For Fiona Buckmaster, optometry is more than a profession—it’s a calling. A highly qualified Scottish optometrist, Fiona has dedicated her career to advancing eye care through education, research, and global outreach. Thanks to support from Optometry Giving Sight, she has been able to bring her expertise to Vietnam, where she is shaping the next generation of optometrists.
Recruited by the Brien Holden Foundation, Fiona teaches optometry students at Hanoi Medical University and remotely supports students at UPNT in Ho Chi Minh City. But her impact goes far beyond classroom instruction. She serves as a mentor for junior optometry teachers, helping them refine their skills to build a strong, sustainable faculty for Vietnam’s growing optometry field.
Advocacy has also been central to Fiona’s role. She has supported seminars and workshops on optometric service development, participated in Vietnam’s first optometry conference, and contributed to discussions on low vision services and myopia management. Her dedication is evident not only in her professional contributions but also in her personal commitment—she even self-funded Vietnamese lessons to better connect with her students and colleagues.
“I always say that my real job is to put myself out of a job! The collaboration between HMU and BHF, supported by OGS, is truly building a sustainable future for the optometry profession in Vietnam,” Fiona shares.
Her journey underscores the importance of investing in education to create lasting change. By empowering optometrists with the skills and knowledge they need, Fiona—and the support from Optometry Giving Sight—is helping build a future where eye care is accessible to all.