The Light's Too Bright

Gajan Singh shares his inspiring journey through optometry, overcoming challenges, and giving back to the community through support initiatives and charity work.

Vision Care: Gajan Singh's page
CLIPGUIDE: the UK study platform for student optometrists

Optoversity - Out Of The Box Optics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and guest background

02:09 Early interests and career decision-making

05:00 Work experience in East London opticians

10:01 Academic challenges and setbacks

15:13 Deciding to pursue optometry and further education

19:51 Moving away from home and adapting to university life

25:04 Designing spectacles for turban wearers and personal projects

29:57 Support systems and mentorship during training

34:58 Involvement in charitable work and community support

40:06 Professional development and career progression

44:58 Handling difficult situations and ethical decisions

49:47 Starting support initiatives for students and charities

55:01 Future goals and personal challenges

01:00:09 Balancing family, work, and personal growth

01:05:05 Final advice and closing remarks

In this episode, Professor Jennifer Craig shares her remarkable journey from Scotland to New Zealand, her research in dry eye and ophthalmology, and insights into academic life, clinical practice, and the importance of networking and seizing opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jennifer Craig and episode overview

01:30 Jennifer's background and current role in New Zealand

02:09 Early influences and deciding on optometry

04:04 Education in Glasgow and early research experiences

07:14 Transition from practice to academia and PhD in dry eye

11:17 Work in ophthalmology and refractive surgery

14:14 Teaching in ophthalmology and collaboration with optometrists

20:24 Moving to New Zealand and cultural experiences

22:26 Returning to the UK and research collaborations

26:45 Establishing a dry eye research unit and clinical practice

29:34 Travel, conferences, and the importance of networking

38:24 Advice for new optometrists and closing remarks

Summary

In this episode, Laura Williams shares her journey in optometry, her passion for myopia management, and insights into her diverse clinical practice and academic pursuits. Discover how her experiences and innovations are shaping the future of eye care.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laura Williams and her practice

02:03 Laura's background and journey into optometry

03:59 Her diverse clinical interests and current roles

07:08 Educational pathway and unique university program

09:32 Deciding between hospital and practice

11:01 Experience at BBR and working with cutting-edge technology

12:58 Her long tenure at BBR and professional development

14:32 The significance of independent prescribing (IP) in practice

16:02 COVID-19 response and community care initiatives

18:07 Her passion for myopia management and innovations

19:54 The evolution of myopia treatments and her involvement

21:56 Team structure and specialization within BBR

24:05 Collaborative practice and shared expertise

26:00 Balancing clinical work and academic pursuits

28:01 Considering further academic qualifications and research

30:10 Advice for newly qualified optometrists

32:00 Maintaining passion and avoiding burnout

34:11 Closing thoughts and future aspirations

Join me on a remarkable journey aboard a boat off Portugal’s coast, where a series of candid interviews with optometrists reveal their dedication, innovations, and aspirations in eye care. This episode offers insights into the profession’s impact, current challenges, and future opportunities.

• The personal motivations behind becoming an optometrist and the diverse paths into the profession
• The most rewarding aspects of helping patients regain or improve their vision
• Challenges faced in the field such as scope of practice limitations, education reform, and access to advanced technology
• The importance of collaboration with ophthalmology and other healthcare professionals
• Innovations in contact lenses, artificial intelligence in optometric practice, and future training models
• The effect of legal and political factors on the scope of practice worldwide
• Ideas for improving patient access to optometry services and integrating advanced treatment options

00:00 - Introduction to the boat tour and spontaneous optometry interviews
00:28 - Why optometrists recommend the profession and their motivations
01:02 - The most fulfilling moments helping patients see better
01:42 - Perspectives on education reform and the integration of AI tools
02:12 - Challenges in practice scope and legal restrictions across countries
02:43 - The vital role of collaboration with ophthalmologists for better outcomes
03:05 - Personal stories on career shifts and what they would change in the profession
03:26 - The future of optometry: merging different fields and expanding scope
04:00 - Reflections on patient impact and the profession’s future

Sarah Farrant shares her inspiring journey through optometry, from her early interests to her leadership roles and specialisation in dry eye management. Discover how passion, networking, and continuous learning can shape a successful career in eye care.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sarah Faran

01:12 Sarah's Journey to Optometry

05:59 Experiences in New Zealand

10:22 Returning to the UK and Starting a Practice

15:39 Diving into Professional Politics and Advocacy

16:58 Specializing in Dry Eye Treatment

21:21 Public Speaking and Lecturing Journey

23:30 The Importance of Networking in Professional Development

26:20 Embracing Opportunities for Learning and Growth

28:48 Building Relationships and Learning from Others

31:03 Navigating Imposter Syndrome and Self-Doubt

33:59 The Role of Conferences in Professional Development

36:31 The Intersection of Dry Eye Management and Contact Lenses

39:00 The Challenges of Defining Expertise in Dry Eye Treatment

41:29 The Importance of Proper Assessment in Dry Eye Clinics

43:56 Finding Your Passion and Embracing Opportunities

46:40 Final Thoughts on Career Development and Passion

48:19 0319 (1).mp4

Resources

British Contact Lens Association (BCLA) - https://www.bcla.org.uk/

Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS) - https://www.tearfilm.org/

Specialized Ophthalmic Instruments (SOS) - https://sosophthalmic.co.uk/

Something a little different from Lights Too Bright.

