Meet Beth! Resident optometrist at Ollie Quinn's Brighton boutique. We sat down with Beth to find out what makes her tick, and to chat the importance of eye-care.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself!
I'm Bethany, you can find me taking care of the eye balls of the Brighton community as well as hanging out with my team of lovely staff at OQ Brighton. I have been in Optics for over 10 years, having graduated with a BSc in Optometry from the University of Manchester.
2. Why is eyecare important?
'The eyes are the key to the soul' isn't necessarily my mantra but it does carry some truth.... so many eye health and general health issues can be detected during an ocular assessment, which many people forget to have if their vision is good. An eye check every 2 years (or more regularly if you are diabetic or have any existing conditions) is the best way to ensure healthy eyes and happy people!
3. What are the three most important things you want people to know about eyecare?
1. Having an eye test isn't just a prescription check, it's an eye health check too.
2. Don't ignore headaches... they might be a simple eye strain issue easily solved with a pair of specs or could be linked to undiagnosed health problems. Having an eye test is often the first step to working out the cause and treating the problem, which can be life changing.
3. Don't worry about getting a question wrong during a vision check, it isn't supposed to be a test. We can work out your prescription without you saying a word if necessary, so just relax and leave the hard part to us!
4. What do you do outside of optometry?
I like a beer and a gig, tending to my plants, the odd swim on Brighton beach (really I'm just perusing puppies) and dabbling in the art of spectacle design!
5. How do you feel about pineapple on pizza?
If given the option I would add pineapple to most things.
6. Funniest moment you have encountered during an eye test?
The collective moments when 90 year old residents of Ringwood, Hampshire failed to understand my accent during an eye test. I stand by this being the reason I now only have a 'subtle scouse twang'!