Nicola Mountford: ‘Expanding optometric scope of practice’

The theme for International Women’s Day (IWD) in 2024 is ‘Invest in women: Accelerate progress’. Held on 8 March each year, Optometry Australia harnesses IWD annually to highlight the important conversation of gender equality with our members, over half of whom identify as women, within the context of optometry.

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In 2020, Nicola Mountford was awarded one of Optometry Australia’s first Looking Outward on Optometric Knowledge (LOOK) International scholarships, which allowed her to study optometric advancements not yet available in Australia.  

Nicola chose to investigate injectable drugs and laser treatments, focusing on the expanded scope of practice in the USA where some laser therapies, injectable drugs and minor surgical procedures have been successfully delivered by optometrists for more than 20 years. Her LOOK report, summarised here, outlines the advantages and disadvantages of this expanded scope of practice, and proposes how some aspects could fit into the Australian optometry landscape.

Since then, Nicola has joined the Optometry Australia (OA) team in the role of Optometry Advancement Advisor. In line with the theme of IWD, we caught up with Nicola to discuss where she is now, and how OA’s LOOK scholarship has accelerated her progress as a female optometrist.

What has been your optometry journey to date?

Since graduating in optometry in 2006, I’ve worked in a variety of private and corporate clinical settings, alongside Vision Australia, in ophthalmology and indigenous healthcare and I’ve supervised optometry students.

During my career, I’ve loved being part of Optometry Australia’s CPD Advisory Group and the Optometry Queensland Northern Territory (OQNT) board. More recently, I was thrilled to join the amazing OA team as an Optometry Advancement Advisor, in tandem with working at Taylor Eyewear in Beenleigh, Queensland.

I’m so grateful for the different experiences and lessons of each role and for the wonderful people I’ve worked with along the way! I have changed directions many times throughout my 18 years in the profession, due to moving states, raising children, and always wanting to keep learning.

How did the LOOK scholarship progress your career and enhance optometry in general?

I was honoured to be awarded the inaugural LOOK scholarship alongside Shelley Hopkins. It made a massive difference to my career and I’m so thankful for it. Primarily, it renewed my commitment to optometry, because in early 2020, I was looking for a career beyond ‘everyday’ optometry but was struggling to identify my passion. When I came across the LOOK scholarship, it inspired me to ‘think outside the square’ of day-to-day practice and consider how optometry might best continue to facilitate equitable and quality eye care in the future.

I’d read about trailblazing optometrists in the US and was inspired by their determination to bring about change for the benefit of patients. So, I applied to research the expanded scope of practice of our US counterparts, analysing if and how it could apply to Australia’s optometry landscape.

Changes to scopes of practice in optometry are accelerating around the world, so I hope that my research offers OA members greater insight into different avenues for expansion of scope, the implications for patient care, and a path forward to achieve this.

What role do scholarships such as LOOK play in investing in women and accelerating progress in optometry?

Scholarships such as LOOK offer optometrists the chance to harness a particular professional passion or to adjust career direction. This can help women unleash their motivation to move forward professionally. Of course, both sexes can benefit in this way but sometimes women need that little bit of extra encouragement to explore new ideas, which in turn have the potential to accelerate progress. I found OA’s support via the LOOK scholarship to be invaluable during difficult COVID times. It encouraged me to nurture new skills which I now implement almost daily.

Who else has invested in you to date in your career/life and how?

I have been truly privileged in my life and education. My mum is a strong woman, I have three wonderful sisters, and had teachers who believed that women could do anything they put their mind to (I wasn’t allowed to play rugby league though, much to my disappointment). My soon-to-be wife Orani is endlessly supportive of my overactive mind, which overflows with ideas, some of which are more plausible than others!

My first employer within optometry, Simon Watson, was a wonderful mentor. He helped me with difficult cases, gave advice on how I could better communicate, and shared his own tricky cases with me. The amazing thing about optometry is how well we all work together to improve the eye health of our patients.

Who were your female mentors and how did their investment build capabilities or strengthen your capacity to learn or lead?

There are some incredible women in Australian optometry! Heidi Hunter, ONSW/ACT President and director of Custom Eyecare Newcastle never ceases to amaze me with her boundless energy and determination. Celia Bloxsom of Eyeconic Queensland always inspires me with her knowledge and kind nature. Fiona Moore, OQNT President and director of Moore Eyes in Rockhampton and Nancy Atkinson of Toowong Optometrists are all women of integrity and drive. Renee Triana (a colleague from my days at Bailey Nelson) and Kylie Killoran (currently my colleague at Taylor Eyewear) made/make me laugh every single day at work. Sarah Davies, my OA team leader is an incredible policy and advocacy champion for the profession, inspiring me to think in new ways.

How did/does mentoring make a difference to your career or life?

All of us, regardless of gender, need people to support any challenges we face in our life or career. Those who have supported me have done so through listening to my uncertainties in times of change, encouraging me to face challenges, and strengthening my resolve. I have such an incredibly happy life due to the support and love of those around me because of their enriching perspectives and the way in which they embrace the person I am.

What do you think are the main obstacles female optometrists face in progressing their careers?

Optometry Australia’s #BreakTheBias report noted that ‘15% of respondents experienced physical abuse in the workplace, and that female optometrists have widely reported feeling unsafe in the consult room’. I have experienced this, as well as countless moments of incidental sexism – thankfully never from other optometrists, who I have always found to be endlessly respectful.

I still have some patients who request to see a male optometrist. I proudly tell them that females make up more than half our profession, holding important leadership positions and driving groundbreaking research in Australian optometry.

The biggest challenge for me personally has been trying to balance my motivation for a varied and fulfilling career with my deep wish to be present for my daughters. It’s a juggling act!

Like many women, you are a busy person. How do you maintain balance or unwind? 

I love getting up early and going to the gym. I also find any opportunity to head to the beach with my fiancé, daughters and our stand-up paddle board!  I love listening to music too, it brings joy to my everyday life.

Read Nicola’s 2020 LOOK full research report here.

Applications for the 2025 LOOK scholarship are expected to open for OA members in August 2024.