Eye for detail and a musical talent

NEW VISION EYEWEAR OFFERS PATIENTS A UNIQUE OPTOMETRY EXPERIENCE

HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing, and 20/20 vision is even better. New Vision Eyewear owner and optometrist, Deborah Hackett, approaches her work with an eye for detail and a personalised approach to customer service.

Deborah spent much of her early career working as a locum optometrist in regional Victoria before purchasing the long-established, private practice, New Vision Eyewear, on Malop St in 2013, and consequently opening a second practice in Lara in 2015.

Her goal has been to continue providing the Geelong region with a high standard of eyecare in a friendly and welcoming environment, while offering a wide selection of quality frames and lens options to suit all ages and customer needs.

New Vision Eyewear boasts modern ocular imaging equipment and a staff that is constantly updating skills and knowledge with formal study and training. “I am very lucky to work with colleagues who are as passionate about their work as I am,” Deborah said.

Deborah enjoys the prob- lem solving aspect of her job that exposes her to interesting optical cases such as extremely asymmetric vision, double vision or simply a pair of glasses that is not functioning for the patient as it should.

She also likes to spend time getting to know her customers and their various hobbies and interests so that she can give them the best possible assessment and solutions — this can be the difference between good and optimal eyesight in whichever activity they may do, and helping people pursue their goals is one of Deborah’s favourite aspects of her job.

As a musician herself, Deborah knows just how important eyesight and eye health can be, and many of her clients are involved in Geelong choirs and orchestral groups.

Deborah holds a Bachelor of Music degree, a first class honours degree in Italian studies and recently attained her Licentiate of Music Diploma in piano. Her Masters degree in Optometry was based on a joint research project on glaucoma detection conducted in Italy, where she still goes on a regular basis for conferences and training to keep her skills up-to-date, in music, Italian and optometry.

Visitors to Deborah’s Geelong practice will notice a 180cm grand piano in the waiting area, where she will occasionally indulge her patients in a few strains of Bach or Brahms.

Last year she gave a spring piano recital in store on a Sun- day afternoon, which filled the shop with friends, colleagues and patients alike. “The piano is a great conversation starter, as so many people enjoy music in some form,” she said.

Realising that not everyone finds it easy to attend an eye test, Deborah provides house calls for elderly patients or those having difficulty with transport. She sees value in being able to provide patients of all ages and abilities with optometry services.

“We are not focused on churning through as many appointments as possible to drive sales,” she said. “Rather, New Vision Eyewear is a family- and community-focused business and from that I derive my job satisfaction.”

Deborah offers an unusual slant to her work by being able to conduct an eye test in Italian or Auslan. And while a deaf client would usually attend an eye examination with a medical interpreter, it is clearly unexpected to be able to chat with your optometrist in sign language and is characteristic of New Vision Eyewear’s ability to step outside the box for a unique and independent view.