Local optometrist Hayley Birch has lived in Torquay all her life and loves caring for the eyes of her community.<\/p>\n
Graduating amongst the inaugural optometry cohort from Deakin University\u2019s Waurn Ponds campus, Hayley enjoys providing eye care to residents, family and friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve recently taken up CrossFit which has been challenging, but good fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn my down time, I enjoy a cuppa with friends, family and my cats.\u201d<\/p>\n
She has also returned to her alma mater, teaching clinical skills to Deakin optometry students two days a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeyond prescribing glasses, I regularly remove foreign bodies from tradesmen\u2019s eyes, prescribe antibiotic eye drops to manage infections, and care for diabetic patients collaboratively with local GPs, she said.<\/p>\n
Hayley particularly enjoys helping children with their vision, having performed school screening eye checks in the past.<\/p>\n
During these school screenings, she typically finds about one in five children requiring assistance.<\/p>\n
Hayley recommends that children have an eye check before Prep, in Year 6, and Year 11-12 as these are the times when children\u2019s eyes can change the most.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a practitioner at OPSM Waurn Ponds is fantastic,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can practice the full scope of my profession, with state-of-the-art equipment.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love that we as a team are constantly developing together and enhancing the personalised examinations we provide to every one of our patients.\u201d<\/p>\n
OPSM Waurn Ponds is located in the Waurn Ponds Shopping Centre.<\/p>\n
Eye checks are available every day. Phone 5243 9288 or book online at opsm.com.au.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Local optometrist Hayley Birch has lived in Torquay all her life and loves caring for the eyes of her community. Graduating amongst the inaugural optometry cohort from Deakin University\u2019s Waurn Ponds campus, Hayley enjoys providing eye care to residents, family and friends. \u201cI\u2019ve recently taken up CrossFit which has been challenging, but good fun,\u201d she […]<\/p>\n