Our Practice

(As of March 2024, Amelia will be on maternity leave)

Amelia has been practicing for several years prior to joining us at Leverett and Kindler in 2018. She was inspired to be an optometrist because of her interest in medicine and health care. Her philosophy of practice is looking at vision problems holistically. In addition to addressing the presenting visual needs of the patient, she looks to also investigate why and how these visual problems developed and offer advice on any indicated prevention.

Amelia has a special interest in children’s vision and learning related vision problems, as well as neuro-optometric rehabilitation for patients with visual symptoms of concussion, whiplash, stroke, head injury, visual snow and neurological conditions, collectively known as acquired brain injury (ABI). She has done extensive postgraduate studies in this area including a Master of Optometry from University of New South Wales and Vision Therapy Courses. Amelia has pursued research and was involved in a pilot study investigating the use of virtual reality in vision therapy. She has had experience in advanced treatment for dry eyes and fitting orthokeratology lenses.

Outside work, Amelia enjoys cooking for her family and catching up with her friends.

 

Kristina has been a part of Leverett and Kindler team since 2017 and obtains a wealth of experience in private practice over the last 20 years.

Her inspiration to become an optometrist stemmed from when she was 13 years old and put on her first pair of glasses, she says that that was the day she knew that optometry was the profession for her. “The world is amazing when you can see it!” Even after having practised for over 25 years she still loves seeing people’s faces light up when they put on their glasses or contact lenses. She has a strong interest in children’s vision and some years ago was Head of the Children’s Clinic at the Australian College of Optometry.

Sharing time with family and felines is her greatest delight but she also enjoys literary travel to magical destinations such as Westeros and Hogwarts.

Marguerita graduated from University of Melbourne with a Doctor of Optometry degree in 2015. During her studies, she was granted and completed an externship at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Upon graduation, Marguerita took the challenge of working at several leading regional optometric practices in Victoria before joining us at Leverett & Kindler in 2019.

She became fascinated with eyes and how we see during her high school years and knew she wanted to be an optometrist after completing work experience at a practice in her hometown.

Marguerita is passionate about all aspects of eye health and loves when she can help people see the world at their full potential. She has a special interest in therapeutic management of anterior eye diseases including dry eye disease. She also loves working with children and is experienced in management of myopia. Marguerita is loved by her patients with her bright, caring approach.

Outside work, Marguerita mostly enjoys time spent with family and friends, eating good food, visiting her family farm or getting sand under her feet at the beach.

Ben graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree at the University of Melbourne in 2014. Ben has worked at various locations around metropolitan Melbourne, including a managing optometrist role of a high performing practice in the city prior to joining Leverett and Kindler in 2021.

Ben practices optometry with a patient first philosophy. He enjoys passing on his knowledge to his patients so that they walk away having a good understanding about their eyes. On top of general optometry, Ben’s special interests are in myopia control, including orthokeratology, complex contact lens fittings for keratoconus and dry eye management. Ben is a member of the Cornea & Contact Lens Society of Australia.

Outside of work, Ben likes to keep in touch with family and friends. He enjoys staying active doing adventurous outdoor activities and also enjoys spending time with the people close to him over a good meal. Ben has skills on the piano and guitar as well.

Richard’s passion for optometry originated at the age of eight upon receipt of his first pair of spectacles; an interest that has yet to wane. Richard completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University in 2011 and then went on to graduate the Doctor of Optometry at The University of Melbourne in 2016 which included a two month externship at the State University of New York.

Since graduation Richard has enjoyed working in a diverse range of settings that have provided experience in dry eye management, myopia control, orthokeratology, pre- and post-operative care of cataract and refractive laser patients as well as the medical management of glaucoma. But what Richard loves most of all is getting to know his patients and helping them understand the complexities of the eye and the way we process visual information. In this way, he hopes to recreate for his patients the experience that inspired him to become an optometrist in the first place.

When the working day is done, Richard loves listening to loud music, riding bikes, traveling and cooking (also eating).

Lauren first developed an interest in eyes when studying the unit of visual perception in VCE Psychology. She was amazed by their complexity and wanted to learn more. Optometry has been her dream job ever since, a dream she has now been living for more than nine years.

When she’s not at work, Lauren’s life revolves around her daughters, and if there’s any “me time” left over, she is drinking good coffee and eating good food with the people she loves.

Mark Leverett has been a practicing optometrist for over 40 years. During his early career, Mark was an active member of the Optometry Association of Australia and subsequently a board member of Provision to ensure the strong growth of independent optometry. He is passionate about improving the lives of others through vision care and enjoys optometry for the mix of science, technology and interaction with people it provides. Special interest in contact lenses and dealing with complex spectacle prescriptions.

A Greensborough resident, Mark is also passionate about contributing to the local community. He has been a member of the Rotary Club of Greensborough for thirty years and was president in 2010. He was also president of the Kangaroo Ground Pony Club for seven years.

When he’s not at work or contributing to the community, Mark is travelling, gardening, tinkering in his workshop or spending time with friends and family.

Imogen has been with the Leverett & Kindler team since 2021, and holds a Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing. In 2024 she began her Vision Therapy course with the Australasian College of Behavioural Optometrists. She loves helping children choose their very first pair of glasses and is enjoying working with people of all ages as a student Vision Therapist.