In this special POV-style episode, host Keyur takes to the hills for a 16-hill training walk ahead of the Three Peaks Challenge, joined by one of his oldest friends from university, Prisha Kotecha, an optometrist working at Boots Opticians.

The format: one question at the top of each hill.

Across the walk, Prisha talks about why she chose optometry, her pre-reg experience in Windsor, and the career wobbles that most clinicians will recognise. She also shares why communication, networking and teaching have been central to her development as a practitioner, and what running a children's play franchise alongside her clinical career taught her about connecting with people in the consulting room.

Her advice for newly qualified optometrists? Stay calm, enjoy it, don't panic.

New episodes of Lights Too Bright drop regularly on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Subscribe to the channel for the full conversations: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCadO2IUUeF0Tp3CpXHrLwCw

#Optometry #Ophthalmology #EyeCare #EyeHealth #OptometryLife #OptometryPodcast #CPD #ClinicalOptometry #PatientCare #LightsTooBright #OptometryCareer #EyeCareProfessionals #UKOptometry #NewlyQualified

In this engaging interview, Karmelo Modina shares his diverse journey through optometry, from clinical practice and research to charity work and entrepreneurship. Discover insights on career flexibility, the importance of continuous learning, and how to find your passion within the profession.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:10 Career Overview and Out of the Box Optics

05:11 Journey to Becoming an Optometrist

08:39 Pre-Registration Experience and Influences

10:45 Transitioning from Boots to Academia

15:01 Research Challenges and Teaching Opportunities

18:48 Future Aspirations and PhD Considerations

23:38 The Struggles of Commuting

24:37 Transitioning to Locum Work

25:43 The Birth of Out of the Box Optics

27:09 Navigating Opportunities in Optometry

30:38 Experiences in Film and TV Optometry

34:11 The Journey of Out of the Box Optics

39:58 Becoming a Practice Owner

44:20 Charity Work and Volunteering in Greece

49:34 0319 (1).mp4

Resources

Out of the Box Optics - https://outoftheboxoptics.com/

Optoversity Challenge - https://optoversity.com/

Light Without Borders Greece - https://lightwithoutborders.org/

Western Eye Hospital - https://www.imperial.nhs.uk/our-services/hospitals/western-eye-hospital

guest links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/karmelomodina/

Join Keyur as he interviews optometrist Trey Trott about his unique journey from Bermuda to the UK, his experiences with scleral lenses, and insights into optometry practice across different countries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Trey Trott and His Journey

20:13 Navigating Optometry Education and Career Paths

29:31 The Importance of Professional Development in Optometry

39:38 Reflections on Practice and Future Aspirations

resources

Guest links

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/trey-trott

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/treytrott

In this engaging conversation, Keyur and Anu discuss Anu's journey in optometry, from his initial aspirations to become an engineer to his eventual passion for eye care. They explore the evolution of optometry in the US, the increasing roles of optometrists in surgical procedures, and the importance of glaucoma care. Anu shares insights from his academic career and emphasizes the limitless opportunities within the field of optometry, encouraging students to keep an open mind and explore various paths. The discussion highlights the significance of networking and finding one's passion in the profession.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Chill Doctor

02:44 The Journey to Optometry

08:02 The Evolution of Optometry in the US

15:48 Training and Specialization in Optometry

23:17 The Value of Generalists vs. Specialists in Optometry

27:50 Networking and Career Beginnings

30:55 The Importance of Glaucoma in Optometry

36:55 Transitioning to Academia and Research

43:15 Diverse Opportunities in Optometry

47:28 Advice for Aspiring Optometrists

54:10 0319 (1).mp4

In this engaging interview, Professor Philip Morgan shares his 36-year journey in optometry, his research in contact lenses, and insights into academic and industry collaborations. Discover how curiosity, support, and strategic opportunities shape a successful career beyond clinical practice.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Philip Morgan

01:27 Philip's Academic Journey

03:42 The Influence of Personal Experience on Career Choice

06:12 Transitioning from Practice to Academia

14:12 The Diverse Opportunities in Optometry

18:09 The PhD Experience: Curiosity Over Intelligence

21:26 The Role of Research in Optometry Education

23:37 Industry Collaboration and Its Impact on Education

25:28 Teaching and Research: A Dual Role

28:41 The Science of Contact Lenses

32:56 Involvement in International Organizations

38:04 Advice for Aspiring Optometrists