Envision Optical is a local, independent and family-owned eye care group with locations in Burleigh Waters and Tweed Heads. We aim to provide preventive and on-going eye care to patients of all ages and stages of life.
Our principal optometrist Andrew Bowden strives to introduce leading-edge treatments and technologies to provide exceptional care to our community. You might say he was destined to provide eye care for our community as he is a third-generation optometrist and has witnessed many of the advances in technology and eye treatments that have developed over his lifetime.
To complement his commitment to outstanding patient care, Andrew has selected a talented support team, including our associate optometrists Nicole Arnold, Lyndon Ferguson and Cleo Yip, who have exceptional clinical skills and a gift for making patients feel right at home while they are with us.
Your Eyes Are Our Focus
We personalise our care to meet the needs of the individual and provide all treatment options available, trusting that with the proper information, patients will make the most informed choices for their eyesight and health.
We can’t wait to meet you in person. Until then, you can learn a little more about us by reading below.
Andrew Bowden
Owner, Managing Director, Optometrist
Since graduating from QUT with honours in 1995, Andrew has worked in private practice on the Gold Coast and New Farm in Brisbane. In 2001, he returned to Visions and became a partner in January 2003. After becoming Managing Partner in 2006, Andrew was responsible for the oversight of the ten Visions practices, including business operations and staff management. In addition to this, he also managed to see patients 3-4 days a week!
In 2010, due to changes in the industry and different ideas on how to move forward, the partners disbanded the Visions Group, and Andrew decided to form his own independent eye care brand that could offer Gold Coast residents a unique individualised experience. A local brand, with local relationships, and genuinely part of the local community.
With his wife Honor, an artist, they conceived an eye care brand that would truly create individual solutions for each unique client/patient that walked in the door.
Andrew usually consults at Treetops, Burleigh Waters, and Tweed Heads South each week. His professional passion is providing quality vision and eye health outcomes to his patients.
Andrew is excited to be delivering industry-leading technology in preventative vision and eye health management, including vision correction utilising orthokeratology (Ortho-K) and myopia control lenses, preventative eye health care via nutrition and diet management, particularly in the areas of macular health, dry eyes, and computer-based therapy for binocular vision disorders and reading difficulties.
He is passionate about Envision using cutting edge technology such as OCT scanning, MPOD macular health measurement, and digital scans to provide optimal eye health care. Andrew was one of the first optometrists in Queensland to offer IPL therapy for Dry Eyes.
Andrew completed the SUNY Ocular Therapeutics course in 1997, a post-graduate qualification in business management in 2002 and several short courses through the Australian Institute of Management. He underwent specialty training in Ortho-K in 2004. In 2009, Andrew completed the Graduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics at QUT and became certified to prescribe ocular medications.
He served as a clinical supervisor at QUT from 1998-2000. In 2011, Andrew became a member of the Ocular Nutrition Society of America, to further his knowledge in the area of nutrition in eye care. In 2012, he became an accredited aviation vision examiner for the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, a role he performed until 2023.
In his spare time, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 children, listening to music and attending live shows, travel, cooking and eating out, reading, politics and world events, watching cricket, rugby and basketball, and fishing.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Applied Science, Optometry (Hons) QUT 1995
- SUNY Ocular Therapeutics Certificate 1997
- Graduate Certificate Ocular Therapeutics QUT 2009
- Certificate in Advanced Contact Lenses, Australian College of Optometry 2022
- Certificate Small Business Management 2002
- Diagnostic Ophthalmic Drugs Certificate
Professional Associations:
- Member of the Optometrists Association Australia
- Member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society Australia
- Member of the Orthokeratology Society of Oceania
- Member of the International Academy of Orthokeratology and Myopia Control
- Member of the Ocular Wellness and Nutrition Society
- Member of the International Keratoconus Academy
- Vice President and Treasurer of The Dry Eye Society
Nicole Arnold
Optometrist
After growing up on the Gold Coast, Nicole attended QUT in the same student intake as Andrew. Following graduation in 1995, Nicole moved back to the coast with her husband and worked for various local optometrists.
