Ahalya is a Senior Lecturer who teaches on our Introduction to Optometry, BSc Optometry and MSc Optometry programmes. She continues to practice as an Optometrist alongside her academic work which includes developing new technologies to help people with visual impairments.
Discovering Optometry
I came into Optometry purely by chance! Initially I considered studying Maths or Biotechnology, but my mother noticed an advert for Optometry in the local paper and encouraged me to apply. I went to the local library to do a bit of research (this was pre-internet days), and what I read really interested me so I decided to apply. The rest as they say is history and I have never regretted my decision as I really enjoy being able to help people with visual impairment improve their quality of life.
Academia
I studied Optometry in India. I had a fantastic time and was lucky enough to meet some amazing people – patients, staff and fellow students. I still keep in touch with many of my peers and in recent times this has provided a rich opportunity for us to set up a research and educational collaboration with LV Prasad Eye Institute in India.
I remember when I was an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to examine a patient who had very poor eye sight. By prescribing them the right pair of glasses and magnifiers I was able to drastically improve what they could see. When the patient came back to see me with their new aids and glasses, they were very emotional (as was I) and told me that I had made a big difference to them. They went on to tell me that that had seen numerous ophthalmologists over the years and had undergone various surgeries but it was my intervention as an optometrist that really helped. I think this incident and an excellent mentor who taught us visual impairment made me realise that this was a field I wanted to be in and teach.
Becoming a Lecturer
Following graduation, I worked at a hospital. The opportunity then arose for me to do teaching and research. I enjoyed this so much that I decided to explore opportunities for carrying out doctoral research. I was extremely lucky as I managed to get a scholarship to carry out doctoral studies in Manchester. I subsequently did post-doctoral work for a year in Cambridge before starting at City. Alongside my role as an academic, I continue to practice as an optometrist once a month by working in a low vision clinic at St Thomas’ hospital.
Lecturing at City
The most rewarding part of my current job is teaching students. I love teaching students about visual impairment and the ways an optometrist can make a big difference to a visually impaired person. When students start in year 1, they don’t know much about optometry, but by the end of year 3 they have become confident student optometrists ready to start their pre-registration period. I love being part of their journey and watching them grow. I sometimes bump into students at conferences and always feel a sense of pride when I hear how well they have done since graduating.
Areas of specialism
I am particularly interested in finding ways we can encourage visually impaired people to use technology, identify which technologies benefit visually impaired people and develop new technologies for people with a visual impairment.
Visual impairment is a common problem worldwide. In fact, 2 million people in the UK alone have a visual impairment. People who have a visual impairment find limited benefit through the use of glasses alone and consequently face difficulties carrying out activities of daily living such as reading and getting around. Many of these individuals can be helped through the prescription of specialist low vision aids such as telescopes and magnifiers and through technology.
The student experience
Students will have a brilliant time at City, taught by a dedicated and enthusiastic team who create life long learners who go on to become dedicated and passionate optometrists. At City we pride ourselves on giving students opportunities to grow and expand their horizons. Since 2018 some of our students have had the opportunity to visit an eye hospital in India and observe in their eye clinics. This provided both cultural and clinical competency for our students.
