The OT Podcast

In the 20th episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to Sarah Farrant, an optometrist and independent practice owner.    Sarah Farrant is the owner of two independent practices in Somerset, is an expert in therapeutics and dry eye management, and represents the UK as an ambassador on the Tear Film & Ocular Surface Society (TFOS). She lectures both nationally and internationally, and is immediate past president of the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA).   After qualifying from Cardiff in 2003 – a time she described as “brilliant” – Sarah went on to complete her pre-registration placement at Boots Opticians. From there, early in her career, Sarah and her husband Edward moved to New Zealand, where they worked as optometrists and embraced an outdoor lifestyle.   This period helped Sarah “find her feet” professionally, and exposed her to a more specialist clinical environment where she discovered one of her clinical passions – dry eye.   Listen to learn more about Sarah's career path and optometry passions.   

In the 19th episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to Dr Peter Hampson.    Optometrist Dr Peter Hampson made his way into optometry via dispensing optics. It was a thirst for education, combined with a quest for personal and professional development, that saw him progress through optics career opportunities, first qualifying as an optometrist, and later completing his Doctorate in optometry.    Peter has been a familiar face at the AOP since 2012, first as a Councillor, then as a Board member. He officially joined the rollcall in 2017 and today is director of policy and clinical at the AOP.   Listen to our latest episode to learn more. 

In episode 18 of The OT Podcast, we speak to University of Bradford academic, Dr Lindsay Rountree. Optometrist and academic, Lindsay, studied optometry at the University of Cardiff, graduating in 2007. After working in practice for a few years, she returned to education to compete a PhD. Today, she is a lecturer at the University of Bradford and is programme lead for the school’s Master’s programme in optometry.

In the seventeenth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak with educator and all-round contact lens and dry eye enthusiast, Dr Byki Huntjens.   This episode of The OT Podcast is brought to you in partnership with Alcon.    References Thekveli S, Qui Y, Kapoor Y, et al. Structure property relationship of delefilcon A lenses. Contact Lens Anterior Eye. 2012;35 GfK, Contact Lens Fits Italy – January 2023–December 2023.  DAILIEST TOTAL1® and PRECISION1™ have 1.3x higher retention % than DD Sphere Total GfK, Contact Lens Fits Italy – January 2023–December 2023. TOTAL30®has 1.2x higher retention % than Reusable Sphere Total.

In the sixteenth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to ophthalmologist and co-founder of Ocumetra, Professor Ian Flitcroft, about his research hobby becoming his main focus, his love of analogies, and writing fiction 

In the fifteenth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to ophthalmologist Sunil Mamtora about his appreciation for the slit lamp, investigating artificial intelligence, and working with community optometry.

In episode 14 of The OT Podcast, we speak to Professor Bruce Evans, visiting professor at City St George’s, and London South Bank University. For 25 years, Bruce owned his own independent house practice in Essex, Cole Martin Tregaskis Optometrists, and for 15 years balanced this with the role of director of research at the Institute of Optometry.

In episode 13 of The OT Podcast, we speak to Professor Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience who in 2015 received a CBE in recognition of his services to science. We talk to Russell about the importance of research and what there is still to understand about sleep.

In episode 12 of The OT Podcast, we speak to consultant, Allon Barsam. We talk to Allon about his career as an ophthalmologist; from the moment of clarity that set him on the pathway to ophthalmology, to his decisions on sub-specialities over the years.

In episode 11 of The OT Podcast, we speak to CEO of Hakim Group, Imran Hakim. We talk to Imran about his career as an optometrist, inventor and serial entrepreneur, and find out about his journey to establishing the fastest growing family of independent optometry practices in the UK and Ireland.

In episode 10 of The OT Podcast, we speak to director of the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, Professor Lyndon Jones. We talk about Jones’ career path from DJing to optometry – a journey that has seen him travel almost 3500 miles from his hometown Cwmbran, Wales, making pitstops in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, before settling in Ontario, Canada.  

In episode nine of The OT Podcast, we speak to Dame Mary Perkins about her career in optics and the founding of Specsavers, as it marks its 40th anniversary this year.

Optometrist and owner of BBR Optometry, Nick Rumney, talks about education with The OT Podcast hosts, Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes.

In the seventh episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist, entrepreneur and leadership coach, Peter Greedy

In the sixth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist and head of eye care and vision at SeeAbility, Lisa Donaldson, about how people with learning disabilities can access good quality eye care.

In the fifth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist and founder of Okko Health, Dr Stephanie Campbell, about artificial intelligence and how it may change optometry.

In episode four of The OT Podcast, we seek to work out what makes a positive and productive place to work. Speaking to OT on his birthday, our guest is Northumberland-based owner of Aaron Optometrists, Dr Peter Frampton. The IP optometrist and AOP member purchased the practice, which is now part of Hakim Group, in 1993. The move led to the Australian-native remaining in the UK following what was meant to be a short-term stop-off in the 1980s.

In episode three of The OT Podcast, our hosts, Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, shine a spotlight on the patient experience by talking to someone who is both a patient and an industry leader. Keith Valentine has 25 years’ experience in the charity sight loss sector and is currently chief executive of Fight for Sight – soon to merge with Vision Foundation UK. He lost his sight at the age of 36 as a result of retinitis pigmentosa.

Our hosts, OT’s Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, delve into the career of Scottish IP optometrist and practice owner, Ian Cameron, who shares insight into his passion for learning, professional variety and knowledge sharing. Cameron has been managing the award-winning Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh since 2011, when he took over the family business from his father. In 2022 the practice joined Hakim Group.  

Our hosts, OT’s Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, take a close look at the evolving field of myopia management, what it means for practitioners, and the evidence base behind it. They speak to the UK’s ‘Queen of myopia,’ Professor Nicola Logan, who has dedicated her research career to uncovering the answers to important questions about the development, progression and management of myopia.