As a Toowoomba optometrist, I am required to keep up to date with current research, industry trends and treatment options as part of maintaining my registration.
I had the opportunity to spend three beautiful days at the Gold Coast recently at the Australian Vision Convention 2014. This is a great opportunity to listen to experts in the field present updates, see what new styles and fashions are coming and to meet with my colleagues in an informal setting.
When you do the same job day in and day out I’m sure that it’s easy to become bored if you don’t love what you do. I’m so lucky that when I come to work each day I can honestly say that I am happy to be here and love being able to help people.
That’s why an educational weekend such as this one is also great because it reminds me what a wonderful profession optometry has become. I could fulfil the same educational requirements by ‘learning online’ but I love getting together with my friends to discuss cases, compare stories and just absorb the buzz of the 500 or so optometrists who gather for the weekend.
I love being able to try out the newest equipment that is available to me to be able to offer my patients the best possible care. It is inspiring to see such a large number of young optometrists presenting on the program – a motivation in itself. And of course, what sort of weekend would it be without ending the day with a glass of icy cold champagne...