Iffat Malik, Black & Lizars
Iffat Malik is an optometrist practising with Black & Lizars across the Giffnock and Clarkston branches in Glasgow. Although she qualified as an optometrist in 2021, her journey with the company began nine years earlier when she joined as a Dispensing Optician (DO).
Her career path is an uncommon one. After qualifying as a DO, she went on to train in orthoptics before later completing a degree in optometry.
“It’s not the typical route into optometry,” she says. “But each stage gave me a different perspective on patient care. I wouldn’t change it.”
During her orthoptics training, Iffat gained hospital experience at hospitals across the UK, including Stobhill Hospital in Glasgow, where she developed particular expertise in binocular vision and multidisciplinary working. During this time, Iffat sourced and undertook a four-week placement at Moorfields Eye Hospital in Dubai – a first for the GCU Orthoptics programme, and an experience that further broadened her clinical exposure.
“It was a completely different healthcare setting. That experience really pushed me to adapt and grow,” she explains.
She later undertook a calendar-year optometry degree in Bradford, a programme designed for experienced DOs with management backgrounds. Accepted in part due to her orthoptic experience, she took a sabbatical to complete the course.
“At one point I thought I might have to leave Black & Lizars to make it work,” she says. “But they supported me and offered me a pre-registration placement when I returned. That meant a lot.”
Now fully qualified, Iffat has also achieved her Independent Prescribing (IP) qualification. Her combined hospital experience in both orthoptics and optometry has proved valuable in this advanced role.
“IP felt like a natural progression. It allows me to use all the clinical skills I’ve built over the years.”
She speaks warmly about the mentorship she received during her pre-registration year, particularly from fellow optometrist Eilidh Thomson, Chair of Optometry Scotland, the representative body for optometrists and dispensing opticians in Scotland.
“Having strong female supervision was so important. Eilidh really supported me and built my confidence. It’s something I hope to pass on.”
Later this year, Iffat will welcome her first pre-registration trainee. “I’ve been supported every step of the way, so if I can do the same for someone else coming through, that will be a real achievement.”
Beyond practice, Iffat is passionate about community impact. She volunteers at Kibble, the specialist child and youth care charity, providing sight tests for children and vulnerable young people.
“The work I do with Kibble is incredibly rewarding,” she says. “It reminds you how much vision shapes confidence, education and wellbeing. That’s one of the most meaningful parts of what we do.”
If you would like to spotlight a colleague or share your own experience within optometry, we would be delighted to hear from you. Please feel free to contact the OS office to express your interest, and a member of the team will be happy to discuss how we can feature your story in a future spotlight, contact office@optometryscotland.org.uk
