As a myope who tried, and failed, to convince the adults in her life that she didn’t need glasses, it’s ironic how many pairs I now own voluntarily. For me, eyewear is not just a necessity but an accessory. My journey coming to terms with my need for glasses allowed me to arrive at a place of loving them. I, like many of you reading this, appreciate how the right pair can change your mood, your look, and complete an outfit.

Perhaps it’s this combination of my refractive error and fashion consciousness that led to a career as an optometrist and a passion for creating optical media.

I qualified as an optometrist in 2016 after graduating from the University of Manchester and began my YouTube channel that summer. Almost ten years on, I launched Beedie On Eyewear: The Podcast — the podcast for optical professionals and eyewear lovers — where I talk to a variety of people within the industry.

I have been attending 100% Optical for as long as I can remember (the digital archives contain a vlog I made at one of my very first shows in 2018). The combination of optical seminars and eyewear is perfect for an eyewear-loving optometrist who can never have too many CPD points.

The show always leaves me fascinated not just by the number of brands showcasing their designs, but by the vastness of their creativity. This fuels my excitement to participate as a judge for the 2026 Love Eyewear Awards. I feel honoured to contribute to highlighting brands and businesses that deserve their time in the spotlight, and I hope to do more of this in the future!

Ebiye Beedie, Optometrist and host of the Beedie On Eyewear: The Podcast. Register for your free pass to 100% Optical here.