Molly Feltham: A passion for patient care and Cardiff

A Passion for Patient Care and Cardiff 

Meet Molly Feltham, an optometrist at Specsavers in Cardiff.  Molly shares how working across a cluster of five stores has shaped her career and deepened her love for patient care. 

"Originally, I'm from just outside of Bath, but I moved to Cardiff for uni. I just fell in love with Cardiff. I love it here so much," says Molly Feltham, her eyes lighting up as she talks about the place that became home. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in optometry, she knew Wales was where she wanted to build her career. 

Confidence Built Through Experience 

"Confidence didn’t come easily for me, but over time, I grew into my role. It took about a year and a half after qualifying before I felt truly confident. A turning point came when I began running single clinics. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and made me realise I could manage on my own. But I knew I had my colleagues there for support," she says. 

Teamwork and Building Connections 

"When I was a pre-reg, I had my supervisor, but I also had four or five other optometrists I could turn to for advice. Sometimes my supervisor would suggest something, and I'd think, 'I know you have 30 years of experience, but I’d like to hear another perspective just to be thorough.' That breadth of knowledge and experience is invaluable. We’re all part of a bigger picture. Everyone’s role, whether it's another optom or support staff, is vital in ensuring the patient gets the best possible care. It’s all about working together." 

The heart of emergency care 

"One of the most impactful aspects of my role is offering emergency eye care. The robust system in Wales allows me to handle urgent cases and gain some great experience. I won’t ever forget my first case—a patient with a severe corneal abrasion on my first day! It was a steep learning curve, but I had the support of my supervisor, and together, we managed to give the patient the care they needed.” 

A memorable case 

"One of my most memorable cases involved a patient with flashers and floaters. After a thorough exam, I identified a retinal tear. I explained what was happening and reassured him about the next steps. It was important to me that he felt informed and supported," she shares. “I’m someone who can build rapport with people quite quickly,” she adds, noting that making patients feel comfortable and understood is key to providing personalised care. 

Molly ensures personalised care by understanding each patient's unique needs. "I always ask about their hobbies and daily activities. For example, if someone likes gardening, I discuss how their vision affects that hobby. Or if they use a computer, I make sure their prescription suits their working distance. It's about those little details that make a big difference," she explains. 

Advice for Optometrists looking to join Specsavers 

"Specsavers has a massive customer base, so you get so much clinical exposure. I didn't want to be two years qualified and then see a corneal abrasion for the first time. I saw that on my first day here. Honestly, the learning opportunities are endless, the support system is amazing and there’s always someone to turn to for advice — you’ll never feel alone."