When people decide to work at Specsavers, they’re joining a company with a purpose to change lives through better sight and hearing – hence why more Australians and New Zealanders choose the optometry provider over any other.
As one of the largest employers in the ANZ optometry sector, Insight sits down with an employee each month to hear about their growth trajectory within the company.
Specsavers stats
Name: Jin Woo (James) Lee
Current position: Optometrist
Location: Specsavers Upper Mt Gravatt
Years within the business: Graduated 2019
Why did you pursue an optometry career, and how did you enter the profession?
One of the key factors that drew me to optometry is the ability to improve one’s vision and in turn improve their quality of life. I was told at the age of four that I was at risk of amblyopia. Ever since then, glasses have been a part of my identity. Having had firsthand experience, I understand the impact that proper vision care can have on a person’s daily life. I also appreciate the health and science aspect behind optometry, and the constant advancements in technology that allow for better diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions.
How did you come to work at Specsavers, and what attracted you to the business?
I was particularly drawn to the company’s commitment to providing high-quality and accessible eyecare services to people from all walks of life. Specsavers is at the forefront of the optometry industry and offers accessible services and products to meet the diverse needs of its customers.
Another aspect that appealed to me is the company’s emphasis on professional development and career progression. Specsavers offers a number of development opportunities ranging from their annual Specsavers Clinical Conference, Supervisor Program, Manager Ascent Program and Pathway Program. This not only helps to enhance one’s skills and knowledge about optometry but also provides an insight on commercial awareness.
What was your first role within the business, and what did it entail?
I joined Specsavers in my second year out of university. Having worked at other corporate optometry companies instilled the experience and ability to test patients with no time-stress or patient-volume difficulties. I was eager to learn more and develop more as an optometrist and as a person.
The mentorship from the store directors (Scott, Peter and Matthew) play a pivotal role in my development and help in honing both my optometry and commercial skills. In my second year with the company, they supported me to further my knowledge in one of the most fascinating aspects of optometry – glaucoma.
This has been a career highlight since embarking on my journey with Specsavers. Completing an Advanced Certificate of Glaucoma through the Australian College of Optometry was truly an invaluable experience. Through completing this, I was able to delve deeper and further understand the pathophysiology, diagnosis and co-management of this disease.
It’s about being intricate and proficient at investigating the full family history, personal systemic conditions, OCT/VFT/IOP results and gonioscopy results to reduce the progression of glaucoma as much as possible. The course also provided new evidence-based research and the upcoming glaucoma management that may be available for the near future. With all this knowledge, it is great to be able to discuss glaucoma fundamentals and how manageable it really is with patients.
What is your most interesting clinical case?
I have had many interesting clinical cases throughout my career so far and it is quite difficult to pinpoint a specific case. It spans from post-op cataract complications, sporting injuries, blood disorders affecting our eyes to even choroidal melanoma. It is quite eye-opening what can be found from a simple routine eye exam. It is amazing that Specsavers allows for accessible eye care services to the community.
What excites you most about turning up for work each day?
The ability to see clearly is undoubtedly one of the greatest fundamentals in the quality of life, and I believe that every individual deserves the freedom to experience such a gift. I, myself, am very grateful for every advice my optometrist passed onto me since I was four years old. It is the reason why I am able to wake up and get ready for work, drive my car, and see my loved ones. I thrive by providing high-quality eye care to people from all walks of life, and being part of a team dedicated to this journey brings a great sense of belonging and community. As each patient takes a step into my office, my ultimate goal is to make sure I contribute to the improvement of the quality of lives and vision care, one set of eyes at a time.
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