Keith Masnick graduated in 1966 with a B. Optom with Honours from the University of New South Wales. In 1966 he carried research into corneal changes under contact lenses while working as the clinical director.During his continued studies (1967-69), he worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital (Haptic Lenses) and Haddasah Hospital in Israel (Facial rehabilitation). Following graduation with a Masters in Optometry in 1970 from UNSW he opened a private practice while working on designing hydrophilic lenses and published a world-first paper on the effects on corneal curvature under hydrophilic lenses. He also co-authored a world-first paper on toric hydrophilic lenses with Professor Brien Holden in 1973 at the same time as he became the second Australian to be awarded the contact lens diploma of the The American Academy of Optometry. From 1974 to 1980 Keith researched and lectured in contact lenses in what became the CCLRU  and, in 1980 having completed an MBA in 1976, set up a course in professional development in the School of Optometry and Vision Science. Keith was a councillor of the NSW OAA 91986- 2003) and was made a life member on retirement from the Council. He has been been president of the Contact Lens Society (1975 and 1984), was the founding chair of the Contact Lens Society diploma and was awarded Distinguished Membership of the CCLSA IN 2004. Keith was co-chair of the World Council of Optometry Legislation Committee from 1992 – 2004 and was Chairman of the NSW Optometric Registration Board (1986 - 2003). In 2003 Keith began a doctorate in health workforce planning and modelling in the UNSW Faculty of Medicine while also lecturing at Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok. After completing his Masters of Public Health and his doctorate he lectured in the Faculty of Medicine at UNSW, Sydney and the University of Notre Dame. In 2013 he finished a Master of Arts in International Relations and currently works as a consultant with both the Gates Foundation and the Chinese Government’s Workforce Project finished in Central Africa. He has published and consulted in health system modelling.