When Lydia Thorne first started studying optometry through the School of Allied Health at The University of Western Australia, she was interested in practicing and living regionally but had little knowledge about how it would differ professionally to working in a metropolitan area.
After learning about the impact that optometry and vision can have upon individuals along with the high demand for optometry in regional towns, she decided to join Luxottica as a cadet and committed to at least 3 years of working in a regional town as a graduate optometrist.
It wasn’t until third year when she was able to go on rural placements that she saw and experienced the impact that regional optometry can have on the community and begin to develop an understanding of the difference between metro and regional practice.
Her placement at Karratha Eye Care, supported by the UWA’s Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, made clear the challenges that come with remote locations. Having to manage complex conditions with the support of Lions Outback Vision telehealth and waiting for monthly visits, shaped the optometrists into practitioners with great problem-solving skills and knowledge.
Talking to the patients while in Karratha and at other regional placements in Busselton and Darwin, she realised the beneficial impact that local practices have on the community and the consequent fulfilment felt by the optometrists.
The impact and benefits of rural practice affirmed for her that she had made the right decision two years earlier to work regionally, but she still hadn’t decided where she wanted to practice.
During university breaks Ms Thorne travelled to Western Australian towns. After visiting Albany and enjoying her time there, she researched the ophthalmology and optometry in the town. She found that there was a good community of optometrists and two general ophthalmologists in Albany.
Whilst Albany isn’t as remote as Karratha, Ms Thorne decided that it would be a good place to start her career and gain confidence as a newly graduated practitioner.
“Albany offers a balance that allows me to push myself to manage more complex patients and serve a regional community, while still having support around me in the early stages of my career,” says Ms Thorne.
Photo caption: UWA optometry graduate Lydia Thorne chooses to serve the community through a rural practice in Albany, Western Australia.