A Woman of Vision

Dr. Purvi Thomson is more than just a highly skilled optometrist —she’s a leader, a mother and an inspiration

From managing a bustling practice to contributing to refractive standards and motivating colleagues, Dr. Purvi Thomson is dedicated to advancing eye care. Her journey, marked by professional triumphs and personal challenges, showcases the power of passion, vision and the importance of a balanced life.

Balancing a fulfilling career with a rich family life is rare these days, but Dr. Purvi Thomson feels fortunate to have achieved it. “The health and eye care industry is phenomenal, and those around me motivate and inspire me to be the best optometrist I can be,” shared Dr. Purvi, head optometrist at OCL Vision London in the United Kingdom.

The power of co-management

With a team of consultant ophthalmologists, OCL Vision London offers various eye care services—from laser vision correction to corneal and retinal procedures.

According to Dr. Purvi, the ophthalmologists she works with are the biggest champions of optometrists, and she feels lucky to be working alongside them. With a team of 10 optometrists, they work together to offer their patients the best possible eye care solutions as they undertake pre-operative consultations for corneal, cataract and refractive surgeries, as well as independently managing follow-ups.

“For the past 10 years, I have worked with some of the best eye surgeons and have developed skills that allow me to work synergistically alongside them,” shared Dr. Purvi. “I take a great interest in the ocular surface disease, cataract pre- and post-op management, refractive surgery including laser vision correction, keratoconus monitoring and management, and specialist contact lenses,” she added.

Charting a career path in eye care

Dr. Purvi qualified as an optometrist in 2004 and started working as a locum before becoming a resident optometrist. “I was then given the opportunity to manage and run my uncle’s independent practice. I did that for a few years before I realized that I was drawn more to working in a clinical setting,” she shared. “So about 18 years ago, I moved on to work in ophthalmology and haven’t looked back since.”

Over the years, she continued to develop her clinical knowledge and became an independent prescriber. She also completed further education in glaucoma.

“I faced an incredibly steep learning curve when I stepped into the world of ophthalmology,” she said. “But sometimes you do your best work under pressure. I learned pretty quickly and evolved to think like a surgeon while practicing what I do best—optometry,” she added.

With a career that has taken various paths, Dr. Purvi believes that each step has made her a better practitioner.

“Working in multiple primary care definitely enhanced my refractive skills and ability to deal with different patients. Running my own practice taught me the importance of patient care, as well as balancing the business side of optometry,” she added.

Bridging private practice and hospital care

OCL Vision runs a dry eye clinic where Dr. Purvi and her team offer treatments such as intense pulse light (IPL) therapy. Part of their administrative tasks include carrying out calculations for intraocular lenses (IOLs) to help deliver the best possible outcomes for their patients.

For Dr. Purvi, motivating and empowering her team of optometrists to advance their expertise independently is an important aspect of her leadership role.

“For example, a few of us will be training to carry out YAG laser capsulotomies. Simultaneously, I work within the business to help develop pathways to maximize efficiencies and drive business by developing connections with community practitioners,” she shared.

Dr. Purvi’s experience in working both in private practice and the hospital industry plays a key role in her career. “Working in the private sector gives me access to the latest technology and procedures, such as the newest IOLs, treatments for keratoconus (KC), as well as the chance to play with the latest tech. It also gives me insight into the business side of ophthalmology and how a healthcare setting is run,” she explained.

Educating and empowering peers

The United Kingdom National Health Service (NHS) also provided her with opportunities to use her sight-saving skills. “We can offer patients a better quality of life with specialist contact lenses,” she shared. “Seeing their reaction when they can finally see is something I will never take for granted.

Dr. Purvi’s passion for education leads her to speaking engagements at ophthalmology and optometry meetings, sharing knowledge and learning from peers. She also contributes her expertise to the field as an advisory board member for COOKIE Magazine and as the College of Optometrist’s representative on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Refractive Standards Working Group.

“What I have learned is that all these roles in my career allow me to fully enjoy what I do,” she shared. “Each element of my work allows me to be the best possible optometrist. The clinical aspect is what drives me, and I love being in the test room helping patients with whatever they may need from a visual point of view,” she enthused.

A source of inspiration and support

Dr. Purvi credits her family—her husband and parents—as her biggest motivators. “They always encourage me to take up new opportunities. Having their full support enables me to take my career to where it is now,” she shared.

Dr. Purvi’s decision to become an optometrist was influenced by her father, a successful optometrist who had an independent practice. Her father was among the first to invest in a fundus camera. Being able to see
the back of the eye and directly view the blood vessels fascinated young Dr. Purvi, inspiring her to follow in her father’s footsteps.

“During my school holidays, I would often go and help him. I would work as his receptionist, assist people in choosing their glasses, and help with stock-taking and general administrative work. I got to ‘play’ with all his latest gadgets,” she fondly reminisced.

Dr. Purvi met her husband, Jamie, in a London house share 20 years ago. They’ve been married for 16 years. “He is the least scientific person I have ever met, but he is definitely the smartest when it comes to numbers,” she shared. “We have two strong, brilliant and kind daughters, ages 11 and seven. They occasionally like to challenge their mother,” she laughed.

“Having young children forces you to maintain a work and home balance. One could say that my full-time work is at home trying to raise two strong, independent young women,” Dr. Purvi shared. “When I go out to see
my patients, that is ‘my’ time—the aspect of my life that is purely for me. Having my girls definitely helps me keep perspective and enjoy what I do,” she said.

Needless to say, Dr. Purvi is a strong advocate for women balancing leadership careers and motherhood.

A journey of strength and vision

Eleven years ago, she underwent chemotherapy for cancer, benefitting from the excellent healthcare services in the UK.

“Life throws challenges our way, and we can always learn and grow from them,” Dr. Purvi shared. “I work alongside incredible women and surgeons, and I always get inspired to see people I can relate to achieve so much. It’s a real driving force for me.”

While chemotherapy can save one’s life, it can have a devastating impact on one’s health. Dr. Purvi, who is now a member of various cancer groups, became a voice of help for women who suffer from incredibly sore eyes due to the effects of chemotherapy.

In 2025, she aims to create eye care boxes containing information booklets on simple remedies to alleviate eye discomfort for those in need. “It’s been a plan for a while, and I hope that with some help from the industry, I can fulfill these plans in 2025,” she concluded.

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was first published in COOKIE magazine Issue 18.