Young people get hands-on technology insight into optometry

Optometrist Hamza Mussa looking into a student’s eyes with a slit lamp.

YOUNG people have had the opportunity to sample what life is like for optometrists and the technology they use at one of the country’s biggest career fairs.

Hundreds of 10 to 13-year-olds took part in the hands-on optometry and audiology experience on the Specsavers stand at the Big Bang careers fair at the NEC in Birmingham between 19 and 21 June. The fair welcomed tens of thousands of students across the three days.

Optometrist Aisha Waheed with a student.

‘This year we wanted to offer more clinical and technology insights into what life is life for optometrists in community practices,’ says Specsavers early careers manager Lucy Knock. ‘The exciting bit was seeing them having a go themselves at being the clinician, being that healthcare practitioner and seeing what it feels like to help people seeing and use this technology.

‘They were also able to have a chat to clinicians, who were on-hand, who use this technology and help people every day. They could feel what it is life, with the experience designed to pique their interest in a career in optics or audiology.’

She adds that students enjoyed being able to have a try with the type of technology that optometrists use from a digital slit lamp, OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) machine and fundus camera under supervision by clinicians.

‘They were able to take it turns to see their eyes, with the images also displayed on screens. It proved a real draw during the fair, with young people talking about what they saw and taking photos and selfies with the images.’

There was also plenty available for young people interested in learning more about audiology.

‘We had dummy heads where students could use an otoscope to take a look inside the ears. We could simulate a number of different pathologies and they loved using the micro suction tool to draw out the fake wax. Again, we had clinicians on hand to guide the young people,’ says Ms Knock.

‘Becoming an optometrist or audiologist is brilliant and as the only organisation from our sector, it was a privilege to talk to so many young people about the opportunities provided through a career in these community services.’