About Us

High quality eye care for people of all ages

Focus Optometrists was established in 1990 and has been owned by our optometrist Simon Hurwood since 1999. The practice provides high quality eye care for people of all ages and has the finest available equipment to provide the greatest level of eye care possible.

We also pride ourselves on the quality of our spectacles. Your most precious sense deserves optimal quality. Not only do you need to see well with your spectacles, but you also need to feel good wearing them.

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Optometrist – Simon Hurwood

Our optometrist and practice owner is Simon Hurwood. He has been an optometrist for over 25 years and has also completed an MBA and a Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics which allows him to treat various conditions including eye infections, allergies and glaucoma.

Simon graduated in 1992 from the QUT School of Optometry and spent two years in Port Hedland, a mining town in the far north-west of Australia. He returned to Brisbane at the start of 1996 and worked as a clinician at the QUT Optometry Clinic as well as doing locum work for various optometrists around the state.

He has a special interest in contact lenses and eye disease such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetes and cataracts and is also experienced at testing children and adolescents.

When not at work Simon spends a lot of time watching and coaching his children’s sport including rugby, cricket, rowing and soccer.

Education

1992 Bachelor of Applied Science (Optometry) QUT
1993 Ocular Therapy – Pennsylvania College of Optometry
2000 MBA Professional QUT
2005 Graduate Certificate (Ocular Therapeutics) QUT

Professional History

1992 – Present Clinical Optometrist in Private Practice
1997 – 2008 Optometrists’ Association Qld & NT Board Member
2004 – 2005 Optometrists’ Association Qld & NT Division Vice President
2005 – 2006 Optometrists’ Association Qld & NT Division President
2006 – 2010 Optometrists’ Association Board Member – National Division
2007 – 2010 Optometrists’ Association National Division Treasurer

Memberships & Associations

Optometrists Association of Australia
ProVision Australia
Contact Lens Society of Australia

Awards & Honours

The Honourable Bill Hayden AC, Queensland Optometrist of the Year
Presented by Optometrists Association of Australia (QLD Division) for Distinguished Service to the Profession and Association

Optometrist – Matthew Kowalski

Matt grew up in Graceville and had his very first pair of glasses prescribed by Simon in the 1990s. He credits Simon with inspiring him to become an optometrist. Matt has since worked for Focus as a optometry student at QUT (as did his wife Louise when she was studying), and is now delighted to be consulting alongside Simon as a fellow optometrist. Matt brings over 18 years of clinical experience, having worked at many independent practices across southeast Queensland, as well as enjoying a two-year role in Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island.

Matt has a keen interest in all aspects of eye care, from managing eye diseases, to fitting contact lenses, to assisting patients with complicated spectacle lenses. He prides himself on providing a calm environment for his patients, getting to know them (not just their eyes), and taking the time to explain all of the information they might need clearly and completely.

Outside of work, Matt enjoys walks with his wife and their Groodle, as well as hiking around New Zealand whenever possible.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Applied Science (Optometry) (First Class Honours)
Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics

Support Staff

Sandra Williams – is an optical assistant with more than 30 years’ experience who has worked with Simon for more 15 years. She is an expert at selecting frames and will help choose the styles that best suit your face and your needs.