Studying optometry at PolyU is fruitful and rewarding. The School offers a wide variety of courses and activities for students to enrich their knowledge, explore their interests and potential, and develop their interpersonal skills. Comprehensive theoretical courses, practical sessions and extensive clinical placement equip students with professional knowledge and skills. In addition, the School organises vision screening sessions that target different age groups and backgrounds to inspire the students to give back to society. The well-structured curriculum nurtures students to become competent, caring and responsible primary eye care providers. Throughout our learning journey, supportive professors, supervisors and senior students are very willing to offer guidance and share their learning experiences with us. I had an enjoyable time studying at PolyU and I am ready to apply what I have learned to provide high-quality optometric care to the community. I would like to thank the School for providing me with these invaluable learning experiences and preparing me for my future career.

The Optometry programme at PolyU empowers its graduates to become competent optometrists by providing comprehensive knowledge of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the optometry field. Through attending supervised clinical placements, students can diagnose and manage various ocular conditions in patients from diverse backgrounds while learning from different clinical supervisors. In addition to acquiring knowledge related to optometry, I could participate in regular vision screenings organised by the School, which not only allowed me to serve the community with my knowledge but also provided valuable experiences essential for my professional growth. I am grateful for all these opportunities during my five-year study because they have shaped me into an independent practitioner. I will cherish and carry every memory from my time at PolyU into the next chapter of my life. I will continue to work with utmost effort to meet the best interests of my patients.

The Optometry programme has equipped students to become competent primary healthcare practitioners. Apart from acquiring knowledge about ocular health in class, with the guidance of supervisors, students also performed eye examinations and managed eye diseases during clinical placements. The School regularly arranged local and overseas vision screenings for different target groups, for example, people with special needs, elderlies and children. By participating in these activities and interacting with people from different backgrounds, I have learned that caring and patience are essential qualities to possess as an optometrist. My journey at PolyU has been fulfilling; I am glad that my occupation allows me to contribute to the community and help those in need continually.

We might once regard University as the destination, but rather, it is another new start. The Optometry Programme equipped us for the future by providing excellent opportunities to explore various career options. Besides gaining the knowledge and skillsets to be optometrists, we also developed a thorough understanding of the optometric field through clinical placements, attachments, overseas exchanges, and studentship programmes. With all of these, we were confident to take our best-suited paths after graduation. The delightful experience as a student assistant under the Summer Research Studentship has motivated me to enter the academic world as a research postgraduate. I am proud to be an optometrist and a junior vision researcher.

The Optometry programme not only shaped us to become professional and competent, but also focused on our social responsibility. Participating in local and overseas vision screenings allowed me to connect to the community and the world by applying what I had learnt in the classroom to help people in need. Volunteering to conduct vision screenings in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Cambodia and Vietnam was remarkably rewarding. We performed different screening tests and prescribed glasses for patients. Every smile and “thank you” was heartwarming. With a passion and drive to serve the community, I enjoy every moment of my work as an optometrist.