Martyn Howlett: “We can display so many aspects of our skillset within this role”

His morning beverage of choice is mint tea, but he admits to also being a “dreadful coffee addict” who is compiling a list of the best independent coffee shops close to London Underground stations.

After hours, he will usually be found working with his local Baptist church, something that he says has “been precious” to him in recent years.

His number one tip for prepping for the next day is to make sure all the schools with upcoming clinics have been contacted in advance, and that all spectacles and frames are in order and ready to go.

Why did you decide to train as a dispensing optician?

From about age four, I was in and out of ophthalmology. Later, my school careers office said, “go and work at a bank like your father, like your grandfather, and like your great-grandfather.” I spoke to my father, and he said, “I’m not sure that’s for you. Go back and say no.” I did, and my school told me that they couldn’t help me if I didn’t want to work at the bank.

I wanted to apply for the Association of British Dispensing Opticians course via City and Islington College, but they said I was too young. So, I did an extra year at sixth form and then went full-time up to Islington. I was worried about self-funding, so I contacted Surrey County Council, and they paid for part of it. The managing director and owner of the opticians where I was getting my glasses, Tony Stevens, also said he would mentor me. I paid the remainder of the course fee, and the rest is history.

Can you tell me about your first day as a dispensing optician in practice?

For my pre-registration year, I went to work for Linwood Strong, an independent practice, and had a first class start to my optical life. It was in Epsom, so close to my home. I was known there, in a good way – I knew some of the patients already, which was another reason why I wanted to work in the area.

Tony Stevens, my boss and the owner, gave me enough freedom whilst still remaining hands-on. I had confidence because I had such a good mentor. We had a workshop out the back, and he would show me adjustments and how to be a quality dispensing optician. I stayed after qualification, and was there for about seven years.

I had never had a career break, as you might do when you finish university. I’d always wanted to go out to a very recognised, practical theology college in the United States, in Dallas. I did two years there, and I also worked as a prison chaplain for some of the time.

What is your favourite thing about being a dispensing optician?

The people contact. I love talking; I love getting to know people. Special needs kids are such a blessing. They’re all individuals, and each one is amazing. It’s not easy, and they have lots of things going on. If we can do one thing that makes life easier for their families, then let’s do it. It’s a privilege.

What is your most memorable patient experience?

Through SeeAbility, meeting a 20-year-old with a –19.00D prescription. I was there when his mother was telling her story of coming to the UK and being so appreciative of all that was provided. The hospitals had tried unsuccessfully to fit the patient with glasses, but we were able to utilise that window of opportunity. To see his smiling face when the glasses went on for the first time, and hear his laugh, was just wonderful.

If we can help with eyesight, which in turn helps with behaviour, communication, and life skills, that can make a huge difference

Can you share your favourite moment of the day?

The satisfaction of coming home from a SeeAbility clinic in a school, after seeing eight children that day, and knowing that we’ve touched a life and made a difference. We know that our work has impacted that family.

Their lives are often shadowed by other health conditions. If we can help with eyesight, which in turn helps with behaviour, communication, and life skills, that can make a huge difference. Leaving a clinic knowing we’ve made a difference changes my life.

What is your one tip for working successfully with optometrists in the special school setting?

Communication. Often, you are working with the optometrist in the clinic: you’re 50/50, bringing your dispensing skills to support the optometrist’s clinical skills, and putting that incredible knowledge and skill together.

But obviously, with our model, sometimes a dispensing optician has to go out to the school and work separately. It’s all about communication and knowing your optometrists: understanding how they work and taking time with them to talk. That’s very different from a handover in High Street optometry, where you want to be fact finding.

What do you plan to do next to upskill in your career?

I was part of the working group to set up the professional certificate in paediatric eye care. I have been so busy, but I’d like to finish it myself, as I have completed all the theory side.

SeeAbility has also put a training course together with City, St George’s – a 15-point academic course, which I’ve helped write. I haven’t yet had time to sit and complete the whole thing myself, but I am working through it with a colleague.

I’m constantly looking at CPD. For our team, we want to find both face-to-face dispensing training, where DOs come together for face-to-face meetings, with maybe a workshop to provide CPD points, ensuring that is meaningful and intentional. We do evening meetings with our whole team online: optometrists, DOs, and admin staff. We want to offer meaningful CPD, which could involve bringing in an expert in a particular sphere. I am part of that CPD provision. We’re aiming to constantly signpost and upskill, where we can, our own staff and our own teams.

How do you see the role of the DO evolving over the next five years?

It’s all about upskilling. In IT, you don't just say: ‘You’ve got to give me a job.’ You say: ‘What is the latest coding language I should know?’

DOs are busy, but there needs to be support and options available, so that they can upskill. DOs need to be intentional about looking out for opportunities too. There needs to be provision there, and collaboration between the professional bodies and dispensing opticians to have those opportunities to run with technology.

Life is fast-moving, and we don’t want dispensing to be eroded. You don’t go and get your tablets from a machine – you go to your pharmacist. We have fantastic clinical skills. We can triage. We can display so many aspects of our skillset within this role.

Is there one piece of technology or tool that you particularly enjoy using in practice?

When I was working in Prague, with the international ambassadors in the country, I enjoyed having the technology to fit varifocal or progressive lenses, where you weren’t necessarily just dotting up with a pen. I loved the 360 scans from the likes of Rodenstock and Zeiss. I really enjoyed seeing how technology is moving forward. It was lovely to have that experience, and feel my worth as a dispensing optician.

What is the most important thing you have learnt this month in practice?

Moving into my new position at SeeAbility, which is a more senior management role, the importance of communication has become clear. A good manager understands the skillset in each individual person. As I’m hiring for the new roles required at SeeAbility [to facilitate the extended Special Schools Eye Care Service], I’m really seeing that everybody is different, and that is wonderful. Everyone brings something to the table that is vital to the team. It’s up to me to learn what I can draw out of each person to make us as a team better.