Lydia Thorne started studying optometry through the The University of Western Australia's School of Allied Health and was interested in practicing and living regionally but did not know how it would be different to working in a metropolitan area.

After learning about the impact optometry and vision can have on people along with the high demand for optometry in regional towns, Ms Thorne decided to join Luxottica as a cadet and committed to working for at least three years in a regional town as a graduate optometrist.

In her third year when she was able to go on rural placements, Ms Thorne saw and experienced the impact regional optometry can have on the community and began to develop an understanding of the difference between metro and regional practice.

Her placement at Karratha Eye Care, supported by the UWA’s Western Australian Centre for Rural Health, made clear the challenges that come with remote locations. Having to manage complex conditions with the support of Lions Outback Vision telehealth and waiting for monthly visits, shaped the optometrists into practitioners with great problem-solving skills and knowledge.

Talking to the patients while in Karratha and at other regional placements in Busselton and Darwin, Ms Thorne realised the beneficial impact local practices have on the community and the fulfilment the optometrists felt.

The impact and benefits of rural practice was confiramtion she had made the right decision two years earlier to work regionally, but Ms Thorne still hadn’t decided where she wanted to practice.

During university breaks Ms Thorne travelled to Western Australian towns. After visiting Albany and enjoying her time there, she researched ophthalmology and optometry in the town and found there was a good community of optometrists and two general ophthalmologists.

While Albany isn’t as remote as Karratha, Ms Thorne decided that it would be a good place to start her career and gain confidence as a newly graduated practitioner.

“Albany offers a balance that allows me to push myself to manage more complex patients and serve a regional community, while still having support around me in the early stages of my career,” Ms Thorne said.