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Take a peek at life as an optometrist
Meet Luke Farquhar, optometrist and owner of EyeQ Optometrists.
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Tell us about your career trajectory?
I grew up and completed all of my primary (Alfredton Primary School) and secondary (Ballarat High) schooling in Ballarat.
I then moved to Geelong to study my Bachelor of Vision Science and Masters of Optometry at Deakin, before moving back to Ballarat to work.
I recently opened my own practice in Shop 3, Coltman Plaza-Lucas.
What are your hobbies?
In my spare time I like to go fishing, camping and play football at Waubra Football Club
What does an average day at work look like?
Average workday involves seeing patients of all age groups with all kinds of eye complaints and conditions.
I have an interest in contact lens fitting and co-management of eye disease alongside GP’s and ophthalmologists.
At EyeQ we see everyone as a patient, not a customers with a person’s eye health our number one priority.
What attributes do you need to be successful in your profession?
To be successful I believe you need to be able to show compassion and empathy towards all patients, have the ability to listen to your patients’ needs and have an easy going personality to allow affective communication
What is your career highlight?
My career highlight would be opening my own practice in my hometown.
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Brushing up on healthy habits
Dental Health Week takes place from August 6 to 12 and is the Australian Dental Association’s major annual oral health promotion event.
Their new campaign, entitled ‘Watch Your Mouth’ promotes some key dental health messages including the importance of:
• Brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
• Cleaning in between teeth at least once a day with floss or an interdental brush
• Eating a healthy balance diet and limit sugar intake
• Regularly visiting the dentist for check-ups and preventive treatment.
The Australian Dental Association said only half of Australians brush their teeth once a day and 65 per cent of us haven’t seen a dentist in the past two years.
Although many of us are aware of the basics of keeping our mouth healthy, it’s important to remember other factors such as wearing a mouthguard when playing sport.
Each year, thousands of adults and children are treated for dental injuries that could have been prevented or minimised by simply wearing a mouthguard.
The Australian Dental Association strongly recommends the use of a mouthguard in any sport or activity where collision or contact is likely, and during both games and training.
Statistics show that nearly 40 per cent of Australians never floss or clean between their teeth. And 73 per cent of young people (14 -18 years) are consuming too much sugar. It’s clear that we could all be doing better when it comes to good oral health.