Society Spotlight: Optometry Society
By Genevieve Barter
The UC Optometry Society represents the University’s optometry students. Since the degree is relatively new to Canberra, the society is focused on community building. The society is open to everyone but primarily focuses on optometry students. Society president Daniel’s mission is to foster student engagement and bring together cohorts that would normally not mix. This year has seen an exciting increase in student engagement with the Optometry Society, and the team is looking forward to continuing that momentum and seeing the UC optometry community grow even stronger in the years ahead.
Photos credited to @cynthiasphotography.
The Optometry Society recently held its annual ball, The Eyeball, and it was a huge success, with attendance growing from 80-100 to 136 people. The event sold out, and additional tickets were released due to high demand. This was a huge achievement for the Optometry Society.
The society is widely supported by corporate chains as well as suppliers, such as OPSM, Specsavers, Blink, Zeiss and Johnson & Johnson. These sponsors help cover event costs, with the goal of making more events free or discounted for students. Young Optometrists is a community for recently graduated optometrists, open to those who have graduated within the last five years. Vision Connect, is a group uniting independent optometrists for cost-sharing, supplier connections and business strategy.
The Optometry Society is hoping to have more sponsors and events next year to encourage more engagement.
The society’s goal at the moment is to change the culture, by increasing involvement and running more events to reach more students. Daniel is focused on leaving a strong platform for future years. Vivien, the vice president and a second-year optometry student, plans to run more social events that are beyond optometry-focused activities, to continue fostering connection.
When asked what they would say to prospective optometry students, the society acknowledged some of the challenges facing the profession, including oversaturation in metropolitan areas and broader salary stagnation. However, they emphasised that there are still many opportunities for those willing to seek them out, build connections and explore different areas of the profession. Ultimately, they believe optometry remains a genuinely rewarding career and a profession well worth pursuing. They described it as a rewarding career for motivated, people-oriented individuals: a strong health career with reliable hours and meaningful impact, where you are improving someone’s quality of life. ‘Escape competition through authenticity – find your niche’ says Daniel.
Photos credited to @cynthiasphotography.
UC optometry students run a clinic on campus where the public can get eye tests, purchase glasses and/or contact lenses, and access imaging services. It is supervised by a well-regarded local optometrist, who brought with them a large patient base, so the clinic is constantly busy. More patients mean more learning opportunities for students.
If you are a prospective student or keen to get involved in the community, keep an eye on the society’s Instagram and Facebook for upcoming events!