Our Team

Clinical Teaching Instructors

Tim Martin

Lead Clinical Teaching Instructor
BOptom, GCOcTh, MOptom

Tim completed his optometry studies at the University of Melbourne, including receiving a Dean’s Honour list award, in 2007. He started work in Gippsland where he could build on his experience in full scope community optometry care. Here he worked with a wide variety of patients, building on particular interests in paediatric care and disease management.

Since 2012 Tim has worked as a Clinical Teaching Instructor at Melbourne Eyecare Clinic, while continuing to also work in private practice. At Melbourne Eyecare Clinic he works in the general and paediatric clinics. He is passionate about providing high quality eye care to people of all ages and enjoys the challenge of solving problems for patients. He also finds it very rewarding helping the next generation of optometrist grow from students into independent clinicians.

When he is not at work, Tim enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball and is an AFOL (adult fan of Lego).

Maria Bui

Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor
BOptom, GCOcTh, MOptom

Maria grew up in Sydney and completed her Bachelor of Optometry at the University of NSW. She went on to complete the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics and Master of Optometry with a special interest in children’s vision.

Maria has had a long and varied career in optometry and has always been passionate about teaching. She worked as a Clinical Optometrist at the UNSW Optometry Clinic and following a move to Melbourne, commenced working at Melbourne Eyecare in 2015 as a Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor. She has volunteered in multidisciplinary health teams with Vietnam Vision Project and has worked with International Centre for Eyecare Education in teaching activities in Da Nang Vietnam.

Outside of work, Maria keeps busy with her young daughter and enjoys relaxing with a good coffee and doing the weekend quiz with her family.

Ambiga Theivendradas

Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor
BOptom

Ambiga graduated as an Optometrist from the University of Melbourne in 2010 and has over 10 years’ experience in providing eye care in private practice. She joined the Melbourne Eyecare Clinic as a Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor in 2021.

During Ambiga’s time in private practice, she had the opportunity to supervise Optometry students whilst on their placement and developed a passion for teaching which led her to joining Melbourne Eyecare Clinic.

Ambiga enjoys all areas of optometry. She particularly enjoys teaching the next generation of optometrists and guiding them through the challenges of the profession. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, baking cakes and travelling.

Dispensary Staff

With a cumulative 40 years of experience, the dispensing team at Melbourne Eyecare Clinic provide personalized assistance with frame selection and discussion of spectacle lens options that best suit your needs.

Abbie

Optical Dispenser

Clinical Director

Dr Andrew Huhtanen

Clinic Director
BSc, OD

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Andrew graduated as a Doctor of Optometry from the University of Waterloo, after completing a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University.

Andrew has a strong interest in anterior ocular disease, advanced contact lenses, and clinical training and assessment. He is an academic in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne.

Andrew has consulted at a wide range of practices across Canada and Australia. His clinical areas of interest are in specialty contact lenses, including sclerals, hybrids and orthokeratology, and managing complex conditions such as paediatric aphakia, keratoconus and corneal grafts. 

Andrew has volunteered and lectured internationally in Mexico, India, Tanzania, and Myanmar. Andrew and his family now call Melbourne home.  When he’s not at work, he enjoys exploring Victoria and Australia, running with his dog George in St Kilda, and proudly supporting the Richmond Tigers.