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Chantal OvervlietPhoto: Contributed
Chantal OvervlietPhoto: Contributed

Optometrist: Chantal Overvliet

Nankali Kamwanga
Chantal Overvliet chose low vision as her specialty in optometry, focusing on persistent visual loss caused by eye disease or trauma. "Our major focus as optometrists is primary eye care. I need to detect visual or pathological problems. This goes beyond the usual eye check-ups that most people are aware of," she explained.

Among the areas of specialisation in optometry are binocular vision, paediatric optometry, neuro-optometry and low vision. Overvliet emphasised that there is much more to optometry than meets the eye. While many people associate optometry with eye exams, contact lenses and prescription glasses, the profession encompasses a wide range of responsibilities and skills. However, it is the 'common' parts of the profession that take up most of her days, she admitted.

Contrary to popular belief, optometry involves a lot of mathematics and physics during the four years of study. Overvliet highlighted the importance of these subjects: "You need to take these subjects until grade 12 to be able to study this and apply in advance in South Africa or elsewhere if you want to pursue a career in optometry. Currently, this is not available in Namibia".

She urged aspiring optometrists to make an effort to visit specialists and engage in conversations with them about their occupations before making a decision to pursue the field. "Certain professionals might allow you to shadow them during the day, offering you a better understanding of a typical day in their field," she said.

Overvliet is actively engaged in worldwide paralympic classification and frequently travels for major event classifications. This involvement allows her to contribute to the global optometry community and stay updated with the latest advancements in the field.

Her passion for optometry and commitment to low vision care reflect a deep understanding of the complexities of eye health.

For those considering a career in optometry, Overvliet's story serves as an inspiring example of how specialised knowledge and dedication can significantly impact individuals' lives, especially those with persistent visual impairments. Her advice to engage with professionals and explore the field thoroughly is invaluable for anyone looking to enter this challenging yet rewarding profession.

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Allgemeine Zeitung 2024-10-13

