Tim Thurn is a distinguished optometrist whose career evolved from clinical practice to international leadership roles within the optical industry. After graduating from University of New South Wales (UNSW), he became one of the first optometrists in Australia and New Zealand to transition from practice to the commercial sector, spending decades with Essilor working with practitioners worldwide before recently retiring.

Q. Why did you get into the optometric profession?

It was rather like ‘physician heal thyself ’. I was a child with poor vision – I didn’t realise quite how poor until I studied optometry – and I wanted to understand why. I was privileged to live near (the late) Professor Brian Layland,* so after my Higher School Certificate, I visited him to learn more about the profession before finalising my university choices. Brian was articulate and passionate about optometry, and it was infectious; it became my first choice for university.

Q. What training did you undertake, and what was your first role?

At the time, there were only three optometry degree courses: the University of New South Wales, the University of Melbourne, and Queensland University of Technology. Being from Sydney, I attended UNSW for my Bachelor of Optometry. Unlike today, therapeutics weren’t part of the course, so we had to complete a postgraduate certificate to use diagnostic drugs like mydriatics and cycloplegics, which I completed a couple of years after graduating.

My first position was in Adelaide – a straightforward decision. Optometrists were in demand as there was no course there, housing was relatively inexpensive compared to Sydney, and the salary was two to three times higher. Adelaide also offered other opportunities. After five years of scientific study, I wanted something different, so I studied Fine Arts in photography at the South Australian School of Art over four years. I later completed my postgraduate diploma in Business at American University in Paris during my seven years in that remarkable city.

My first job was with a group practice at Stepney, close to Adelaide’s central business district, where I served as optometrist and manager. I later joined J Holland Optometrists, eventually becoming a partner running the busy Salisbury practice until joining Essilor at the end of 1988. Hollands was acquired by OPSM the following year.

Q. What did you find most interesting about those early career days?

While I’d spent considerable time studying, you have to learn to apply your knowledge when you first start, so everything was fascinating. Speaking with optometry colleagues about patients and issues really helped develop my skills. What I found particularly exciting was optometry’s politics and communicating about the profession to the general public.

As Communications Officer for the Australian Optometric Association in South Australia (AOA later became Optometry Australia), I would localise press articles from the national office or write my own. They gained significant traction – over five years, I accumulated approximately 400–500 published pieces, more than 250 radio interviews, and over 20 television appearances. It’s interesting that more than 40 years later, the public remains relatively unaware about vision and eye health, despite tremendous efforts from the profession and Optometry Australia.

Q. Can you outline your career since those early days?

There have been three to four phases in my career: clinical practice; wholesale to retail; manufacturing to wholesale; and finally, integrating all three.

After seven years on the AOA SA board, including appearing before a South Australian Government Select Committee, Essilor’s recently opened Australian office were seeking someone for its marketing role. Joe Chakman, the AOA’s Executive Director, put forward my name, and I got the position.

Tim Thurn at Longbeach, Bay of Islands, NZ Sept 2025 and above with Nelisen de Souza (currently Senior Lecturer UWA), left, and Stephen Shawler (Essilor AMERA Regional Head of Marketing, now retired) Cape of Good Hope South Africa, July 2011.

I believe Michael Kotow and I were the first optometrists in Australia and New Zealand to transition from practice to the commercial side of an optical company.

My first Essilor role helped establish the company and its services in Australia and New Zealand. Travel was constant; we visited more than 90 towns in three years. When I moved to Essilor International in Paris, things intensified. As International Product Manager, I worked with research and development teams in France and America to bring new lens products to Essilor subsidiaries worldwide.

As Regional Director for Professional Services, I focussed on communicating product research and optimal clinical techniques to professionals. Working 13 years in partnership with ICEE (International Centre for Eyecare Education), part of Brien Holden Vision Institute, meant reaching and interacting with more than 120,000 practitioners, 3,000 university educators, and over 15,000 optometry students across 17 countries. We published our work in Clinical and Experimental Optometry.

Finally, as Medical and Professional Relations Director for Australia and New Zealand, I worked with local teams to bring products like Varilux X and XR, Stellest, and the Crizal range to market, continuing to work with universities, colleges, and ophthalmology.

Mr Thurn with students and staff of the Hong Kong Polytechnic, February 2012.

Mr Thurn (back left) and Neilsen de Souza (back right) with students of the Lotus College of Optometry in India, 2011.

Q. How has the industry changed over the years?

From an overall perspective, I joined Essilor when it ranked 12th globally with 12,000 employees. Prior to the Luxottica merger, it was number one with 75,000 employees. Now it sits amongst the world’s top 100 companies and is far more than a lens manufacturer. Digital and AI technology have revolutionised optics – without them, most of today’s products simply wouldn’t exist.

Retail change is difficult to quantify as everything old becomes new again. I entered the profession during the era of ‘glasses in about an hour’ and ‘two for one offers’ – both faded, but ‘two for one’ has returned as a consumer hook for many market players.

There are several dynamic shifts. For the past 15 years, the course has included therapeutics and disease treatment, which has impacted both optometry’s demographics and individual private practice. These bright practitioners aren’t always aware of the physiological role optical needs play in ensuring the best possible outcomes for their patients. Today there are more products and a greater capacity to solve patient needs than ever before. There have been more new products in the past 30 years than in the previous 300.

The industry balance in Australia and New Zealand now resembles the 1990s USA, with large groups comprising around 60% of the retail market. As happened in America, this will swing back as independent optometry increases, not only in scope of practice but communication and marketing skills... the usual balance is about 50-50 for our industry.

Q. What fills you with pride about your career?

The number of people reached through programs and professional contacts I managed; when they embraced change I saw their practices develop and thrive because they were better serving their patients – that was very pleasing.

When I announced my retirement, my friend Christophe Birades, Director of Strategic Planning and New Business for Nikon-Essilor, said “Thank you for being the face of Essilor”. If that’s even partly true, I would be extremely proud.

Q. What did you most enjoy about the optometric profession?

Without doubt, the people. Sometimes after a session, an attendee would approach me saying, “I’m just a receptionist, but I understood what you were talking about”. This brought me great joy because I’d tell them, as the very first person patients see in the practice, their role is vital. I wanted everyone I spoke to to take something away with them.

The friendships and ties I’ve had the privilege to build over more than 40 years across many countries are countless and will stay with me.

Q. What’s next for you?

Living in a lovely quiet community overlooking the Bay of Islands (in New Zealand’s Northland) is a wonderful way to spend time and to help develop my creative writing and photography skills. More time for family, friends, and travel for pleasure are also welcome changes. But I’m still passionate about helping optometry and optical practitioners. I’m currently on Optometry Australia’s internal consulting list and discussing some interesting industry-related opportunities. Advances in AI and wearables are already impacting optometry, so while it’s been an incredible experience so far I think there’s more on the horizon and I hope to continue to contribute to the industry for some time to come.

*Professor Brian Layland OAM OLM Fellow UNSW (HON. Causa), a key figure in Australian optometry, passed away on 22 October 2022, aged 92.