For the last 10 years, in between raising her four children and helping her husband run their successful surveying and town planning business, Nicole has worked part-time in practices owned by Andrew Bowden. She enjoys general optometry practice and looks forward to her weekly sessions at Tweed Heads.
Away from work, she keeps very busy spending time with her husband Michael and their four children, and enjoys travel and reading good books.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Applied Science Optometry QUT 1995
Professional Associations:
Member of the Optometrists Association Australia
Lyndon Ferguson
Optometrist
Lyndon grew up in the Gold Coast hinterland and gained his optometry degree at QUT. A desire to travel took him to London, where he joined one of the most clinically advanced optometry practices in the U.K., eventually becoming clinical director. Upon returning home to Queensland, Lyndon was delighted to join the team at Envision Optical.
Lyndon has broad clinical experience and professional interests, having worked in both private practice and hospital eye casualty settings. In addition to his undergraduate optometry degree, Lyndon also holds a Master of Science (Clinical Optometry) awarded by City University, London. As part of this study, Lyndon conducted research investigating the management of dry eye and ocular surface disease. He also has a Diploma of Therapeutics (IP), which means he is allowed to prescribe prescription only medicines for the treatment of eye disease. Lyndon holds additional post graduate qualifications in contact lenses, dry eye disease, glaucoma and medical retina (age-related macula degeneration and diabetic eye disease). He also has a keen interest in myopia management (slowing the progression of short-sightedness).
Lyndon is very much a ‘people person’ who loves getting to know his patients. outside of work, Lyndon enjoys cycling, and is always happy to receive gardening tips to help with his veggie patch!
Christina Bormann
Optometrist
Christina grew up on the Gold Coast and gained her optometry degrees at QUT in Brisbane, a Bachelor of Vision Science and Master of Optometry, both with distinction. As a part of her clinical accreditation, she is a therapeutically endorsed optometrist, which allows her to prescribe prescription-only medicines for the treatment of eye disease.
Christina also has an eight-year background in independent optometry, in optics as a dispenser, and loves getting to know her patients and has built genuine connections with her community. She enjoys engaging in eye health conversations, debunking myths, and spreading awareness regarding the importance of regular eye exams and likes to take the time to understand your lifestyle needs, to find the right solutions for you and your eyes. Outside of optometry, she enjoys getting outdoors in nature at the beach, going for a hike or a long run.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Vision Science with Distinction, 2021
- Master of Optometry with Distinction, 2023
Professional Associations:
- Member of the Dry Eye Society
- Member of the Cornea and Contact Lens Society of Australia
Melissa Mudge
Optical Dispenser, Tweed Branch Manager
After graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science from Griffith University in 1997, Melissa began her career in optics in 1998 with a large national chain. She completed her Optical Dispensing studies in 2001, graduating with Distinction. In 2002, she was promoted to store manager, before joining the Tweed Heads branch in 2005 as our optical dispensing branch manager.
Melissa has also completed post-graduate studies in retail and business management and is a certified contact lens coach. She has also undergone clinical training in visual field testing and OCT scanning and performs these tests on patients.
Melissa is renowned in the Tweed area for her excellent technical knowledge and outstanding service.
Outside of work, Melissa loves her horses, her dog, gym, spending time and travelling with her husband.
Ann Tree
Optical Dispenser
Ann joined the Tweed Heads practice in late 2004 after many years working in the dentistry field. She has built up an excellent knowledge base in helping people with the latest in lens technology and picking the latest frame styles from the extensive collection on offer at Tweed.
Ann also enjoys the practice focus on integrating high-tech options into our optical solutions. She also enjoys the team camaraderie at Tweed with the focus on great service to our local patients.
Outside of work, Ann loves spending time with her family, going to the beach, camping, Thai food and her ongoing obsession with the Newcastle Knights!
Piper Tosh
Optical Dispenser
Piper was born in Newcastle and moved to Tweed Heads when she was young. Piper joined the Envision family in February 2021 after completing her HSC at St Joseph's College Banora Point. New into the world of optics, but enthusiastically learning about everything she can, Piper is excited to have finished her studies, receiving a Certificate 4 in Optical Dispensing in 2023. She loves the opportunity to help others. Outside of work, Piper loves a relaxing day at one of her local beaches or spending quality time with family and friends.