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Katima Mulilo: 17° | 36° Rundu: 17° | 35° Eenhana: 19° | 37° Oshakati: 20° | 37° Ruacana: 20° | 37° Tsumeb: 23° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 19° | 33° Omaruru: 23° | 37° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Gobabis: 21° | 33° Henties Bay: 13° | 19° Wind speed: 21km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 06:00, High tide: 12:29, Low Tide: 18:40, High tide: 00:59 Swakopmund: 14° | 16° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:27, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:57 Walvis Bay: 14° | 23° Wind speed: 38km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:26, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:56 Rehoboth: 20° | 34° Mariental: 23° | 38° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 38° Aranos: 21° | 37° Lüderitz: 15° | 30° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 39° Oranjemund: 13° | 20° Luanda: 24° | 25° Gaborone: 21° | 35° Lubumbashi: 18° | 33° Mbabane: 16° | 32° Maseru: 17° | 32° Antananarivo: 10° | 27° Lilongwe: 22° | 32° Maputo: 20° | 33° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Cape Town: 14° | 21° Durban: 18° | 25° Johannesburg: 20° | 31° Dar es Salaam: 24° | 30° Lusaka: 20° | 32° Harare: 18° | 31° Currency: GBP to NAD 22.69 | EUR to NAD 19.02 | CNY to NAD 2.46 | USD to NAD 17.4 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.27 | EGP to NAD 0.35 | KES to NAD 0.13 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.08 | RUB to NAD 0.18 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 132.83 | USD to AOA 909.1 | USD to BWP 13.28 | USD to EGP 48.53 | USD to KES 128.5 | USD to NGN 1625.33 | USD to ZAR 17.39 | USD to ZMW 26.4 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1854.97 Up +1.41% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 14101.61 Down -0.01% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 30762.32 Down -1.33% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 657.18/OZ UP +0.91% | Copper US$ 4.47/lb UP +1.10% | Zinc US$ 3 171.30/T DOWN -0.03% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 79.33/BBP DOWN -0.0052 | Platinum US$ 984.46/OZ UP +1.35% Sport results: Weather: Katima Mulilo: 17° | 36° Rundu: 17° | 35° Eenhana: 19° | 37° Oshakati: 20° | 37° Ruacana: 20° | 37° Tsumeb: 23° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 19° | 33° Omaruru: 23° | 37° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Gobabis: 21° | 33° Henties Bay: 13° | 19° Wind speed: 21km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 06:00, High tide: 12:29, Low Tide: 18:40, High tide: 00:59 Swakopmund: 14° | 16° Wind speed: 30km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:27, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:57 Walvis Bay: 14° | 23° Wind speed: 38km/h, Wind direction: SW, Low tide: 05:58, High tide: 12:26, Low Tide: 18:38, High tide: 00:56 Rehoboth: 20° | 34° Mariental: 23° | 38° Keetmanshoop: 22° | 38° Aranos: 21° | 37° Lüderitz: 15° | 30° Ariamsvlei: 23° | 39° Oranjemund: 13° | 20° Luanda: 24° | 25° Gaborone: 21° | 35° Lubumbashi: 18° | 33° Mbabane: 16° | 32° Maseru: 17° | 32° Antananarivo: 10° | 27° Lilongwe: 22° | 32° Maputo: 20° | 33° Windhoek: 20° | 33° Cape Town: 14° | 21° Durban: 18° | 25° Johannesburg: 20° | 31° Dar es Salaam: 24° | 30° Lusaka: 20° | 32° Harare: 18° | 31° Economic Indicators: Currency: GBP to NAD 22.69 | EUR to NAD 19.02 | CNY to NAD 2.46 | USD to NAD 17.4 | DZD to NAD 0.13 | AOA to NAD 0.02 | BWP to NAD 1.27 | EGP to NAD 0.35 | KES to NAD 0.13 | NGN to NAD 0.01 | ZMW to NAD 0.65 | ZWL to NAD 0.04 | BRL to NAD 3.08 | RUB to NAD 0.18 | INR to NAD 0.21 | USD to DZD 132.83 | USD to AOA 909.1 | USD to BWP 13.28 | USD to EGP 48.53 | USD to KES 128.5 | USD to NGN 1625.33 | USD to ZAR 17.39 | USD to ZMW 26.4 | USD to ZWL 321 | Stock Exchange: JSE All Share Index Same 0 | Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) Overall Index 1854.97 Up +1.41% | Casablanca Stock Exchange (CSE) MASI 14101.61 Down -0.01% | Egyptian Exchange (EGX) 30 Index 30762.32 Down -1.33% | Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE) DCI Same 0 | NSX: MTC 7.75 SAME | Anirep 8.99 SAME | Capricorn Investment group 17.34 SAME | FirstRand Namibia Ltd 49 DOWN 0.50% | Letshego Holdings (Namibia) Ltd 4.1 UP 2.50% | Namibia Asset Management Ltd 0.7 SAME | Namibia Breweries Ltd 31.49 UP 0.03% | Nictus Holdings - Nam 2.22 SAME | Oryx Properties Ltd 12.1 UP 1.70% | Paratus Namibia Holdings 11.99 SAME | SBN Holdings 8.45 SAME | Trustco Group Holdings Ltd 0.48 SAME | B2Gold Corporation 47.34 DOWN 1.50% | Local Index closed 677.62 UP 0.12% | Overall Index closed 1534.6 DOWN 0.05% | Osino Resources Corp 19.47 DOWN 2.41% | Commodities: Gold US$ 2 657.18/OZ UP +0.91% | Copper US$ 4.47/lb UP +1.10% | Zinc US$ 3 171.30/T DOWN -0.03% | Brent Crude Oil US$ 79.33/BBP DOWN -0.0052 | Platinum US$ 984.46/OZ UP +1.35%