Optometrists

> Our Vast Experience
Specsavers Collins Place's owner-optometrists, John Jennings and David Southgate, have over 60 years' clinical experience between them and have both held prominent positions within their profession.

> John B Jennings, BScOptom, LOSc
John graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1971.  He was elected as Victorian State President of Optometrists' Association Australia from 1978 to 1980 and on the National Council of the Association from 1981 to 1984.  John later served on the Optometrists' Registration Board of Victoria and in 1989 was a founding director of the organisation now known as ProVision Eyecare.  In the early 1990's he was involved in the establishment of 20-20 Laser Vision, which later amalgamated with Laser Sight Centres.

John's major clinical interests are in contact lens practice (including orthokeratology) and refractive surgery, where he is one of Australia's most experienced optometric referrers for laser corrective surgery.  John can be contacted at john@specsaverscollinsplace.com.au

> David C Southgate, BScOptom, PGCertOcTher
David graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1981, and also served as Victorian State President of Optometrists' Association Australia from 1992 to 1994 after earlier working as Director of Professional Services in the Association's national secretariat.  He is a member of the Health Insurance Commission's Professional Services Review Committee and also acts as a part-time advisor to MBF.

David has a keen interest in the role of vision in sport and has served as a consultant and/or lectured to many elite sports participants, umpires and organisations including the Victorian Institute of Sport, Cricket Australia, Cricket Victoria, various AFL clubs and the Olympic clay target shooting team.  He has provided vision care to professional golfers, tennis players and even racing car drivers.

In 2003 David obtained his Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics, a qualification which enables him to write prescriptions for eye preparations such as antibiotics and steroids which previously could only be prescribed by medical practitioners.  David can be emailed at david@specsaverscollinsplace.com.au