Book with GMHBA Eye Care – Waurn Ponds

.Zara completed her Bachelor of Vision science and Master of Optometry in 2018 and has worked in rural Victoria for most of her practicing career. She enjoys all aspects of optometry but decided to move back to her home town to be closer to family and friends. She has had a wide range of exposure and experience co-managing all eye conditions throughout her career. She is a big Geelong Cats football team supporter but will accepts supporters of other teams as her patients ? Her special areas of interest include: Paediatric, Orthokertology fitting (including Toric orthoK), Myopia control, Glaucoma, Macular diseases, Civil aviation safety authority (CASA) Testing. Zara loves to spend time with her Dog meshki and adventuring around Australia and abroad.

Alice completed her Optometry Masters/Bachelor of Vision Science at Deakin University in 2016. Alice has been a part of the GMHBA team since 2018 and has a broad interest in all aspects of optometry.

Phoebe completed a Bachelor of Science at University of Melbourne in 2007. She is a keen athlete, having spent time training and racing with the Australian Rowing Team throughout her studies. The pinnacle of her career being selected for the London Olympic Team in 2012. Upon her return to academics she completed the Doctor of Optometry at University of Melbourne in 2015. Phoebe spent a number of years working in Melbourne before moving back to Geelong to be closer to family and joining GMHBA Eye Care. Phoebe enjoys practicing all aspects of optometry, however, has a special interest in dry eye disease, paediatrics and myopia control.

Asmaa completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Melbourne in 2019. Her passion for optometry began after taking a visual neuroscience unit during her neuroscience major. She remembers being amazed by the complexity of the eye and its connection to systemic health. This intrigue inspired her to study and complete her Bachelor of Vision Science/Masters in Optometry, at Deakin University. Asmaa enjoys all aspects of optometry and has a particular interest in hard contact lenses and myopia control. Outside of work, Asmaa enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves travelling, getting açai by the beach, and watching AFL & soccer games.

Lucy completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Western Australia in 2011 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2015 before joining GMHBA Eye Care the same year. Lucy completed a Graduate Certificate of Higher Education in Learning and Teaching in 2019 and is a lecturer at Deakin University. Areas of interest: • Anterior eye and therapeutics • Dry eye management • Glaucoma • Preventative eye care Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time outdoors with family, skiing and hiking.

Prior to Natalie’s optometry career she earned a Bachelor of Biomedical Science with a Major in Biotechnology from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Science with Honours from the University of Melbourne. Natalie started her PhD however she changed professions and finished her Optometry Masters/Bachelor of Vision Science in 2016 at Deakin University. Prior to joining GMHBA Eye Care, Natalie has spent her professional career working in regional Victoria. In order to assist her patients find the best solution for their visual problems and ocular health needs, Natalie builds a compassionate and trusted relationship with them. This allows Natalie to enjoy all facets of optometry. Natalie enjoys spending time in the outdoors and time with her dog.

Alannah completed a Bachelor of Science at Melbourne University in 2012 and a Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2016 before joining GMHBA in 2017. Alannah enjoys all aspects of general optometry, with a strong focus on eye diseases like glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy. Areas of interest: • Glaucoma • Diabetic retinopathy

Andrew graduated from Melbourne University in 2010 and has experience working in a number of locations across Melbourne and Geelong. He has enjoyed the work-life balance that has come from his move to the Geelong region from Melbourne in late 2020. He enjoys the variety that comes from practising all aspects of optometry but is particularly interested in contact lenses, myopia control, and therapeutics. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his infant daughter.

Dan graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce/Science from Monash University in 2008 and a Bachelor of Vision Science/Master of Optometry from Deakin University in 2015. Dan joined GMHBA as an Optometrist in 2015, continuing his family’s long history in the profession. He currently balances the role of Optometrist with responsibilities as the Location Manager at GMHBA Waurn Ponds. Areas of interest: • Children’s vision • Myopia management (including Orthokeratology) • Dry eye management Outside of work, Daniel is a life-long Tigers fan (his father a 1980 premiership player) and enjoys spending time with family, including his three kids and Border Collie.

Tobi completed a Doctor of Optometry (O.D.) at Melbourne University in 2014, after earning a Bachelor of Biomedicine in 2010. Tobi has diverse experience working across Victoria and Tasmania prior to joining GMHBA in 2017. Tobi is a credentialed optometrist for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) and serves as primary supervisor of optometry students on clinical placement at GMHBA. Areas of interest: • Dry eye disease • Paediatrics • Sports vision Outside of work, Tobi enjoys baseball, music, and spending time with family. Tobi speaks English and Japanese.

Amanda graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry from the University of Melbourne in 1997 and completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics with the Australian College of Optometry (ACO) in 2019. Amanda owned a multi-site optometry private practice before joining GMHBA at its inception in 2015 and currently manages the team of Optometrists. Areas of interest: • Disposable contact lenses • Preventative eye care • OCT technology for diagnosis and management Outside of work, Amanda is often found on the sidelines at junior footy and basketball. She is an Essendon AFL fan who enjoys the social element of sport and how it can bring friends and family together.

Natasha completed a Bachelor of Science at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 before going on to complete a Bachelor of Optometry in 2003 and Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2013. Natasha has worked in practices across South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, gaining experience across diverse patient demographics and ages to complement her clinical learning. Natasha joined GMHBA in 2019 where she continues to provide eye care and thoroughly enjoys building patient report. Areas of interest: • Diabetic eye health assessments • Glaucoma • Macular pathology • Myopia control Outside of work, Natasha enjoys spending time with family and friends. She has a keen interest in golf and appreciates outdoor activities. Natasha speaks English and Afrikaans.

Tara graduated with a Bachelor of Psychology at Deakin University in 2017 before completing a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry at Deakin University in 2021. Tara furthered her expertise by completing a Dry Eye Disease Diagnosis and Management short course at UNSW in 2023 before joining GMHBA in 2024. Areas of interest: • Dry eye disease diagnosis and management • Building strong, trusting relationships with patients Outside of work, Tara enjoys teaching piano to kids, baking and spending time with loved ones. Tara speaks English, Serbian, Croatian and Bosnian.

Sarah graduated with a Bachelor of Optometry with Honours from UNSW in 2002 and completed a Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2023. Sarah has lived and worked in the Geelong region since her graduation and has been part of GMHBA Eye Care since its inception in 2015. Areas of interest: • Caring for patients and providing tailored advice • Building strong relationships with patients • Offering comprehensive eye care Outside of work, Sarah enjoys reading on the beach, playing card games, cheering at the footy, and wrangling her teenage children and cats.