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Lauren is a Newcastle local who first started working with us in 2012, as our bright-eyed 18 year-old receptionist in her gap year before heading away to uni to study Optometry. After being away at Deakin University in Geelong she returned for 6 months in 2015 to complete her final clinical placement before graduating. After graduating in 2016, Lauren spent the next 7 years working in a well respected independent practice in Muswellbrook which she thoroughly enjoyed. Over that time she got married, and welcomed her first child into the world. She moved home to Newcastle a year ago (we've only been waiting for her to live locally for 10 years!!) and we're so happy to have her as part of our team again. Lauren's favourite part of being an Optometrist is making peoples lives a little better or easier, simply by improving their vision.

Rishmie is a highly experienced optometrist, nearing a decade since graduation. Originally from Sydney, Rishmie moved to Newcastle in 2016 and settled down with her partner and gorgeous border collie puppy. She has been a volunteer optometrist for primary school vision screenings, the Hunter Homeless Connect, and charity outreach programs in regional Australia. Rishmie is an ophthalmic medicines prescriber, meaning she has advanced skills in diagnosing and managing various eye diseases. If you have any visual symptoms like blurred vision, you have macular degeneration, glaucoma, or a family history of eye disease, or are concerned about your child's worsening eyesight, then Rishmie is the optometrist you should meet. Rishmie's professional interests include paediatric (children's) and behavioural optometry, including treatment of lazy eye (amblyopia) and accommodative esotropia ('cross-eyes'), as well as how vision problems can relate to learning difficulties but of course sees patients of all ages at Custom EyeCare. Throughout her career, Rishmie has always enjoyed looking after people to ensure their visual needs are met. After graduating Optometry at UNSW, Rishmie went on to complete further professional study with a Certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses. Rishmie’s passion is contact lens fitting, especially to those who’ve had no confidence to try contacts in the past. She has experience in designing custom contact lenses for managing myopia, keratoconus, corneal grafts and other corneal conditions. Besides being a highly qualified Optometrist, Rishmie is also a certified optical dispenser and is able to assist with all of your glasses fitting and adjustment needs. Click to make an appointment with Rishmie.

Heidi is a true Novocastrian, having grown up in Lake Macquarie before moving to Sydney for university in 1996 and graduating from UNSW in 2000. Before joining the practice she spent time consulting with a local ophthalmologist, a laser refractive surgery clinic, and many optometric practices in the Newcastle region. As well as looking after patients, she lectures about eyes and vision to university students, school teachers, GPs, nurses, and pharmacists. She is a clinical supervisor of optometry students for Flinders University, Deakin University, and the University of NSW, and a past writer for Mivision and optometric speaker on ABC radio. Amidst raising two active teenage boys, Heidi is on the national board of the not-for-profit Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia and a NSW/ACT board member of Optometry Australia. She is dedicated to educating colleagues on RGP (rigid gas permeable) custom contact lens fitting, such as for keratoconus and corneal grafts, and has lectured at conferences throughout Australia on various clinical topics. Heidi’s professional interests include myopia control, and anything and everything to do with contact lenses. Heidi also enjoys the challenge of solving problems people are having with their existing glasses, including multifocals (progressives).

Wes is a highly qualified optometrist with exceptional patient care, clinical knowledge and an all round nice guy. Originally from Adelaide, Wes first worked with Custom Eyecare in 2018. Anyone who has met Wes will already know he is great with kids and adults, and sees patients of all ages at Custom EyeCare. Wes is also our resident dry eye guru at Custom Eyecare for those suffering with dry, sore eyes. Sadly, in June 2023 Wes relocated back to Adelaide. The good news is: he is still returning to Newcastle every few months, so you can still find appointments available with Wes. Wes is a member of Optometry Australia, the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists (ACBO) the Cornea & Contact Lens Society (CCLSA), and the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania (OSO). When you see Wes you are guaranteed a good chat and a thorough eye and vision check. Click to make an appointment with Wes. Or call the practice and find out the dates of his next trip to Newcastle and we can make you an appointment.

Steph is an experienced Optometrist and has recently joined our team. Originally from Sydney, Steph moved to Newcastle in 2021 where she fell in love with the change of pace and lifestyle.  Over the years, Steph has found her passion in building relationships with her patients while troubleshooting all ranges of eye problems from red eyes, focusing and blur issues, to managing complex eye conditions after surgeries, trauma and paediatrics. She is also therapeutically qualified and has completed an Advanced Certificate in Children’s Vision. Steph loves hanging out with her partner, friends and her adorable shetland sheepdog Evie. You may even find Steph at Newcastle Beach playing volleyball! When you see Steph you are guaranteed a good chat and a thorough eye and vision check.