Forfar optician's staff see studies through

Pictured are Specsavers’ newly-qualified staff members Karen Carle (left) and Jayne Smeaton.

Specsavers is celebrating Jayne Smeaton and Karen Carle who recently gained qualifications in IP Optometry and Dispensing Optometry respectively.

Jayne has worked at the town's shop since 2011 and started her career at as an optical assistant while training to become an optometrist.

She has now completed her independent prescribing course at Glasgow Caledonian University, successfully becoming an IP Optometrist.

Karen started her career in 2013, also in Forfar, as an optical assistant with no prior knowledge of optometry. Karen recently completed a dispensing optometrist course with Anglia Ruskin University. She was also awarded the Associated Optical award for receiving the highest mark in the Low Vision module.

Both women took part in blended learning, due to Covid, with some teaching going fully online during lockdown.

Laura Stallerbrass, dispensing optician director, said: “Both started with us, with no prior optometry experience. This just goes to show that we are constantly investing in our staff and are always encouraging them to further their skills.”