Claire Dowey was born in Northern Ireland but grew up in Senegal, West Africa. She studied Optometry at the University of Ulster, Coleraine and completed her pre-registration year at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London in 2009. She has since  achieved a Post-grad Diploma in Refractive and Cataract Surgery and most recently a Professional Certificate in Medical Retina. She is a keen volleyball player who plays for her local team Aztecs and for the Northern Ireland Senior Women’s team.