1: How Long Is The Eye Examination?

Did you know that the average eye exam in the UK is just 20 minutes long? While that might be enough time for a quick check-up, it really doesn’t leave much room for discussion or tailoring the experience to your needs. Plus, if there are any complex issues to explore, good luck getting into those in detail with such a short appointment!

At Perspective, we do things a bit differently. We offer a full 60-minute eye exam, which means our optometrists can really take their time to get to know you and your eyes. This extra time helps us spot any early health concerns and make sure your vision is as sharp as can be.

But it’s not just about the exam itself! We’ll also dive into your preferences, how you use your vision day-to-day, and what kind of work you do. This way, you get personalized advice and practical solutions that fit right into your life.

So, there’s a big difference between a quick 20-minute appointment where you’re rushed out the door and having a whole hour to chat with an expert about everything that really matters. We think you’ll love the extra time and care!

2: What Type Of Eyewear Do They Specialise In?

So, what kind of eyewear do they really specialise in? Well, here’s the dirty secret: most designer frames you see out there are churned out for the mass market by big global companies. They just slap a different designer logo on each pair and hike up the price. These jelly mould frames are everywhere, filling the shelves of mainstream opticians and stores all over the world.

But here’s where it gets exciting! A few independent opticians stand out from the crowd by specializing in niche eyewear. They work with small, passionate eyewear design companies that truly care about creating pieces you’ll adore wearing. We’re talking about handmade frames crafted with the highest quality materials—perfect for those who want something a little more special and unique.

If you’re on the hunt for eyewear that sets you apart from the usual styles, niche eyewear is definitely the way to go! Don’t be shy—ask your opticians where they source their frames. The best ones will light up as they share their journey of discovering fabulous eyewear from around the globe, handpicking each style just for you to enjoy.

3: Do They Offer You A Free Styling Consultation, Without Any Obligation Or Pressure To Buy?

Let’s be honest: a lot of people really dread shopping for glasses. The whole process can feel painful, confusing, and way too time-consuming. But don’t worry—at Perspective, we’ve got a much better way to find your perfect pair!

Forget about randomly trying on frames and getting frustrated. With our eyewear styling consultation, you’ll receive personalized advice and one-on-one service that makes the whole experience enjoyable. No more scratching your head while fumbling through a sea of frames that don’t fit or flatter you!

During your consultation, our styling optician will start by asking about your preferences and sharing tips on what frame styles suit your face shape. Then, they’ll show you a fantastic selection from our collection, that you might not have even considered.

Think of the eyewear styling consultation as a fun opportunity to explore the right frames for you in a relaxed, no-pressure atmosphere. You’ll have the support of an eyewear professional who’s there to help you make the best choice, without any obligation to buy straight away.

Choosing the right eyewear should be a thoughtful and enjoyable experience, and we’re here to guide you every step of the way. So, come on in and let’s find the perfect pair together!

4: Are They Truly Experts?

While optometrists must be professionally qualified and undergo ongoing training every year to perform eye examinations, the situation can be quite different when it comes to the person helping you choose your eyewear.

Dispensing Opticians are also qualified professionals who can help you pick out your frames, recommend the right lenses based on your prescription, and adjust your eyewear for the best fit and comfort. However, the regulations here are much less strict, which means you’ll often find unqualified sales assistants in many optician practices.

In fact, in a typical practice, you might encounter one qualified dispensing optician surrounded by several unqualified staff members. This can leave you feeling a bit unsure about the advice you’re getting!

But here at Perspective, we do things differently. We ONLY employ qualified dispensing opticians who are highly trained to provide you with the best eyewear solutions tailored to your needs. When you visit us, you can rest assured that you’ll always be seen by an expert who will take the time with to get it just right.

5: Do They Understand Style?

If you need to wear glasses, let’s face it—you want to look good, feel confident, and make the right impression! Unfortunately, many opticians treat glasses as just a functional necessity and seem to overlook the style factor entirely.

If you want to rock your eyewear, it’s essential to get advice from someone who truly understands style. Take a look around the practice: how have they set up their space? What do they wear themselves? Do they show a genuine passion for design when they’re helping you choose frame styles?

At Perspective, we believe you deserve far more than just the basics. We’re all about helping you find the perfect pair of glasses that not only meet your vision needs but also match your personal style. You’ll leave feeling fabulous and confident

6: Do They Offer Flexible Payment Options?

When it comes to choosing your eyewear, your optician should offer you a range of options and guidance on what will work best for you. And let’s not forget about payment! We think it’s important to have flexible payment options that suit your budget.

You’ll be wearing those new glasses for a few years, so the best opticians will allow you to spread the cost over 10 months without any extra charges, interest, or credit checks.

