Loughborough optometrist David Austen died suddenly late last month.
Austen, who owned Austen Optometry in Loughborough was known to many in the profession for close on 30 years as a College of Optometrists examiner and long standing role as a councilor for the Association of Optometrists. Austen was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry and an Honorary Member of the AOP.
He will also be remembered for his belief in the practice of optometry over retailing, his expertise in punctum plugs and his presentations at clinical events. He was also known for writing letters to Optician when he felt the profession was being undermined or was under attack.
Paying tribute, Nigel Burnett Hodd said: ‘I have known David for most of my professional life. We served together on AOP Council for well over 20 years flying the flag for independent practice free from commercial interference and ownership. David disliked all aspects of selling Eyewear preferring to promote Eye care as the primary function before the necessary act of supplying the means to gain benefit from his advice. His clinical skills were legendry as an expert in Punctum plugs, complex contact lenses and out of the box treatments for eye conditions. He built a hugely successful practice now run by his son who no doubt will take it to a higher level of expertise in this high tech age.
David never stopped helping his colleagues to learn his skills and never stopped cajoling the powers that be to provide eye care to the public based on the vital screening provided by optometrists as the first stage in the process.
We shall miss his enthusiasm for our great profession and his determination to offer the very best eye care to all.