Liz Shilling, known professionally as Liz Tomlin, was the first orthoptist to become a Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, in the Company’s 400 year history.
Tomlin studied orthoptics at Moorfields Eye Hospital, joining London’s St Thomas’ Hospital in 1992, where she’s worked ever since.
For the past 25 years she worked in the role of Head Orthoptist and Eye Team Lead for the Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Tomlin said that a key theme for her year would be harnessing the power of the multi-disciplinary team and its knowledge.
‘We have a challenging period ahead in the NHS where we have to re-think care. Teamwork will be critical. Eye health care has to embrace all parts of the optical family, including AI as the newest team member,’ she said.
‘The role of Master gives me an opportunity to meet people from every aspect of vision care and sight loss; and to talk to influencers in the City of London about the importance of access to eye health care.’
Tomlin was joined by Upper Warden, optometrist Mike Harris and Renter Warden, dispensing optician Fiona Anderson.
In her role, she can also call on the experience of ophthalmologists, business professionals, charity CEOs and scientists within the governing Court of the Company.