Declan Hovenden is the current Head of Optometry and formerly Manager of the National Optometry Centre at Kevin Street.  AOI members may be aware that in late 2019 with the publication of a new bye-law by CORU- optometrists will no longer have to complete a Professional Qualifying Examination to register to practice. Declan talks to RADHARC_Journal on the podcast about his history as an optometrist and the changes in the School of Optometry at TU Dublin (formerly DIT Kevin Street), the development of the syllabus, the preparation of students for modern practice; the impact of Covid-19 on the students and the course; looks forward to the move to Grangegorman; and discusses the future of the course.