summaya Ali

Summaya Ali, AOP Council

What roles do you have currently?

My primary role is optometrist store manager at Vision Express. Alongside this, I am an AOP Councillor representing newly-qualified and early career optometrists, where I also serve on the Policy Committee. I also volunteer for the Peer Support Line, a private and confidential helpline for optometrists.

What led you to take on the AOP Council and volunteer roles?

I am always looking for a role that is different from what I have been doing previously – a role that is a challenge so I can learn and grow from the experience. I like to have a niche skillset which sets me apart from other professionals.

As an AOP Councillor, attending meetings quarterly allows me to give my opinion and thoughts on new topics that influence where the profession is heading. Working alongside the AOP has been great when it comes to meeting other optometrists who have a range of experience in the work they do. Volunteering keeps me grounded and helps me to understand the difficulties fellow professionals may encounter on a day-to-day basis and allows me to provide some form of emotional support.

Working alongside the AOP has been great when it comes to meeting other optometrists who have a range of experience in the work they do

How long have you been in these roles? How would you describe the experience?

I have been an AOP Councillor for three years and it is lovely to meet other professionals several times during the year who have a strong passion and desire to influence optometry. I enjoy partaking in debates during our meetings as it shows how much each and every Council member cares for the profession. It's a positive, kind environment to be in and I thoroughly enjoy this role.

I have been volunteering with the Peer Support Line for two years and eight months. Our volunteer group is a mixed bag ranging from newly-qualified to retired optometrists. Sometimes, if you don't want advice but you want somebody to listen and hear you out, this is the group to be a part of.

I have had my optometrist store manager role for a year. My role is divided into clinic testing and admin. The clinical work is fine but the non-clinical side, such as looking after your patients and staff, the NHS side, understanding key performance indicators and all the work behind the scenes which nobody else sees is tricky but still very rewarding especially when you see your efforts come to fruition.

What do you feel is the benefit of having multiple roles within the profession?

Different skills are learnt in different roles. Some of those skills are transferable, which makes other roles easier to balance.

Sarah Owen

Sarah Owen

Sarah Owen, Optometry Wales Council

What roles do you have currently?

I have recently started my Clinical Learning in Practice (CLiP) placement as a student optometrist in practice. Alongside this, I am a dispensing optician and part of the management team. Outside of the practice, I am part of the Optometry Wales Council, where I represent student and newly-qualified optometrists.

What led you to take on a role with the Optometry Wales Council?

I have always tried to stay up to date with developments in optometry, particularly since the introduction of Wales General Ophthalmic Services. Over time, I became increasingly passionate about these changes and proud to be working within optometry in Wales. This interest led me to attend local optical committee (LOC) meetings, then regional optometric committee (ROC) meetings, and most recently to join Optometry Wales (OW). I was especially keen to take on the OW role because I am part of the first CLiP cohort (which replaces the traditional Scheme for Registration) – one of only two in Wales. I felt it was important to share first-hand my experiences of this new pathway.

I am part of the first CLiP cohort – one of only two in Wales. I felt it was important to share first-hand my experiences of this new pathway

How long have you been in these roles? How would you describe the experience?

I’ve been involved in optics for more than 13 years, beginning as a part-time receptionist while studying for my A Levels. Since then, I’ve worked my way through the profession, qualifying as a dispensing optician in 2021. Soon after, I took on management responsibilities within the practice, and in 2023 I began the MOptom conversion course at the University of Central Lancashire. My goal is to qualify as an optometrist in 2026.

I have been attending LOC and ROC meetings for the past two years, and I joined Optometry Wales last year. Being involved in these groups has been both informative and inspiring. Before this, I hadn’t fully appreciated how much work goes on behind the scenes. The scope of optometry is expanding, and it is through LOCs, ROCs, and OW that many of these changes are shaped. For me, the experience has been motivating — seeing colleagues from across the profession come together to drive progress.

What do you feel is the benefit of having multiple roles within the profession?

I believe holding multiple roles helps you become a more well-rounded practitioner. You gain greater awareness of the changes happening across the profession, and it brings valuable variety to your work. Personally, I find it refreshing to balance practice-based responsibilities with wider professional involvement beyond the four walls of the consulting room.

Desislava Pirkova

Desislava Pirkova

Desislava Pirkova, GOC Council

What roles do you have currently?

I wear many hats – business owner, practice manager, dispensing optician, council associate at the General Optical Council (GOC), and student optometrist. But above all, I’m proud to be a mentor to two incredible young women at the start of their careers in optics.

What led you to take on the council associate role?

The council associate positions aim to increase the diversity of experiences and perspectives on the GOC’s Council, while providing registrants with the first step towards a board, committee or panel role.

Taking on the council associate role was a decision driven by a few key motivations. First, I saw it as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth, especially in terms of gaining experience in governance and strategic decision-making at a national level.

I also felt it was important to bring my own perspective to the table. With a background that spans clinical practice, business ownership, and community outreach, I believed I could contribute a diverse and grounded viewpoint to help enrich the conversations happening at Council level.

Finally, public engagement has always been a priority for me. This role allows me to continue advocating for greater accessibility to eye care and promoting awareness around visual health. That's something I’ve always been passionate about through my work with patients and community initiatives.

I saw it as a valuable opportunity for personal and professional growth, especially in terms of gaining experience in governance and strategic decision-making at a national level

How long have you been in these roles? How would you describe the experience?

I’ve been a council associate since 2024, and the experience so far has been incredibly valuable and insightful. It’s given me a much broader understanding of how strategic decisions are made at a regulatory level and how those decisions ultimately shape the future of our profession.

Being part of Council discussions (even in a non-voting capacity) has allowed me to see firsthand the level of thought, accountability, and public interest that goes into every conversation. It’s also been a great opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals from different backgrounds, which has challenged and expanded my own thinking.

Overall, it’s been both humbling and empowering. I’ve learned a lot about governance, policy, and the bigger picture of optical care. It’s made me even more committed to contributing to the profession in a meaningful way.

What do you feel is the benefit of having multiple roles within the profession?

One of the biggest benefits of having multiple roles within the profession is the perspective it gives you. Having walked the journey myself, from starting as a receptionist who spoke very few words of English, to becoming an accomplished eye care advocate—I’ve learned how to see things from all angles.

I can easily put myself in the shoes of others, whether it's patients, front-of-house staff, clinicians, or business owners. That understanding helps me connect with people more effectively and approach situations with empathy, respect, and insight. Each role I’ve held has shaped the way I lead, communicate, and advocate within the profession.