Ali Abud was recently announced as the Optometry Victoria South Australia (OV/SA) 2025 Student Award winner for Deakin University. The OV/SA Student Awards recognise optometry students, as selected by their university faculty, who demonstrate outstanding academic excellence, and a profound commitment to patient care and professionalism.

Ali’s dedication to mastering the complex theoretical frameworks of optics, coupled with his natural empathy, made him a compelling choice for this award. We caught up with Ali to discuss his optometry studies and his hopes for the evolving role of optometrists in the Australian healthcare system.

Congratulations on the Award. What attracted you to studying optometry?

Optometry was very appealing to me because of its unique blend of healthcare and physics, especially around how the human eye interacts with glasses and contact lenses. I have always been interested in theoretical frameworks, and having the opportunity to apply them to help people’s vision was really compelling.

What were the challenges and highlights of your time as an optometry student?

The biggest challenge in my early years of studying optometry was learning how to think as a clinician. Coming from a background of simply memorising content and taking an exam, it was quite the adjustment. However, with the guidance of Deakin University staff, my approach to complex scenarios and patient presentations developed rapidly. The most significant highlight was doing well in my diagnostic exams and OSCEs after months of preparation with my peers, because it was the result of a holistic approach to patient presentations.

Which OV/SA student membership benefit was most useful to you during your studies?

The Optometry Australia Institute of Excellence was instrumental during my studies, providing me with insights from experienced clinicians. Seeing how they would work through a complex patient presentation gave me a solid foundation for how I should approach future scenarios.

What was your reaction when you found out you were the Deakin University OV/SA prize winner?

I was surprised! I was in contact with Optometry Australia earlier in the day to sort out my registration and membership, so when I got another call, I was not expecting it to be about the prize. I was glad to share the good news with my family and friends.

What are your hopes for the future of the optometry profession?

My hope for the future is that optometrists continue to make a positive impact on healthcare, locally and nationally. With Optometry Australia’s advocacy, I look forward to seeing the strides being made to expand the scope of practice for optometrists, so that it can synergise well with other healthcare professionals. I’m excited to see the profession grow in the years to come.