44 years in practice

After more than four decades in practice, locum optometrist, Mitra Sabet, has seen optometry change and transform in a multitude of different ways.

Now retired, Sabet has shared her career observations and experiences OT.

Sabet studied ophthalmic optics at Glasgow Caledonian University between 1976 and 1980, opting to pursue a career as an optometrist following encouragement from her father, as well as family and friends who worked optics in the Middle East.

Looking back on a career spanning 44 years in practice, the majority of which she spent locuming, Sabet has observed a range of developments, from paper records and largely computer-free practices to today’s technologically-advanced clinical environments, featuring optical coherence tomography, fundus photography and the emergence of artificial intelligence.

“I was one of the first women among our friends and generation to study ophthalmic optics in the UK,” Sabet told OT, reflecting: “The profession is advancing very fast and the nature of it is quite different from where it started.”

After completing her pre-registration year in Kelvin Opticians in Llandudno, North Wales, she moved to Reading with the same independent practice, which was later acquired by the now defunct Dollond & Aitchison.

Shortly after having her first child, Sabet left independent practice as a resident optometrist to embark on locuming, where she would spend the remainder of her professional life.

“Soon after giving birth, I thought locuming would give me more freedom and higher earning power,” she said, adding: “I don’t remember if I had any hesitation about becoming a locum and if I did, it would have soon disappeared because of the high demand.”

In the early years of locuming, Sabet found herself able to choose between multiple opportunities, with practices requesting repeat bookings and covering travel costs.

“I could always take my pick of several locum positions,” she shared.

Her work took her across the South East, South and South West of England, particularly during a period of expansion for Specsavers, where she locumed at several different practices.

She noted that a drawback was that she was away from home a lot, including spending some time working overseas.

“I would give my utmost to the practice I was working in,” she said.

However, locuming changed significantly during her career as the workforce expanded and practices evolved. While Sabet relocated to the Midlands in 2003, she would regularly return to the South West, where work was on a weekly basis for more than 19 years.

“While the profession has changed enormously, patients still need time,” she said.

Reflections of a changing profession

Asked what the most significant developments during her career were, Sabet selected the introduction of CET, reinforcing the importance of lifelong learning.

“I realised we couldn’t keep relying on previous knowledge,” she said.

Sabet also recalled the excitement of mastering new clinical techniques throughout her career, including learning indirect ophthalmoscopy with a Volk lens, which was a skill that had not been covered during her training at university.

Referrals have also remained at the fore and are among her proudest memories.

She recalled how one referral led to the diagnosis and urgent treatment of a brain tumour in a young patient.

However, Sabet also recalls the people she was surrounded by. “When the staff were lovely and made me look forward to go to work,” she said.

After 44 years in practice, Sabet said: “It feels strange to retire… and not have to constantly update myself on information.”

“I will miss the camaraderie of being in practice, the interaction with patients, and being part of the health service,” she added.

As a locum with no fixed practice team, Sabet’s final day testing was not bookmarked with a celebratory send off. It was quite the opposite as Sabet’s last day practising was in a practice she had not worked in before and the staff were not aware of her pending retirement.

“I did have a photo taken of myself in the test room with the equipment. I had a feeling it was going to be my last day,” she shared.

For the next generation of optometrists embarking on locuming, Sabet advised practitioners to keep learning; look at the work available in your area and try to understand what employers expect, and interact with your peers because you will learn a lot from you fellow optometrists.