Meet the team – Bobby (Sarvat) Fida, Optical Lead
27 April 2022
Bobby sums up how she came to work in optometry succinctly “by accident” she laughs, “I was due to start BA (Hons) in Law at Sheffield when I bumped into someone, I went to school with many years ago. We chatted about what we were up to – he had just been rejected to study Optometry. I didn’t have a clue what he was talking about but after a little research and a chat with my own Optometrist the seed was planted…”
Bobby started her law course but quickly found herself coming to the conclusion that optometry was what she wanted to pursue “I very soon hated the ambiguity and all the grey (of law). Having done science A-Levels I needed a tick or a cross not a debate or discussion.”
In an era of no tuition fees she continued to study law for a year but with her mind made up, the following year she switched to study optometry at Bradford University. Looking back on that year of law she reflects: “little did I know then, that some of the skills I was learning would be useful many years later both in my Optical Lead role and as a Fitness to Practice Hearings panel member.”
Qualified for nearly 22 years, Bobby says she’s only ever had 2 job interviews “all the roles I have had, I seem to have fallen into by word of mouth or recommendation”. Her first job after qualifying was with a major retailer, but she continued working part time at Leeds Teaching Hospital and then a year later supervised final years clinics at Bradford University whilst juggling working in practice.
Bobby joined the newly opened Asda Opticians in 2002 part time, using her 5th day to work at a local independent for a few years. But then came along one of her more unique professional challenges covering an Optometrist’s maternity leave at Wakefield Prison – one of the highest security prisons in the country! She says “no one session was the same! There were times when I had to examine inmates surrounded by 8 or 9 guards in the cell at the same time!”
Born and bred in Yorkshire, it was never her plan to remain there but the course at Bradford and Pre-Reg at Leeds Teaching Hospital meant her professional roots embedded themselves. Looking back, she recalls her first pre-reg day as a nervous student, when she was told to shadow an ophthalmologist “The Ophthalmologist was already in the middle of examining a patient. He pulled away and without any build up told me to look at the patient’s right eye through the specialist equipment.” she continues “I described what I could see and admitted that I was struggling to understand how picture perfect the eye seemed to look. I was horrified when both the ophthalmologist and patient laughed. The ophthalmologist had taught me a valuable lesson – to always look at the whole picture and never home in one thing. I had spent precious minutes examining an artificial/prosthetic eye!”
Nowadays Bobby works for Asda Opticians 3 days, and LOCSU 2 days, each week. She also takes time out to fulfil her Fitness to Practice hearings duties for the GOC. She says LOCs have played a big role throughout her career “I started attending my LOC events quite early on in my career mainly to keep my knowledge up to date as they delivered great CET, usually from local people. The LOC numbers were dwindling and each time I noticed fewer and fewer people getting involved so I joined to help boost numbers – then never left!”
With such an active and varied career Bobby says it’s the people she meets that give her most enjoyment “Every week I hear something that tickles me. From the lady who thought her tears smelt “funny” to the patient who spread out on the testing room floor to demonstrate how he reads in bed…. people are so unpredictable and unique! I love that in those few precious moments during an eye examination, I get an insight into their lives and an opportunity to help them.”
Away from work Bobby enjoys walking, photography and when the opportunity arises visiting museums and galleries. But she admits her home life keeps her fairly busy: “I live with my daughter who is also thankfully my best friend. I therefore am an alarm clock, chef, cleaner, taxi, counsellor all rolled into one! She continues “I have lone parented my daughter since she was 15 months old so home is just me and her. I have friends and family close by that help out so I feel very lucky.”
Bobby’s latest role is with LOCSU as an optical lead “It’s a role that involves growth and development, so I think, I’m on a journey with a great team who help smooth out the bumps. I will never know everything and it’s challenging and stimulating enough to keep the grey matter busy!”
Whatever comes her way in the future Bobby says her inspiration and drive will always come from home and her daughter. “Despite living with a disability and being so young, she has achieved so many successes through sheer determination and hard work. She has taught me that there is no such thing as no – you just have to find a different way to get a yes.”