Andrew Miller MCOptom Higher Cert LV
My role
"My current job role is as the full-time lead on the Low Vision Team for a sight loss charity. I co-ordinate and manage the service which supports people with sight loss to make the best use of their residual vision.
My week is varied, about four days are spent in clinic and the rest of the time is managing the service, education and training, as well as working with partner organisations."
My responsibilities
“I work as part of a team to provide a holistic range of support to people who are visually impaired. This may include giving advice on magnification, lighting and contrast. But equally it could mean arranging support for welfare or emotional problems associated with sight loss.
The charity I work for offers teaching and training opportunities to other professionals, helping them to provide better support for people living with sight loss. As part of this work I teach sessions about low vision management at two different universities and in addition undergraduates from the local Optometry degree course spend half a day at our centre during their final year.
As part of my current role I have also been lucky enough to work abroad. I was initially teaching on the Vision Rehabilitation Masters course in Amman, Jordan, and then helping to develop low vision teaching curriculum and clinic services in Jordan and the West Bank. I have also just returned from a trip to Nepal and Bangladesh where I went to review low vision services in two hospitals.
Seeing services in lower resourced countries has helped me gain a new perspective on my role in the UK."
Career progression
"I did my pre-reg. three days per week in independent practice and two days per week in a hospital, which for me was a really good mix of clinical experience.
I worked in a range of high street and independent practices after that and spent 11 years at a large community multiple.
I worked part-time whilst I studied for my Masters and have been at my current post for the last 10 years."
Changes in the profession
"An ageing population coupled with new treatments means that there will be an increasing number of people needing good quality low vision support.
I think optometrists need more education and training around social care. Many optometrists will see patients where they may need to refer them to other agencies or be aware of what other partner organisations can offer.”
What I enjoy
"There are not that many optometrists working in the charity sector and therefore not so many opportunities, but I would say that there are niches to fill. I'd say to others interested in this part of the profession that it’s important to look for opportunities that interest you. I didn’t move away from optometry, but developed my skills which helped me find a new opening.
What I enjoy most about my job is that it’s so varied. Helping people to see better is what I got into the profession to do and working in a low vision service allows me to do just that.”
