Painting, yoga and CPD: Optometry Wellbeing Day comes to Glasgow

An inaugural wellbeing event for Scottish optical professionals was held at Parklands Hotel in Glasgow on 11 October.

The Optometry Wellbeing Day, which was supported by SpaMedica, saw a group of 40 optometrists and dispensing opticians gather for a range of wellbeing-boosting activities – including yoga, painting, continuing professional development (CPD) and a gratitude session.

Event organiser, Sheena Tanna-Shah, told OT that the event focuses on supporting “the person behind the role.”

“We are always serving peers, colleagues and patients,” she observed.

“We wanted a day where individuals are focusing on themselves. Life is busy, personally and professionally and we don’t often get a chance to pause,” Tanna-Shah reflected.

Sheena Tanna-Shah

Providing insight on how each of the activities were selected, Tanna-Shah shared that beginning the day with yoga puts people in the right frame of mind for the rest of the event.

“I always find many are naturally apprehensive or nervous about days like this where it is a new concept. Starting the day with yoga invites people to relax,” she said.

“It’s not often you get a room of eye care professionals coming together in fitness gear. It was fantastic seeing the chief medical officer of SpaMedica enjoying a tree pose,” Tanna-Shah added.

The optometrist and author observed that during the painting session, some delegates had not held a paint brush since childhood.

She noted that the session helped to demonstrate the benefits of using mindfulness activities as a chance to pause and find joy in busy days.

“We definitely had some secret artists,” Tanna-Shah added.

CPD delivered at the event included a wellbeing-focused session and a presentation on cataracts and patient outcomes delivered by SpaMedica chief medical officer, Dr Alex Silvester.

Tanna-Shah observed that as well as giving optical professionals an opportunity to take time for themselves, the Optometry Wellbeing Day gave delegates tools and tips to take forward.

“I talk openly about my journey with anxiety and depression. Having some one-to-one conversations with individuals who were going through their struggles made me feel grateful if I could be a small instrument of support to them,” she reflected.

The next Optometry Wellbeing Day will be held in the Midlands on 16 May 2027.