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- “I have already seen a shift in the way we practice during my optometry career”
A final thought
“I have already seen a shift in the way we practice during my optometry career”
Pre-reg optometrist and AOP Councillor, Priya Tanda, reflects on the profession’s progression during her optometry career to date, and looks to the future
Priya Tanda
20 March 2024
Since childhood I had my hopes set on working within healthcare. Helping people on a daily basis was something vital I wanted to do, but initially I was unsure of what path to take.
I believe that over the next 10 years, with optometrists currently acquiring a wider skill set and providing advanced eye care within the community, the profession will move more towards the role of doctors
Through working at an independent opticians close to home, my love for optometry began, and later so did my applications for optometry at university. By having this relevant work experience from a young age, and then further building my experiences throughout university and in the workplace, I had a strong understanding of what would be expected moving onto the pre-registration year. As I come to the closing stages of my pre-reg period and I start to become more independent in my career, my experiences through my training year have given me huge insight into life as a newly-qualified optometrist.
Having attended university during COVID-19, I have already seen a shift in the way we have practised during my optometry career. Hospitals have longer backlogs and, although the pandemic was four years ago, we are still adjusting in both High Street and hospital settings. There have been developments in further training for optometrists and increasing community services, which I believe will emerge further still in the future, allowing optometrists to build their skill sets further and provide readily available enhanced eye care.
Priya’s career ambitions for the future
Where do you see your career in five years’ time?
I feel for many pre-reg optometrists: when sitting different exams and studying, it can be difficult to plan for the future. My hopes are that in the next five years post pre-reg, I am able to experience a variety of clinical settings in order to build my skill set as a newly-qualified optometrist. I believe the first few years of being a newly-qualified optometrist will be about building confidence testing without supervision and finding the best way of practising to suit me.Where do you see your career in 10 years’ time?
Within the next 10 years, I would love to be able to help other pre-reg optometrists through their training as a supervisor. I can see how this would be a rewarding job through my experiences as a trainee myself, and it is definitely something I’d be keen on doing moving forward. I would also love to continue working with the AOP as I currently am, listening and communicating with AOP members, helping to convey their views, putting their opinions forward and supporting my peers.
The next steps in the journey
During my pre-reg, I have learnt how diverse optometry can be and how there are many routes in further qualifications, and training. Upon qualification I would like to gain more hospital experience, allowing me to expand my skill set outside of a High Street setting. My professional interests include myopia control and technology within optometry – areas that I see changing and developing in the early stages of my career, which I am keen to get involved with.I believe that over the next 10 years, with optometrists currently acquiring a wider skill set and providing advanced eye care within the community, the profession will move more towards the role of doctors. With more optometrists able to prescribe with independent prescribing, and getting higher qualifications, we are the first port of call for managing, and often treating, eye conditions.
Priya’s top reads
- You had me at hospital: Learn what it is like to practise in a hospital optometry setting
- Pre-reg focus: Read about the current experiences of pre-reg optometrists Indifferent settings
- 100% Optical: A must read for those looking to catch up on activity from the 2024 show.
About the author
Priya Tanda is a pre-reg optometrist at Jaysons Opticians, Long Eaton. She is also an AOP Councillor, representing pre-reg optometrists.
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