Meet a Council Member: Byki Huntjens
Tell us a bit about yourself?
The two things that define me are that I am Dutch and I love eyes. Particularly spectacles (I own over 20 pairs) and contact lenses! Not really knowing what I got myself into, I studied optometry in the Netherlands, and moved to the UK in 2003 to study a Masters degree in optometry, something Dutch optometrists are surprisingly still not able to do back home. Following this one-year program, I managed to register with the GOC and I decided to continue studying for my PhD at the University of Manchester while also locuming in the weekends and supervising undergraduate students. In 2008, after I moved to London, I contacted City University to see if they needed help in the contact lens clinic; these are just so exciting and fun to teach! Six months later, I joined as a lecturer, and here we are, 11 years on! Although I am involved in teaching a variety of clinical modules, I am still teaching contact lenses with a passion. Other passions of mine are travelling, socialising, and running.
Why did you join the BCLA?
My PhD supervisor Clare O’Donnell as well as my City colleague Judith Morris introduced me to the BCLA at different times in my career. I am so glad they did! My interests are very broad; anything to do with eyes and optometry draws my attention. However, contact lenses are just so fascinating, and I am always keen to learn more. Over the years I got more interested in materials, contact lens discomfort, and dry eyes. The BCLA is a perfect place to gain knowledge and recognition in these fields. And the networking opportunities are really useful too; I would be missing out by not attending or engaging.
What encouraged/inspired you to apply to be on BCLA Council?
I really wanted to get involved in shaping the contact lens future, starting with the UK. As an educator, I believe it is vital to inspire those that are starting their (optometric) career. My reason for applying to Council was to promote contact lenses and dry eye within the profession, particularly related to supporting pre-registrants and enhancing the role of BCLA student ambassadors.
Apart from the membership benefits, what else do you get from being a member of the BCLA?
I look forward meeting my fellow council members on a regular basis: we all have different backgrounds and I learn so much from them. In addition, I absolutely love attending the BCLA conferences. My focus for any conference or networking event is: every day, learn at least one new thing and make at least one new connection. Over the years, the BCLA has given me much more confidence in my practical as well as educational abilities, and it is important to let others know. So I made it my mission to support anyone who is thinking of growing in their knowledge and confidence, whether this is through the BCLA fellowship, one of the BCLA certificates, or any other optometric association.
What is it like being a member of the BCLA council?
Hard work, fast pace, and maybe somewhat unexpected a super creative experience. I am so pleased I had the courage to apply for Council. Brilliant experience!
What message would you like to give to members / non-members?
Believe in yourself. Don’t hold back, or think you need more experience or courage or knowledge to do something new! Be brave. Join us. Talk to us. Make a difference.
What do you think will be the biggest change in contact lenses and the anterior eye over the next five years?
The development of Artificial Intelligence, significant increase in customised lens designs particularly for myopia control, and continuous monitoring of the ocular physiology. Exciting times!
Biography
Following my Bachelor in Optometry, MSc in investigative ophthalmology and visual sciences, and PhD in optometry, I became a lecturer at City, University of London in 2009. I passionately teach contact lenses and other clinical modules, redesign our dry eye clinic following a visiting scholarship at UC Berkeley earlier in the year, and supervise projects with undergraduate and postgraduate students. Over the past several years I obtained my fellowships with IACLE and BCLA, completed the dry eye certificate with the BCLA, and gained recognition for my teaching as a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I am Vice-Chair of BUCCLE, the British and Irish University and College Contact Lens Educators, and a BCLA council member.