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 equips students to become competent primary health-care practitioners. Apart from acquiring knowledge of ocular health in class, students perform eye examinations and manage eye diseases with the guidance of supervisors during clinical placements. The School regularly arranges local and international vision screenings for different target groups, such as the elderly, children and people with special needs. By participating in these activities and interacting with people from different backgrounds, I learned that a caring attitude and patience are essential qualities for an optometrist. I am glad that my occupation allows me to contribute to the community and help those in need.

The Optometry programme equipped me for the future by providing excellent opportunities to explore various career options. Besides gaining the knowledge and skill sets to become an optometrist, I developed a thorough understanding of the optometric field through clinical placements, attachments, overseas exchanges and studentship programmes. We may have regarded PolyU as a destination, but it is in fact a new start. My experience as a student assistant under the Summer Research studentship programme motivated me to enter the academic world as a postgraduate researcher. I am proud to be an optometrist and a junior vision researcher.

PolyU’s five-year Optometry programme not only gave me an in-depth knowledge of eye structures and diseases but also equipped me to become a competent eye care professional. My supervisors provided generous support and guidance throughout my studies and clinical placements. Studying optometry has instilled in me a sense of commitment to serving others. Today, I am able to identify, diagnose and treat my patients’ eye problems. It is satisfying to know that I can help people to see clearly again. After graduation, I secured a position as a resident optometrist at the PolyU Optometry Clinic where I will pursue new knowledge through continuous reflective practice. In the future, I hope to learn more about specialised contact lenses, such as orthokeratological lenses for myopia control in children and rigid lenses that improve vision in patients with irregular corneas. I hope to broaden my knowledge to better serve more people.

Studying optometry at university has equipped me with the expert knowledge and clinical skills to become a primary eye care provider. I have gained clinical experience, which has broadened my exposure to the optometry field. In addition to this local clinical training, I participated in exchange programmes with the University of Melbourne, the Tianjin Eye Hospital and the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre. My experiences during these exchange programmes have enriched my knowledge of the investigation, diagnosis and management of various eye-related problems. The Optometry programme not only shapes us to become competent professionals but also helps us to focus on social responsibility. Participating in vision screenings locally and internationally allowed me to connect with communities around the world by applying what I learned in the classroom to help people in need. Volunteering to conduct vision screenings in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Cambodia and Vietnam was extremely rewarding, as we performed various screening tests and prescribed glasses for patients. Every smile and ‘thank you’ warmed our hearts.

During my studies in the School of Optometry, I gained experience in the investigation, diagnosis and management of vision and eye diseases, particularly during clinical training in local and overseas clinics. I also gained a competitive edge by taking part in exchange programmes at the Zhongshan Ophthalmic Centre in mainland China and at the Queensland University of Technology in Australia, which broadened my global outlook. In addition to cultivating knowledge and skills, the School nurtures students to become socially responsible through active engagement in community projects in Hong Kong, rural areas in the Chinese mainland and developing countries. My participation in various vision screenings helped me realise the indispensable importance of the role of an optometrist in educating the public on the importance of vision and eye care. Optometrists are frontline vision care providers. If you are passionate about serving others and willing to face challenges, the School will support you in becoming a vision guardian!