Eye Health Hero: Saima Ghufran

Saima Ghufran is a gold medalist graduate optometrist, teaching undergraduate optometrists for the last 10 years. Her passion for teaching makes her a change maker in her student’s lives. She has taught more than 300 optometry students in her professional career, who are working all over the country in the eye care sector. She not only guides her students in their theoretical and practical work but she is also a mentor in their career building, higher studies and research work. She takes them for their basics in theory in the first semester to high quality technical skills in their last semester. Her excellent clinical skills in refraction and low vision makes her the “most wanted teacher” among concerned semesters.

A mother of 4, Saima keeps her family and professional life balanced along with her own professional development. She has done Optometry Faculty Development Initiative online course conducted by Brien Holden Vision Institute. After that she has introduced many innovative ideas and teaching methods that are not only appreciated by the institution but students also found them interesting, helpful and user friendly in their course work.

Saima has introduced new ways of conducting exams/tests. She believes in getting her students feedback about her work and is ready to discuss with her students. That is one reason why students are most comfortable with her. She has arranged a number of workshops, seminars and hands on training for her students. She is always an eloquent speaker, not only on clinical topics but also on social inclusion of visually impaired.

Saima started her career in Optometry teaching in times where where less was known about optometry among young females, and now almost 65% of our students are females who see their future bright and clear in optometry.

“I enjoy my role as a teacher in optometry. I think this is a great way of bringing change in someone’s career and life. When I see my students on job in clinics, NGO, hospital etc, I feel proud of them and myself. I also expect that this journey should go on. I believe in continuous professional development of optometrists and especially those involved in teaching and training.”

– Saima Ghufran