In focus: Women retain ‘strong presence’ in eye care

For the month of International Women’s Day (March 8), Optician has collated the views of female eye care professionals on how to empower and retain women in the industry, especially at leadership levels, and the importance of having female clinicians to treat female patients in vulnerable communities globally.

Optometry Scotland chair and optometrist for Black & Lizars, Eilidh Thomson (pictured right), said that while there is a strong female presence in Scotland’s optometry workforce, with a higher percentage of female student optometrists than male: ‘Women are under-represented in practice ownership and decision-making roles at a national level. Addressing this requires continued efforts to support career progression and leadership opportunities.