Professor Sharon Bentley

Biography

Professor Sharon Bentley is an optometrist with experience as an educator, researcher, clinician and executive manager. Prior to her appointment as Deputy Dean in 2021, Sharon was Head of the QUT School of Optometry and Vision Science. Her research interests include the impact of vision impairment on functional performance and quality of life, vision and driving, the development of patient reported outcomes for use in clinical trials of new eye treatments (e.g. the bionic eye), the evaluation of eye care services, Indigenous eye care and public health. She is a recipient of an American Academy of Optometry Brazelton Award and a Churchill Fellowship. She is a Diplomate of the Low Vision Section of the American Academy of Optometry, Fellow of the Australian College of Optometry and member of the International Advisory Group for Clinical and Experimental Optometry. Professor Bentley has had executive management experience in a not-for-profit organisation, delivering eye care services to more than 60,000 persons from disadvantaged backgrounds per year. She has been Chair of the Vision 2020 Australia Independence and Participation Committee, and the Optometry Australia Low Vision Working Group. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a non-executive director of Vision Australia.