Patience reaps rewards for Wade O’Brien

 

The 2024 OV/SA Student Academic Award winner for Deakin University is Wade O’Brien. OV/SA President, Timothy Lo, presented Wade with his award at the 2024 SRC Mini conference in Melbourne.

These Awards recognise optometry students who demonstrate academic excellence, commitment to patient care and professionalism. We caught up with Wade to uncover what led him into a career in optometry, what his plans are for the future and more.

Congratulations on the award, Wade! Where are you currently working in this, your first year?

Thank you, it was a fantastic surprise. I’m currently working at Specsavers in Wodonga, Victoria as a graduate optometrist.

Why did you choose to become an optometrist? What was your career path?

I really fell into the profession. I was working in a community centre that provided food relief and supported employment initiatives. Unfortunately, funding ran out for my role, so I started looking for new employment.

While I was having an eye test in 2012 at Specsavers in Townsville, Queensland, I was offered a job that I hadn’t even applied for. The passion and hard work of this practice’s directors, Gary Page and Linda Morrish, along with their high level of patient care, inspired me to pursue optometry as a career. I was hoping to provide the same life-changing care to my patients. I progressed through management roles, before moving to Geelong in 2018, intending to study optometry. As a mature aged student, it took several years before I was accepted into the optometry program at Deakin University, but I haven’t looked back.

What were the challenges you faced as an optometry student? 

Along with waiting for my university application to be accepted in the first place, the greatest challenge was balancing the demanding academic curriculum with part time work and spending time with my wife, Katelyn. I had to accept that it was a near impossible delicate balance to strike, as I was studying five days and working two days of every week.

I also found it challenging being away from my wife for several months of clinical placement during my final study year. But it’s all been worth it!

Which OV/SA student membership benefits were most useful to you during your studies?

I relished the chance to participate in Optometry Australia’s Student Leadership program in 2023. It was enormously beneficial in building connections within the profession and developing my communication skills.

Accessing clinical guidelines, resources and webinars also deepened my understanding of what I was learning at university.

What do you find personally rewarding about a career in optometry?

Whether it’s finding a potentially life or sight threatening diagnosis and providing the care needed, or reassuring a presbyopic patient that they are not going blind – every day brings new challenges that I find deeply rewarding.

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

I was, and still am, shocked! I cried, my wife cried. The award validated the hard work I’ve put in over the past three and a half years. It made all those nights I fell asleep at my desk while studying feel more worthwhile.

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

I’m hopeful about expanding the scope of practice. I often find my hands feel tied when faced with pathology that could be easily managed in our practice. Being able to perform and bill for swabs, or prescribe oral antivirals for a recurrent condition would enhance optometrists’ ability to assist patients, especially in lower socioeconomic and rural areas, where ophthalmology isn’t readily available.

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