At Perspective, we make things simple with our Easy Eyewear Plan, letting you spread the cost of your eyewear at no additional charge. Our goal is to make your experience as smooth as possible—whether it’s finding the right frames, how you like your coffee, or how you prefer to pay. We’ve got you covered!

7: What Do Their Reviews Say? Do They Have a Great Reputation?

When it comes to choosing an optician, reviews are like gold! Are there lots of glowing testimonials and five-star ratings from happy customers? A handful of reviews can be comforting, but there’s a world of difference between a few generic comments and a treasure trove of enthusiastic feedback.

So, do a little detective work! Check out their reviews, and don’t forget to peek at their website for testimonials from real clients. For instance, at Perspective, we’re proud to boast over 200 five-star reviews across Google, Facebook, and Yell! That’s right—five stars all around! If you want to see what our clients are saying in their own words, hop on over to www.perspectiveopticians.co.uk and take a look for yourself!

8: Are They Highly Successful?

Now, you might wonder, why does success matter? Why choose a busy practice that isn’t the cheapest option? Well, when you find a place like Perspective, which has been caring for clients’ eyes for over 20 years without splurging millions on ads, you know you’ve hit the jackpot! Our success has come from word-of-mouth referrals, which means our clients are thrilled and eager to spread the word.

People don’t rave about a business unless they’ve had a fabulous experience. Trust is key, and we work hard to earn it. With us, you’ll never find shortcuts; our dispensing opticians and optometrists are highly trained to deliver top-notch results. After all, when it comes to your eyewear and eyecare, we believe in nothing less than excellence!

9: What Do They Stand For?

Okay, let’s talk about values. Specsavers might tempt you with glasses starting at £25, and you can find even cheaper options online. But here’s the million-dollar question: do you want the lowest price or the best quality and expertise? Knowing what your optician stands for is crucial.

At Perspective, our mission is simple: we want to make your life look better! We stand by 6 promises to ensure you get the best care possible:

1. We will treat your eyes like our own. Our experienced optometrists are dedicated to helping you achieve the best vision throughout every stage of your life.

2. Quality is absolute. We only supply the highest quality frames and lenses, so your glasses last and perform beautifully.

3. Exclusive eyewear. Our selection features the finest independent eyewear designs from around the globe, giving you access to styles that are simply stunning. We offer niche eyewear in limited quantities, ensuring your glasses are as unique as you are.

4. Cutting-edge lenses. We’re constantly investing in state-of-the-art lens technology that will offer you the sharpest vision possible.

5. Expert advice. Our team is committed to ongoing training and industry research, so you always receive the best recommendations.

6. Exceptional customer service. We promised to deliver an experience that is personal, friendly, and helpful. We hope it also makes your day.

So, when you choose Perspective, you’re not just getting an optician—you’re joining a community that genuinely cares about your eye health and style!

David is a longtime patient of mine, and a very nice chap. Due to the pandemic, it had been a while since Dave’s last check-up, but he wasn’t worried and just felt things weren’t as sharp as they used to be, especially after celebrating couple more birthdays!

During the examination, I discovered some early signs of cataracts, which could definitely explain why his vision wasn’t quite as clear as his last visit. Thankfully, we had years of previous OCT scans to compare, and they helped me spot some subtle changes in his optic nerves.

I also checked his field of vision and found early signs of sensitivity loss in the outer edges of his peripheral vision.

I referred David straight to Mr Ressiniotis at the Midland Eye, who quickly ruled out glaucoma and made a further referral to neurology, as he also felt there could be issues with his pituitary gland.

Unfortunately, MRI scans at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital revealed a large pituitary tumour which was the cause of those visual changes, and also some health issues David was having.

The pituitary gland sits right at the base of your brain, and it’s very close to the optic nerves, which are like the highways for visual information from your eyes to your brain. When a tumour starts to grow, it can put pressure on these nerves. Imagine it like a traffic jam—everything gets a bit backed up! This pressure can lead to problems like blurred vision or even loss of your side vision.

One common issue is something called bitemporal hemianopia, which basically means you might lose vision on the outer edges of both eyes. It’s like trying to look at a picture but only seeing the middle part.

Also, the pituitary gland is like the body’s control centre for hormones, which regulate lots of processes in our bodies. If a tumour affects those hormones, it can also lead to several health problems.

Although far from ideal and a significant shock, a plan could now be made to treat the problem.

David underwent some complex endoscopic brain surgery to remove the tumour and relieve the pressure on his optic nerves. Thankfully, the operation was a resounding success! Thanks to the skill and care of the surgical team at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, David has made an amazing recovery.

