Seeing in high definition with Samuel Dent

 

When his science degree with a focus on research didn’t pan out the way he hoped, Samuel Dent found himself picking up an optical dispensing job while he considered his next steps. A few years later, Samuel is the Deakin University OV/SA Student Award winner for optometry, and now he’s looking forward to merging his long-standing passion for research with his new passion for eye care.

The optical dispensing job that kicked off Samuel’s optometry career was like any other, advertised to the general public in his hometown of Hamilton. He was a few years off a science degree, finished in 2014, but he had found the experience far less fulfilling than he had anticipated, so he was due for a change.

‘After my first degree, I thought I’d love it, but I was quickly hit with reality. It was all about genetics research, which is fascinating, but it was also very isolating in a way I hadn’t expected. Not much human contact, not as dynamic or exciting as I thought it would be,’ he said.

Having been to the optometrist throughout his childhood and teenage years, Samuel was superficially familiar with the world of optometry practices, so when the opportunity came up to work as an optical dispenser, he took a chance on something new. What he discovered was a whole new world of challenges, and so it wasn’t long before he found himself re-enrolled in the Deakin Optometry course to pursue this new endeavour.

‘Even doing the optometry course, I was sure that I would enjoy it. I’m always looking for ways to extend myself, and the course was certainly challenging. But it was also fantastic,’ he said.

Samuel quickly proved himself up to the challenge, and went on to receive the 2023 Deakin University OV/SA Student Award. He now works at Specsavers in Shepparton as a full optometrist.

‘Optometry is much more dynamic than I expected, much more challenging and fun. I’m proud of the recognition, and I like to think it reflects my passion and also how much I appreciate the education I’ve received. Thank you so much to the lecturers and faculty. I’m really chuffed,’ he said.

A chance encounter

Samuel “wasn’t that keen” on the optical dispensing job in his hometown of Hamilton initially, but it wasn’t long before he came to love the work. After three years of working with patients at Glenn Howell Optometrist he knew that optometry was his future career, even if he didn’t exactly know what went on in the back room. Samuel jokes that all of his theories about the work of an optometrist were all wrong, though it was always a curiosity.

As with many optometrists, his journey with the profession began young. The world of optometry had been on his radar since he was eight and went for an eye test, but these tests actually kicked off his interest in genetics and genetic disease, rather than optometry.

‘In hindsight, I paid attention to the wrong part. I should have paid attention to the optometry!’ he said.

But after completing his degree, he eventually found his way into optometry, and his prior interest and study with research and genetics gives him additional insight into the eye. This interest was further served with university placement experiences at the Australian College of Optometry, Shepparton, and Geelong, which provided him the breadth of experience to determine where he might see himself working once graduated.

‘I quite enjoy more dynamic work out in regional Victoria, you get to think more critically, and it’s much more challenging. There’s a diversity of experience compared to metropolitan areas. I love that diverse experience, plus I grew up in a country town, so it’s a natural fit,’ he said.

Patients and patience

‘So many optometrists have a special interest or area of passion, but I’ve only dabbled so far. I’m still developing skills, exploring, extending; I’m trying to reinforce all my initial training and knowledge and not de-skill. That said, so far, I’m enjoying being a generalist. It lets me help everyone who walks through the door,’ he said.

While he’s still getting used to work in the back of the practice, Samuel agrees that when it comes time to extend his skills in a specific direction, there is one particular topic that still inspires him.

‘If there was some facet that involved genetics, I’d leap on it. Something that involves research, and perhaps something that affects the way people think about optometry. There are so many areas of research, and I think there could be more ways to monitor or assess chronic conditions or systemic disease such as diabetes. The window to the soul has so many different things to catch,’ he said.

But for now, Samuel agrees that he needs to learn how to be an optometrist first, and a big part of that is dealing with patients day-to-day. Fortunately, his experience as an optical dispenser means he knows a practice from both sides.

‘I feel lucky that I’m passionate about optometry from top to bottom. I’m grateful that it encourages me to extend myself, as well. There’s so much you can learn about people, their lives, what’s important to them. My time at the front of house has definitely helped me build rapport with patients.

‘What stuck with me the most is educating patients, you know, actually talking to them to about their perceptions on their own eye health, is so important. People come in with their own concerns, and I get to help them understand their eyes and feel better. I love the patient education side of things and I’m hopefully getting better at simplifying things to be more digestible,’ he said.

Samuel was recommended glasses as a child, but declined at the time. He was then recommended them again as a teenager, and declined again. Finally, as an optometrist, he admits that it is definitely worth seeing clearly, and works hard to share that experience wherever he can.

‘My dream is to provide help to any patient I come across, whatever their issue,’ he said.

‘There’s something special when you see patients, particularly kids, light up when they realise they can suddenly see in high definition.’