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).

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.

Dr Erica Barclay

Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor

Erica graduated from the Doctor of Optometry at the University of Melbourne in 2018, and began her clinical career working in public health eyecare. In this setting she serves some of Victoria's most in-need communities and provides clinical supervision to students from multiple optometry schools across Australia.

In addition to public health clinical work , Erica is part of a research team exploring a varied range of topics including epidemiology, eye health economics and professional education.

When not in the clinic, Erica enjoys pottery, travelling overseas and visiting the library to find a new book.

Dr Grace Hand

Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor

Grace graduated from the Doctor of Optometry program at the University of Melbourne and has since been working as an optometrist in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, where she has a special interest in rigid lens fitting and myopia control.

For the last 5 years Grace has served as Chair of the Early Career Optometrists Victoria and South Australia (ECOVSA) committee, where she enjoyed advocating for her peers during their early years of practice. She currently works as a Strategic Project Advisor for Optometry Australia, where she facilitates the Communities of Practice and Education (COPE) groups, as well as oversees amendments to the Clinical Practice Guidelines.

Outside of the clinic she is passionate about promoting the role of optometry in community healthcare and has participated in outreach clinics both locally and interstate.

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.

Clinical Director

A/Prof Andrew Huhtanen

Clinic Director
BSc, OD, GCertClinEd

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. He holds a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education from the University of Melbourne.

Andrew is an Associate Professor in the Department of Optometry and Vision Sciences at the University of Melbourne, and has a passion for advancing eye care through education, clinical practice, and research. He has a strong interest in clinical training, student assessment, interdisciplinary clinical education and evidence-based patient care.

Andrew has consulted at a wide range of practices across Canada and Australia. His clinical areas of interest are in anterior eye disease and specialty contact lenses, including corneals, 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, Myanmar, and Thailand. Melbourne is now home, where he enjoys exploring Victora, running with his dog George, and cheering on the Richmond Tigers!