As a little girl who wore glasses, Victoria Gore was a regular visitor to her local optician where she looked in wonder at the odd-looking contraptions used to test her eyes.

Such was her interest that she was inspired to become an optician herself, and now Victoria has opened her own optometrist business in Queensbury.

At St Joseph's College, Manningham, she did A-levels in maths, physics and chemistry, then a BSc degree in optometry at Bradford University.

"There were only six universities doing it then - I think there are eight now, " she says. "I knew I wanted to do something medical but wasn't really into the idea of dentistry or being a doctor. I'd grown used to being in an optician's, as I'd always worn glasses, and I felt drawn to it. I was the only girl in my year at school who did optometry."

After gaining a first class honours degree at university Victoria spent a 'pre-registry year' at Specsavers in Bradford working under supervision.

"I took ten exams at the end which I passed first time, " she recalls. "They're a combination of oral and practical exams which involve you being tested on how you test patients. Once you have a degree in optometry and have passed your first year exams you're a fully qualified optometrist (optician), and a member of the College of Optometrists.

"There's ongoing training on the job, learning about new equipment and treatments."

Victoria, 28, continued working at Specsavers before moving to an independent opticians where she worked for six years before setting up her own business.

"I'd always wanted to work for an independent optician as I like the more personal approach with clients, " she says. "I liked the idea of running my own business and when the time was right I went for it. My husband, Steve, is doing the books so it's a joint venture."

Victoria wore spectacles as a child and says that, despite the advancement of contact lenses, glasses have become more fashionable among youngsters.

Stars like Billie Piper and Jude Law are often snapped sporting designer specs and there's no longer a stigma attached to wearing glasses.

"There's such a wide range of glasses around now. It's trendy to wear them. Sometimes young girls are upset when I tell them they don't need glasses!" she laughs. "For older people, wearing glasses for the first time is an admission that they're getting older and it can take some getting used to, but once they've found frames to suit them most people are okay with it."

Victoria, who recently returned to work after having her daughter Deanna, now aged ten months, recommends eye tests every two years.

"It's a straightforward procedure but some people get worked up about it, " she says. "I put people at ease. It's a case of working out their prescription from a series of eye tests, and testing for glaucoma by checking eye pressure and peripheral or field vision. I use an instrument allowing me to look at the whole of the eye so I can check the general health of eyes.

"Sometimes people come along who've never worn glasses and have got used to having poor eyesight. It's quite worrying, especially when you consider they've been driving around for years not being able to see too clearly.

"People tend to think computers have made our eyesight worse but there's no evidence to prove this. I think we tend to pick up more on it because using computers is quite a detailed visual occupation.

"The technology used in optometry hasn't changed much since I qualified but laser treatments have become cheaper and more accessible.

People seem to know a lot more about them now. And there are many types of contact lense around."

Victoria advises anyone wanting to become an optometrist to choose science A-levels: "You need maths and two out of the three sciences and a specialist degree in optometry. It's a nice job if you enjoy meeting people and very rewarding when you've helped someone see more clearly. It makes such a difference to your life."

Victoria is holding an open day at her business, Victoria Gore Optometrist, in High Street, Queensbury, on Saturday, April 8, from 9am to 4pm.

"It's a chance for people to come and look at equipment, have a chat and light refreshments and learn a bit more about what goes on, " she says.

Her husband Steve, a magician and member of Bradford Magic Circle, will be treating visitors to some 'optical illusions'.

To find out more about becoming an optometrist ring the College of Optometrists on (0207) 8396000.