Fast forward two years, and I’m pleased to report that David’s general health is excellent, and even those areas of vision loss have improved significantly. It’s a fantastic outcome!

While conditions like this are relatively rare, David’s experience serves as a great reminder: even if you think your vision is fine, it’s very important to see your optometrist for regular check-ups—at least every couple of years. You never know; it might just save your life!

Dry eye syndrome is a common condition that can cause discomfort, blurry vision, and irritation. Here are 10 top tips to help manage and alleviate dry eye symptoms:

1. Use Artificial Tears: Over-the-counter artificial tears provide immediate relief for dry eyes by mimicking natural tears. Choose preservative-free drops for frequent use, as preservatives can sometimes irritate the eyes. We recommend Theoloz Duo or Systane Complete. You cannot over use dry eye drops….if in doubt put more in!

2. Take Regular Breaks from Screens: Staring at digital screens reduces your blink rate, leading to eye dryness. Follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce strain.

3. Stay Hydrated: Proper hydration is essential for tear production. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body, including your eyes, wellhydrated.

4. Use a Humidifier: Dry indoor air, especially during winter or in air-conditioned environments, can exacerbate dry eyes. A humidifier helps maintain moisture in the air, preventing your eyes from drying out.

5. Wear Sunglasses Outdoors: Wind and direct sunlight can worsen dry eye symptoms. Wear wraparound sunglasses to shield your eyes from environmental irritants and protect against dryness.

6. Consider Omega-3 Supplements: Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil have been shown to improve the quality of tears and reduce inflammation. Incorporate omega-3-rich foods or supplements into your diet.

7. Use a Heat Mask daily: A warm compress or heat mask 10 minutes a day can help unblock oil glands in the eyelids, which aids in producing the oily layer of tears. This helps prevent tear evaporation and soothes irritated eyes. The heat must be applied for at least 10 minutes to make a difference.

8. Blink Often: Make a conscious effort to blink more frequently, especially when concentrating on tasks like reading or working on a computer. Blinking spreads moisture across your eyes.

9. Avoid Smoke and Pollutants: Smoke, pollution, and even dust can worsen dry eyes. Try to avoid exposure to these irritants as much as possible.

10. See an Eye Specialist: If dry eye symptoms persist, consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist. They can diagnose the underlying cause and recommend tailored treatments, like prescription eye drops or punctal plugs.

With these tips, you can help reduce the discomfort of dry eyes and protect your eye health.

In the early '90s, fashion designers began putting their names on eyewear frames, sparking the rise of “designer glasses.” But despite the premium price, these glasses are not as exclusive as they seem.

It’s BIG Business!

Two major eyewear manufacturers hold licenses for most designer brands and mass-produce frames in the same factories. They simply stamp different logos on similar designs, allowing them to charge a premium. These companies prioritize quantity over individuality, creating generic, one-size-fits-all frames that often don’t fit petite or larger head sizes properly.

Their focus is on mass appeal, not unique style. To maximize sales, they distribute their products widely through high street opticians, online retailers and department stores. To control things further they even own major retail chains like Vision Express, David Cluelow and Sunglass Hut. Heavy advertising builds an illusion of luxury, but in reality, brand image trumps design and quality.

The Big Fib

The big myth is, “Buy our brand, and you’re unique!” But the reality is quite the opposite. These so-called “designer” glasses are mass-produced by the same companies, widely available, and aimed at the mainstream market. With only a few companies dominating the industry, innovation in design and technology has stalled.

Most designer glasses look alike, focusing more on brand image than real style or comfort. They stick to safe, generic designs that anyone can wear, but none will stand out. Trendsetting is left to true eyewear innovators.

Luxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company, generates over €6.8 billion annually, producing more than 70% of designer eyewear brands. Over half a billion people wear their products, even if they’ve never heard the name.

Have you noticed how a lot of the frames in most opticians all look the same shape, size and colour?

Now you know the reasons for that!

The TRUE Eyewear Designers

You Should Know About In contrast, a growing number of independent niche eyewear designers are redefining the industry with their passion for bold, innovative designs. These creators focus on individuality, crafting frames with unique shapes and styles meant for specific tastes and face shapes. They design for the one person who will look amazing in their frames, not for the masses.

Their originality shines through in striking shapes, varied colours, and distinctive finishes. Produced in limited quantities, these frames are available only at select independent opticians who share their values. As a result, customers get a truly exclusive, one-of-a-kind frame —something that won’t be found in mainstream stores or on every other face, offering the individuality many seek but rarely find.

“The world has become a ubiquitous shopping mall. Brand after brand is everywhere and anywhere. When you find a niche brand that you do not see everywhere; that scarcity creates an emotional feeling”

Mickey Drexler