Rebecca Watt
Plymouth,Devon
Summary
Experienced and dedicated Principal Contact Lens Optician with extensive experience in specialist contact lens practice, complex dispensing and autonomous clinic management within hospital, educational and community settings. Skilled in fitting and managing a wide range of contact lenses including soft, multifocal, RGP, scleral and therapeutic lenses, with particular experience in complex corneal conditions and irregular corneas.
Experienced in running specialist clinics including low vision, ectasia monitoring and “See and Treat” cataract services, while also supervising, mentoring and assessing students and junior colleagues. Experienced examiner for student contact lens opticians, supporting professional development and maintaining high clinical and educational standards.
A patient-focused and approachable clinician with excellent communication skills, strong clinical judgement and the ability to build trust and rapport with patients from diverse backgrounds. Highly organised, adaptable and committed to delivering high standards of patient care within multidisciplinary clinical environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
Work history
Locum Contact lens Optician
Specsavers Opticians
Plymouth
2019.07 - Current
- Provide independent contact lens fitting and aftercare services across a variety of clinical and retail settings.
- Fit and assess a wide range of contact lenses including soft spherical, toric, multifocal and rigid gas permeable lenses.
- Conduct full anterior eye health assessments to ensure suitability and ongoing safety of contact lens wear.
- Assess patients’ visual and lifestyle requirements to recommend the most appropriate contact lens type and wearing modality.
- Support patients with lens selection, insertion and removal training, lens care and compliance education.
- Monitor contact lens performance, comfort and ocular health, making appropriate clinical adjustments where required.
- Manage routine and complex contact lens cases while maintaining high standards of patient care and clinical record keeping.
- Work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and adapt quickly to different practice environments and clinical systems.
Principal Contact lens Optician
University Hospital, Plymouth
Plymouth, Devon
2013.10 - Current
- Independently manage specialist contact lens clinics, providing advanced fitting and aftercare for soft contact lenses, rigid gas permeable , scleral and therapeutic contact lenses.
- Assess, fit and monitor complex contact lens patients, including irregular corneas, keratoconus and ocular surface disease.
- Deliver specialist therapeutic lens fitting to support ocular health, post-surgical rehabilitation and corneal protection.
- Run autonomous clinics with responsibility for clinical decision-making, patient management and continuity of care.
- Supervise, mentor and support student contact lens opticians and junior staff within clinic settings.
- Conduct ectasia monitoring clinics, including assessment and progression monitoring for keratoconus and related corneal conditions.
- Lead low vision clinics, providing assessment, advice and optical solutions to maximise patients’ functional vision and independence.
- Run “See and Treat” cataract clinics, assessing patients, identifying cataract-related visual impairment and facilitating onward referral pathways where appropriate.
- Provide detailed patient education on contact lens handling, compliance, ocular health and long-term management plans.
- Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams including ophthalmologists, optometrists and wider clinical staff to ensure high standards of patient care.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure adherence to professional, regulatory and infection control standards.
- Manage high-volume clinics cataract clinics while maintaining excellent patient care and clinical outcomes.
- Dispense and fit spectacles for a wide range of patients, including complex prescriptions and specialist lens requirements.
- Provide tailored dispensing solutions for patients with high prescriptions, facial asymmetry and complex facial characteristics to ensure optimal fit, comfort and visual performance.
- Advise patients on appropriate lens designs, coatings, frame selection and visual aids to meet both clinical and lifestyle needs.
Education
Cataract Module -
University of Plymouth
Plymouth 2025.01 - 2025.06
Medical Retina -
Aston University
Birmingham 2021.09 - 2022.06
Diploma of Higher Education - Leadership and management
CMI/ABDO
2020.08 - 2021.07
Diploma of Higher Education - Contact lens Practice
ABDO
2016.09 - 2018.07
Diploma of Higher Education - Dispensing Optician
ABDO
2007.09 - 2010.06
Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Strong clinical decision-making and autonomous clinic management
- Patient, empathetic and patient-centred approach to care
- Problem solving and management of complex patient cases
- Time management and ability to manage high-volume clinics
- Infection prevention and control compliance
- Adaptable across hospital, community and locum settings
Affiliations
- Keen interest in health, fitness and maintaining an active lifestyle Regularly enjoy walking and outdoor activities to support wellbeing and work-life balance Strong interest in continuous learning and personal development
Timeline
Cataract Module -
University of Plymouth
2025.01 - 2025.06
Medical Retina -
Aston University
2021.09 - 2022.06
Diploma of Higher Education - Leadership and management
CMI/ABDO
2020.08 - 2021.07
Locum Contact lens Optician
Specsavers Opticians
2019.07 - Current
Diploma of Higher Education - Contact lens Practice
ABDO
2016.09 - 2018.07
Principal Contact lens Optician
University Hospital, Plymouth
2013.10 - Current
Diploma of Higher Education - Dispensing Optician
ABDO
2007.09 - 2010.06