Inspiring the Next Generation of Optometrists: Meet Haris Iqbal of the LOCSU Board
7 September 2026
Driven to educate and inspire the next generation of optometrists, Haris Iqbal joins the LOCSU Board with keen ambitions a wealth of experience.
Haris qualified as an optometrist around 20 years ago, opening an independent practice in one of the most deprived areas of Wolverhampton to give back to the local community.
He joined Wolverhampton LOC around 2019, where he served as treasurer until June this year, also working with Staffordshire LOC, and Birmingham LOC since 2022.
Haris now divides his time between several complementary roles. He serves as the director of Nvision Eyecare – an independent practice in the West Midlands – a hospital optometrist working in paediatric eye care, a clinical supervisor, a lecturer and as a member of Birmingham LOC.
He has an interest in dry eye disease, myopia, primary eye care pathways, education and innovation.
“I’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship, business, science, healthcare and working with people.” Haris said.
“Optometry appealed to me because it offered the rare opportunity to combine all of those interests in one career. Every day presents the chance to improve someone’s quality of life, whether that’s detecting sight-threatening disease, improving vision or simply providing reassurance when it’s needed most.
“I became involved with Wolverhampton LOC because I wanted to better understand how community eye care services were developed and how practitioners could work together to improve them.
“Serving as a Treasurer on the LOC has given me valuable experience in governance, collaboration and representing colleagues locally. It reinforced my belief that strong LOCs are fundamental to delivering high-quality patient care and strengthening primary care optometry.”
Joining the LOCSU Board marks the next chapter in Haris’s varied career. He hopes his role will offer the opportunity to ensure that the voice of primary care optometry continues to shape the future of eye care.
“I’ve always enjoyed embracing new opportunities and challenging myself to keep learning.” He said.
“I see joining the LOCSU Board as an opportunity to give something back to the profession that has given me so much over the past two decades.
“LOCSU’s events and forums gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone, and seeing the support LOCSU provides to LOCs across the country inspired me to become involved.
“I look forward to working with colleagues across England to support LOCs and strengthen primary care optometry. This is an exciting time for our profession, with significant opportunities to improve patient care, embrace innovation and develop new services.
“I’m particularly excited by the opportunity for community optometry to play an even greater role in delivering accessible, high-quality eye care and improving outcomes for patients. I hope to play a small part in helping our profession continue to evolve for the benefit of patients, practitioners and the wider NHS.”