26 July 2026
While the latest and greatest technology can enhance an optometrist’s practice, sometimes it is the simple things that serve to refine a practitioner’s approach.
A chance conversation with a colleague or an interaction with a patient has the power to completely change an optometrist’s perspective and enhance their practice.
From children to centenarians, there are lessons to be learned and shared at every life stage.
In this feature, OT spoke with practitioners about the influential lessons they learned early in their career from interactions with patients or colleagues of a different generation.
After spending time with all of these optometrists, I realised that nobody knows everything. They all, at times, needed support from one another
Taking the time to connect
Hannah Silcock, an optometrist at Specsavers Stirling, qualified in June 2025.
She shared with OT that there are many older patients in the area where she works – including patients in their 90s.
“They always have good stories about their life. I really enjoy taking the time to get to know them and find out about their careers, families or interesting travels they have been on,” Silcock said.
She added that one encounter with an older patient made her realise the importance of taking the time to have conversations beyond optics – as she may be the only person who the patient speaks to that day.
“I now always aim to enquire about what patents are doing for the rest of their day or about any exciting plans they have coming up,” she said.
Optometrist, Emily Taylor, who qualified in June 2025, shared that she learned valuable lessons from her supervisors during her pre-registration year – which was split between Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and Monnow Eyecare.
Taylor shared that her ABUHB supervisor, Elizabeth Hunt, taught her how to navigate difficult situations with calmness and confidence.
“She has a remarkable ability to take everything in her stride – even in moments where others might panic, she simply says, ‘Okay, let’s have a look’ and approaches the problem with clarity and composure,” she said.
Taylor highlighted that her supervisor at Monnow Eyecare, Scott Cox, is also a “huge influence.”
“He is one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met. He brings a sense of calm wisdom to every clinical scenario. Their guidance has shaped the way I approach challenges: staying steady, thinking clearly, and trusting the process,” she said.
Dispensing optician and trainee optometrist, Sarah Owen, completed her Clinical Learning in Practice placement in June this year.
“I was fortunate to be supervised by and learn from five optometrists during my CLiP placement, all from different backgrounds and at different stages of their careers,” she said.
She told OT that when she started her placement, she had a tendency to feel like she had failed if she did not understand something.
Her supervisors helped her to realise that there is no shame in not knowing the answer.
“After spending time with all of these optometrists, I realised that nobody knows everything. They all, at times, needed support from one another or had to research something,” Owen shared.
Early career lessons
Optometrist director at Rawlings Opticians, Rachael Smith, shared with OT that she is continuing to learn from colleagues after more than three decades working as an optometrist.
Early in her career, Smith was influenced by the passion and commitment of her pre-registration supervisor, Andrew Matheson.
“Although not quite a different generation, he had been in practice for around ten years when I started working with him,” Smith said.
“He taught me that the more you invest in your profession, the more rewarding it becomes. His enthusiasm for continual learning and his ability to communicate complex information in a way that patients could understand showed me the importance of building trust through knowledge, empathy and clear communication,” Smith shared.
She shared that she recognised these same values later in her career when she worked alongside Derek Davidson at Rawlings Opticians.
“He had exceptional clinical knowledge, genuine compassion and an unwavering focus on doing what was best for every patient,” Smith highlighted.
“Seeing the loyalty and trust he had built within the community reinforced my belief that lasting patient relationships are earned through expertise, integrity and taking the time to truly care,” she said.
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