The OT Podcast

In episode 18 of The OT Podcast, we speak to University of Bradford academic, Dr Lindsay Rountree. Optometrist and academic, Lindsay, studied optometry at the University of Cardiff, graduating in 2007. After working in practice for a few years, she returned to education to compete a PhD. Today, she is a lecturer at the University of Bradford and is programme lead for the school’s Master’s programme in optometry.

In the sixteenth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to ophthalmologist and co-founder of Ocumetra, Professor Ian Flitcroft, about his research hobby becoming his main focus, his love of analogies, and writing fiction 

In the fifteenth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to ophthalmologist Sunil Mamtora about his appreciation for the slit lamp, investigating artificial intelligence, and working with community optometry.

In episode 14 of The OT Podcast, we speak to Professor Bruce Evans, visiting professor at City St George’s, and London South Bank University. For 25 years, Bruce owned his own independent house practice in Essex, Cole Martin Tregaskis Optometrists, and for 15 years balanced this with the role of director of research at the Institute of Optometry.

In episode 13 of The OT Podcast, we speak to Professor Russell Foster, a professor of circadian neuroscience who in 2015 received a CBE in recognition of his services to science. We talk to Russell about the importance of research and what there is still to understand about sleep.

In episode 12 of The OT Podcast, we speak to consultant, Allon Barsam. We talk to Allon about his career as an ophthalmologist; from the moment of clarity that set him on the pathway to ophthalmology, to his decisions on sub-specialities over the years.

In episode 11 of The OT Podcast, we speak to CEO of Hakim Group, Imran Hakim. We talk to Imran about his career as an optometrist, inventor and serial entrepreneur, and find out about his journey to establishing the fastest growing family of independent optometry practices in the UK and Ireland.

In episode 10 of The OT Podcast, we speak to director of the Centre for Ocular Research and Education (CORE) at the University of Waterloo, Professor Lyndon Jones. We talk about Jones’ career path from DJing to optometry – a journey that has seen him travel almost 3500 miles from his hometown Cwmbran, Wales, making pitstops in Cardiff, London and Birmingham, before settling in Ontario, Canada.  

In episode nine of The OT Podcast, we speak to Dame Mary Perkins about her career in optics and the founding of Specsavers, as it marks its 40th anniversary this year.

Optometrist and owner of BBR Optometry, Nick Rumney, talks about education with The OT Podcast hosts, Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes.

In the seventh episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist, entrepreneur and leadership coach, Peter Greedy

In the sixth episode of The OT Podcast, we speak to optometrist and head of eye care and vision at SeeAbility, Lisa Donaldson, about how people with learning disabilities can access good quality eye care.

Our hosts, OT’s Dr Ian Beasley and Ceri Smith-Jaynes, delve into the career of Scottish IP optometrist and practice owner, Ian Cameron, who shares insight into his passion for learning, professional variety and knowledge sharing. Cameron has been managing the award-winning Cameron Optometry in Edinburgh since 2011, when he took over the family business from his father. In 2022 the practice joined Hakim Group.