How did you first become aware of the profession?
I have been unconsciously aware of the profession since the age of four, as I started wearing glasses myself around this point. I realised the full aspect of the job around the age of 16 when I was researching a range of professions to see what appealed to me.
Who influenced or inspired the decision to go into optometry?
I was inspired by an optometrist I met in a coffee shop. She’d bought me a drink in a pay-it-forward sort of gesture. We ended up talking and whilst I voiced my dilemma of not knowing what I wanted to do, she told me about her job – all the good and the bad. I think it just resonated with me. At the time it was exactly the push I needed to start attending university open days.
What were the main reasons you wanted to become an optometrist?
I felt that it was a very well-balanced career choice. I liked the prospect of being able to make a difference in peoples’ lives whilst also having a good work/life balance.
What placements have you carried out, and what have you learned from your experience of optometry so far?
I’ve carried out day placements in Optical Express and Newmedica, following the journey of cataract removals. I have also shadowed orthoptists in a children’s hospital. I’ve learnt over time that the world of optometry is vast and constantly expanding and that the collaboration between a multidisciplinary team is truly the art of patient care and management.
Are you an early career optometrist? Share your story with OT, get in touch by email.
Do you have a career path in mind? What are your professional goals?
Currently, I’m just aiming to survive my pre-reg. But after that, I’m not sure. I’m keeping my options open. I’d like to delve further into special effect and cosmetic contact lenses if there are avenues available. I’m very much a fan of pop culture and media so I quite like the idea of contact lenses for film and movies – even if just temporarily.
Personal pace, the learning curve, and listening to mind and body
What helped you settle into university or the workplace?
Taking things at my own pace and establishing rapport with the people around me. I think getting comfortable in my surroundings helped me to feel less on edge when it came to asking for help.
Is there one thing that you wish someone had told you about optometry before you started?
Not every day will be the best day and that’s okay – as long as you’re willing to learn from your mistakes and take the lesson as a learning curve, you’ll be better for it.
Not every day will be the best day and that’s okay
How do you approach balancing studying and work, with socialising and making time for yourself?
I think I’ve been fortunate to find a supportive workplace that is keen to answer my questions, so I often feel as though I’m not having to balance work and study as I’m doing them simultaneously. With studying I try to always do the harder topics first. In terms of making time for myself, I find that I work better without a set schedule. I’m more reliant on listening to my mind and body.
An unforgettable experience: the CooperVision OptiStudent competition
Formerly known as FORCE, the OptiStudent competition sees optometry students from across Europe undertaking research projects on a contact lens or anterior eye-related topic. Samya was named one of the winners of the OptiStudent UK & Ireland 2023 event.
What did CooperVision’s OptiStudent event involve? What was the focus of your project?
Our project focused on the impact of heat and massage on meibomian glands in contact lenses wearers. The event involved putting together a presentation explaining our project methods, motivations and findings.
What was the OptiStudent experience like? What have you taken away from this experience?
The experience was amazing and one that I will never forget. Coming away from this experience, I have a newfound appreciation for the research aspect of optometry as well as how optometric study differs in different parts of the world from socialising with other winners.
What does it mean to you to have won?
Words can’t explain. It was something I hadn’t expected for myself, so it means a lot. It is a win that I will always think fondly of. It really helped solidify I had made the correct choice in career.
Pictured: Dr Debarun Dutta, lecturer at Aston University and student supervisor, OptiStudent UK and Ireland 2023 winners Mohammed Fardin and Samya Haque from Aston University, Tom Elliott, professional affairs consultant at CooperVision, and Professor James Wolffsohn, judge at the OptiStudent awards and head of optometry at Aston University.