“My entire journey has been memorable”

Tell us about your role…

I am part of a small team providing core optometry and extended role clinics. My main clinical activities are in paediatric refraction, medical contact lenses, keratoconus monitoring, cataract assessment, casualty, medical retina, triaging and diabetic eye screening. We also provide services to other parts of the Highlands and Islands, which involves long drives or flights.

What has been the most memorable moment of your career?

My entire journey has been memorable. It was fun being involved in a pilot study, 18 years ago, to assess the feasibility of a mobile diabetic eye screening service in the Highlands. It involved driving a fundus camera in the back of a box van to various remote locations.

Who inspires you?

The Queen.

What are you reading/watching at the moment?

Sadly, I don’t have a lot of time for recreational reading, but I am slowly getting through Gulliver’s Travels on my phone while I’m flying to my peripheral clinics on the Islands.

It was fun being involved in a pilot study, 18 years ago, to assess the feasibility of a mobile diabetic eye screening service in the Highlands

Tell OT about one of your hobbies…

I’m trying to slightly improve at beginner’s mountain biking. I’m getting better at remaining on the bike.

What is the most important change that you have witnessed in optometry during your career?

The upskilling of optometrists to provide integrated quality primary and secondary ophthalmic care.

What advice would you give newly-qualified optometrists?

The learning never stops.

Tell OT something unexpected about yourself?

I’ve been duped into entering the 2022 Loch Ness Etape.