Leicester optometrist appointed to national eyecare body

Leicester optometrist appointed to national eyecare body

An optometrist from Leicester has been elected Vice President of the College of Optometrists, the professional body for optometry in the UK.

Hassnain Safdar MCOptom, director at Evington Eyecare in Downing Drive and While Opticians in Horsefair Street, was elected to the role at the College’s Annual General Meeting.

The role will see Hassnain working alongside President Professor Irene Ctori FCOptom and the College’s Board of Trustees and Council to support the College in advancing the profession and delivering its strategic objectives.

As an independent business owner and portfolio optometrist, he is well positioned to offer informed perspectives and advise the College on how such changes may affect businesses and eyecare provision across the sector.

He said: “At a time of significant opportunity and change for our profession, I am excited about the work ahead. I look forward to working closely with our newly elected President, Professor Irene Ctori FCOptom, to champion collaboration, innovation and inclusion, helping to shape a stronger, more influential future for optometry and ensuring our profession continues to evolve and thrive.

“The future of optometry is bright, and I am excited to play my part in moving our profession forward. It’s an opportunity to share my views. I can use my real-world experience to say how things are going to impact those of us on the coalface and ensure our views are represented.”

Hassnain, aged 31, will serve a two-year term as Vice President.

He added: “I’m the youngest Vice President in the College’s history so this is a huge honour for me. I’m going to bring a new energy, a fresh perspective and a real hunger to make a difference. I want to build on recent work that has brought optometry and ophthalmology far closer together, ensuring patients get the best possible eye care across the board.

“I’m passionate about changing the perception of opticians’ practices. We are often seen as somewhere that just sells glasses, but we are much more than that. We are a vital healthcare service that looks after eye health, and I want us to be acknowledged as such.”