Dr Thao Hannaford
(Optometrist)
Thao graduated with honours in her Bachelor of Optometry degree at the University of New South Wales. She also has a Master of Optometry, Graduate Certificate in Arts and Bachelor of Arts degree. Thao has an interest in sports and children’s vision. She is involved in the supervision of 4th and 5th year optometry students in their clinical placement at the practice.
As a former visiting clinical supervisor to the School of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW Thao taught at the 3rd and 4th year optometry clinics. She is a member of Optometry Australia, Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists and Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia. She is a research candidate at Aston University UK.
Thao has been awarded as a Paul Harris fellow and is recognised by the Australian government for her aid work in Mongolia and Nepal. She is also the cofounder and director of the Academy of Advanced Ophthalmic Optics, a company specialising in education and professional development of practitioners in the ophthalmic industry. Thao was a Business Person of the Year finalist in the Southern Highlands Local Business Awards 2021.
Dr Grant Hannaford
Grant is a qualified optical dispenser and lens designer. He graduated with honours in a Bachelor of Arts degree and Bachelor of Science degree with a major in physics and pure mathematics from the University of New England. Grant holds a qualification in spectacle lens design with honours from the UK under the tutelage of Professor Mo Jalie and is the first and only spectacle lens designer in Australia. He has an interest in research and photonics.
Grant is a Fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians and ADOA. He is also a lecturer at the School of Optometry and Vision Science UNSW. He is the past Chairman of the NSW Optical Dispensers Education Trust and the current Vice President of ADOA (NSW).
Since 2006 Grant has been the director of the Rotary Eye Projects in Nepal, Mongolia and helped implement the establishment of an ophthalmic facility in Ulaangom, Mongolia and works closely with Reiyukai Eye Hospital in Banepa, Nepal. He also consults for various international education projects providing resources for best practice dispensing models. Grant is a regular guest lecturer for Optometry Australia SA Blue Sky Congress, QLD Australian Vision Convention (AVC), NSW Super Sunday and Ski Conference.
He has been awarded as a Paul Harris fellow and is recognised by the Australian government for his aid work in Mongolia and Nepal. He is also the cofounder and director of the Academy of Advanced Ophthalmic Optics, a company specialising in education and professional development of practitioners in the ophthalmic science industry. Grant successfully passed his doctoral candidacy in 2025 at Aston University’s UK. He is the 2022 International Optician of the Year.
Dr Samantha Ratnayaka
(Optometrist)
Samantha is an optometrist with a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Western Australia as well as a Bachelor of Biomedical Science. Originally from Perth, she has made the move to Bowral to serve the Southern Highlands community. Passionate about patient-centered care, Samantha aims to make every consultation supportive and empowering. She has also participated in aid work in Sri Lanka and is dedicated to improving access to eye care globally.
Dr Qiqi Xu
(Optometrist)
Qiqi is an optometrist with a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Melbourne as well as a Bachelor of Science. She is originally from Melbourne and now lives locally to service the community. Qiqi is enthusiastic about all aspects of optometry and has a special interest in paediatrics, contact lenses and ocular disease co-management. She is committed to building long-term relationships with her patients by providing patient-centred care through professional and sensitive communication.
Sam Bransgrove
Eliza Bowmer
Eliza began as a year 10 work experience student. She was so impressive that she ended up working on Saturdays and school holidays for the remainder of her high school years. Eliza completed her teaching degree in education at the University of Wollongong in 2023. She works as a primary school teacher now but you will still see on some Saturdays assisting and looking after our patients.