The Light's Too Bright

Sarah Farrant shares her inspiring journey through optometry, from her early interests to her leadership roles and specialisation in dry eye management. Discover how passion, networking, and continuous learning can shape a successful career in eye care. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sarah Faran 01:12 Sarah's Journey to Optometry 05:59 Experiences in New Zealand 10:22 Returning to the UK and Start...

Something a little different from Lights Too Bright. In this special POV-style episode, host Keyur takes to the hills for a 16-hill training walk ahead of the Three Peaks Challenge, joined by one of his oldest friends from university, Prisha Kotecha, an optometrist working at Boots Opticians. The format: one question at the top of each hill. Across the walk, Prisha talks about why she chose optome...

In this engaging interview, Karmelo Modina shares his diverse journey through optometry, from clinical practice and research to charity work and entrepreneurship. Discover insights on career flexibility, the importance of continuous learning, and how to find your passion within the profession. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:10 Career Overview and Out of the Box Optics 05:11 Journey...

Join Keyur as he interviews optometrist Trey Trott about his unique journey from Bermuda to the UK, his experiences with scleral lenses, and insights into optometry practice across different countries. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trey Trott and His Journey 20:13 Navigating Optometry Education and Career Paths 29:31 The Importance of Professional Development in Optometry 39:38 Reflections on Pra...

In this engaging conversation, Keyur and Anu discuss Anu's journey in optometry, from his initial aspirations to become an engineer to his eventual passion for eye care. They explore the evolution of optometry in the US, the increasing roles of optometrists in surgical procedures, and the importance of glaucoma care. Anu shares insights from his academic career and emphasizes the limitless opportu...

In this engaging interview, Professor Philip Morgan shares his 36-year journey in optometry, his research in contact lenses, and insights into academic and industry collaborations. Discover how curiosity, support, and strategic opportunities shape a successful career beyond clinical practice. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Philip Morgan 01:27 Philip's Academic Journey 03:42 The Influence of Person...

In this episode, Peter Greedy shares his diverse journey from optometry to coaching and entrepreneurship, highlighting lessons learned along the way. Discover insights on leadership, resilience, and how to stay passionate in your profession. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Peter Greedy 02:06 Peter's Journey into Optometry 07:24 Experiences at University and Cult Influence 09:23 Early Career and Fam...

In this episode, Keyur interviews Isma Tahir, a qualified optometrist and founder of Sight Relief ( https://sight-relief.org/ ), a charity focused on providing eye care in rural Pakistan. Isma shares her journey from being an optometrist in the UK to starting a charity that addresses visual impairment in underserved communities. The conversation explores the challenges of starting a charity, the i...

Nicholas Rumney shares his journey in optometry, from his early influences to his experiences abroad and the impact on his professional approach. He emphasizes the importance of community, education, and the need for optometrists to take a more active role in disease management and patient care. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including the evolution of optometry, professional deve...

In this episode of "Lights Too Bright," host Keyur reconnects with Seema Raunier, an optometrist with a diverse portfolio career. Seema shares her journey from initially pursuing a career in medicine, influenced by her father's expectations, to discovering her passion for optometry. Despite not initially wanting to be an optometrist, she found fulfillment in her work and has since built a varied c...

In this episode, Keyur's esteemed guests discuss the importance of curiosity, self-awareness, and authenticity in personal and professional growth. Emphasizing the need to start with oneself when seeking change and the value of learning from mistakes. They also highlight the significance of passion and keeping an open mind to opportunities. Takeaways Be humble, make an offer. There's no right or w...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur and Rambod Esfandiari discuss their long-standing friendship and the journey into the field of optometry. Rambod shares his unique path to becoming an optometrist, emphasizing the importance of entrepreneurship and the business side of the profession. They explore the significance of effective communication in patient care, the value of mento...

My first proper guest, Sheena Tanna-Shah. In this episode of the Lights too Bright, Keyur interviews Sheena Tanna-Shah, an optometrist who shares her journey from aspiring psychologist to a successful optometrist and wellbeing coach. Sheena discusses her struggles with mental health, the importance of mindset, and how she found purpose in her profession. She also highlights the cultural aspects of...

In this conversation, Keyur and Karen Walsh explore Karen's extensive career journey in optometry, from her early life in Suffolk to her current role in Canada. They discuss her experiences in clinical practice, the transition to industry, and the impact of COVID-19 on research. Karen shares valuable insights on the importance of networking, being open to opportunities, and following one's passion...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Purvi Thompson shares her journey in optometry, discussing her current role as head of optometry at OCL Vision, the importance of refraction in patient care, and her experiences transitioning from high street optometry to clinical settings. She emphasizes the value of networking and seizing opportunities, encouraging aspiring optometrists to believ...

In this episode, Eddie Pigott shares his journey from being an optometrist to running a marketing business. He discusses the challenges of networking in a new city, the decision-making process behind his career transitions, and the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone. Eddie reflects on his experiences in professional services at Alcon and offers valuable advice for those considering a...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur interviews Stuart Wellings, of EyeCare Education. They discuss Stuart's diverse career journey, starting from IT to becoming a key player in CPD events and eye care education. The conversation highlights the importance of mentorship, networking, and continuous learning in the optometry field. Stuart shares insights on organizing successful ev...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur interviews Jonathan Bench, who shares his diverse journey in the field of optometry. From his early aspirations of becoming an airline pilot to his current role as Director of Professional Education International, Jonathan discusses the various experiences that shaped his career. He emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, the val...

In this conversation, Keyur and Amit Sharma discuss Amit's journey in the field of optometry, his transition from clinical practice to business ownership, and the challenges and rewards of managing multiple practices. They explore the importance of personal values, emotional intelligence, and the significance of relationships in professional growth. Amit shares insights on the differences between...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur interviews Gurpreet Chana, an optometrist with a unique career journey. They discuss Gurpreet's background, cultural influences on career choices, and the importance of mentorship and networking in the optometry field. The conversation also touches on generational differences in the profession and concludes with valuable advice for new gradua...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur and Hamza Mussa discuss Hamza's journey in optometry, his rise on social media as 'The Crazy Optom', and the importance of mentorship and community in the profession. They explore the challenges and opportunities within optometry, emphasizing the need for new graduates to seek diverse experiences and not be afraid to pursue their passions. Ha...

In this engaging conversation, Francesca Marchetti shares her journey as a self-employed independent optometrist, discussing her professional identity, the importance of networking, and the impact of COVID-19 on her practice. She emphasizes the significance of building rapport with patients and reflects on the pros and cons of self-employment in optometry. Francesca also offers valuable advice for...

In this episode, Keyur interviews Hans Sunnassee, a global business development manager at Menicon, who shares his journey from a non-healthcare background to a significant role in the ophthalmic industry. Hans discusses his experiences in sales, the importance of community in optics, and the impact of his work on patient care. He emphasizes the value of continuous learning, collaboration, and bei...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright Pod, Dr. Sonia Trave Huarte shares her journey in optometry, focusing on dry eye research and her experiences in academia. She discusses her early inspirations, the impact of the Erasmus Plus program on her career, and the transition from working with children to specializing in ocular surface disease. Dr. Huarte also provides insights into the PhD process,...

In this episode of the Lights Too Bright podcast, Keyur interviews Michelle Beach, an accomplished optometrist with a rich background in sports vision. They discuss Michelle's journey from her idyllic childhood in Norfolk to her current role at Park Vision in Nottingham. Michelle shares her experiences in optometry, including her pre-registration year, the challenges of establishing her practice,...