We’re dedicated to your eye health
At See Side Optical, you’re not just a patient or a customer, you’re a part of our family, and you’ll always be welcomed with a smile. We’re dedicated to providing the highest standard of optical care, with three experienced and qualified optometrists and six optical dispensers on hand, six days a week.
Proudly independent and locally-owned, we’ve been caring for our wonderful Thirroul community and beyond, since we first opened our doors in 2006. Ours is not a one-size-fits-most service, we have a patient-centred approach and can tailor the right eye care solution to your unique and individual needs.
Meet the team
Sonya Broadhead & Linda Simpson
Our optometrists
Nuong Turner
A regular eye checkup as a teenager, due to headaches and eye strain, inspired Nuong to study optometry. Graduating from UNSW with a Bachelor Degree in Optometry, she went on to do further study to qualify in Ocular Therapeutics, with a special interest in children’s vision and behavioural optometry. Now with almost 30 years’ experience, Nuong loves the broad scope of practice as an optometrist, caring for children and families as well as the retired and elderly. In her downtime, Nuong enjoys cooking and playing basketball.
Manuel Combes
Elias Combes
A therapeutically qualified ophthalmic medicine prescriber, Elias completed his Bachelor of Optometry and Vision Science at UNSW in 2012. Elias has been working in independent optometry since graduating, initially working in Sydney, then in the Illawarra region since 2015. Outside of work, Elias enjoys surfing and is a keen sports fan.
Our optical dispensers
Sonya Broadhead
Linda Simpson
Linda loves the diversity and variety of her work and going that extra mile for her customers, be it helping them to choose their first pair of glasses or assisting someone with a complex prescription. As a trained and qualified optical dispenser, Linda brings a dedicated 35 years’ experience to her role as co-founder of See Side Optical, in partnership with Sonya. When she’s not going above and beyond for her customers, Linda enjoys spending time outdoors in the sunshine, exploring new walking tracks, bike riding and spending time with her family.
Natalie Benge
With almost 20 years’ experience as a qualified optical dispenser, Natalie has been a part of See Side Optical since 2011. Completing her two-year Optical Dispensing course at Ultimo TAFE, Natalie worked for several years in the industry, returning after starting a family. When she’s not solving optical problems for her customers, Natalie loves a good gym session paired with a hot chocolate chaser for that perfect lifestyle balance.
Jackie Overton
A qualified optical dispenser for over 30 years, Jackie has been part of See Side Optical for 15 of those, and credits the happy work environment of the practice as a big factor in the positive experiences of their patients. Jackie loves helping them find the right product for their needs. Outside of work, Jackie’s family keeps her busy but she enjoys getting outdoors and making the most of the beautiful area she lives in.
Leah Windeyer
For Leah, it’s all about being part of a team of like-minded people and helping her local community. A qualified and licenced optical dispenser with over 23 years’ experience, Leah loves the people-focus of her work. In her spare time, Leah enjoys spending time with her family and friends, especially along the beautiful south coast, with a good mystery novel or architecture magazine in tow.
Imogen Fowles
Joining the See Side Optical team in 2022, Imogen loves the supportive and positive environment at the practice. Currently studying for her Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing at the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing, Imogen is due to be fully qualified as an optical dispenser. When she’s not studying or working hard, Annie enjoys playing hockey and going to the gym .
