Shahnaz Rind is a Yamatji, Badimia from Western Australia and chose to study UWA’s Doctor of Optometry to help bridge the gap in eye care that she observed in her community, and the wider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia.
“Through my experience as a nurse and conversations with my community, family, and friends, I realised there was a significant lack of awareness about eye health and the importance of regular eye exams.”
This insight prompted Shahnaz to research further into Indigenous eye health care. Through her research, she discovered how underrepresented Indigenous optometrists are in Australia.
“To close the gap in eye health, we need more Indigenous optometrists who can provide care through a culturally informed and safe approach. This will ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people receive the quality eye health care deserved.”
Shahnaz saw studying optometry as an opportunity to help close the gap in Indigenous eye health care and support her community.
After a conversation with a member of the UWA Optometry division, Shahnaz decided to enrol in the Doctor of Optometry program at UWA.
What made the course more appealing was that unlike other optometry courses, UWA’s course was three years, not four, meaning that Shahnaz could start making a difference sooner.
While the course has at times been challenging, Shahnaz has also found it incredibly interesting and rewarding.
"Many people think optometry is only about prescribing glasses, but it goes far beyond that. It involves comprehensive eye care, examining the entire eye structure, and its connection to the whole body and nervous system. There's always something new to learn, which makes it incredibly fascinating for me."
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As well as the interesting course content, Shahnaz has also enjoyed the opportunity to undertake work placements.
“I've been able to go out to Lions Eye Institute to do my placement and other places, like Specsavers.
Watching the optometrists at work at Specsavers was so interesting, I haven't had the opportunity to do that before.
While working in Arnhem Land, I was doing more community-based work so seeing the approach to clinic-based work was very different.”
Shahnaz explains that community-based care, is holistic and not just about the individual person, but about their family. What's happening in the family, how can professionals take care of the whole community.
“Patient education and appropriate communication is the top priority when engaging with communities—ensuring that community members understand eye health, know how to protect their vision, and that parents are attentive to their children’s eye health as well.”
So, what is Shahnaz’s goal upon graduating?
“I hope to return to my community to contribute, working to ensure my people receive the health care our community deserves.”
Find out more about studying the Doctor of Optometry at UWA.
