Domiciliary Award **NEW CATEGORY**
Winner: Optomise
A phenomenal response to this new category yielding six strong finalists. However on the shortlist was one entrant that caught the judges’ eye with its holistic approach to patients and focus on home care. The winner, said the judges, emphasises training and has forged links with hospitals to bring extended care to patients in their own homes.
Finalists
Connect Eyecare
Derby1 Domiciliary Specsavers
Newcastle2 Home Visits
OutsideClinic
Raymond White, Optometrist
Clinical Leader of the Future Award **NEW CATEGORY**
Winner: Kishan Devraj, Moorfields Eye Hospital
Sponsored by:
The panel selected the winner for a cogent vision for how the profession could work with others to benefit the public. The entry was praised for encompassing Artificial Intelligence and technology likely to shape the future of the profession.
Finalists
Esha Dutta, Vision Express
Krupa Mistry, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
The Myopia Management Award
Winner: Craig McArthur, Peter Ivins Eye Care
Sponsored by:
The judges commented on how quickly myopia management has progressed with many entrants offering a wide range of lifestyle and technologically-led programmes. The winner hit all the bases with excellent communication, screening, technology, education and early-wear support.
Finalists
Iain Johnson, Johnson and Leatherbarrow Opticians
Deven Lakhani, Hammond Opticians
Keyur Patel, Tompkins Knight & Son Optometrists
Bhavin Shah, Central Vision Opticians
Alex Smith, Michael Offord Optometrist
Dispensing Optician of the Year
Winner: Gill Thorp, Airedale Opticians
The panel praised the finalists for their dedication to dispensing. They chose a winner who excels in providing services that aren’t always readily available in the High Street. This is a DO who does all the things expected of them and is changing patients’ lives for the better, said the panel. They continue to develop their skills and are an example to other professionals.
Finalists
Paul Davies, Nicklins Opticians
Scott O'Neill, Doctor Oculus
Helena Stengel, Anstee & Proctor Opticians
Lisa Whittaker, Eyes on the Moor
Optometrist of the Year
Winner: Dr Martin Smith, Martin Smith Opticians
Sponsored by:
The victor is an optom the judges described as practicing the ‘next level’ of optometry. They have all the qualifications and equipment, but more importantly bring those to bear for the benefit of patients. An optom excelling while finding time to promote the profession and help peers.
Finalists
Lloyd Griffiths, Lloyd Griffiths Eyecare
Mohammed Hafejee, Airedale Opticians
Elaine Hawthorn, Specsavers Opticians, Stranraer
Michael Offord, Michael Offord Optometrist
Sheena Tanna-Shah, Inspiring Success/Vision Express
Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year
Winner: Marc Drake, Osmond Drake Opticians
Sponsored by:
The judges described the winner as someone who understands the importance of contact lenses in people's lives. This nominee has taken an interest in non-clinical aspects including ancillary training and commercial pricing to ensure patients’ access to products and services. ‘Great evidence of continual professional development putting the patient at the centre of practice’, said one judge.
Finalists
Rebecca Donnelly, Lynne Fernandes Optometrists
Nicola Hughes, Specsavers Macclesfield
Rebecca Rietdyke, Johnson and Leatherbarrow Opticians
The Lens Award
Winner: Carl Zeiss Vision
The judges rewarded a focus on sustainability and environmental impact with two new innovative lenses introduced by the winner: Both come with a price-tag for their retail partners offering accessible technology, said the panel.
Finalists
HOYA Lens
Shamir
Younger Optics Europe
The Frame Award
Winner: Eyespace Eyewear
Our shortlist are all dedicated followers of fashion, but the judges chose a supplier that they said had done some serious thinking. This included research into facial characteristics, engaging with professionals, environmentally-friendly materials and understanding customers. This is a firm trusted in the profession, said the judges.
Finalists
Continental Eyewear (Part of Millmead Optical Group)
L.A.Eyeworks
The Contact Lens Award
Winner: mark'ennovy
Two contact lens suppliers with customer service at their core went head to head in this category. The judges opted for the one they said demonstrated an edge through a strong entry showing a diverse range of offerings and excellent customer support.
Finalist
Menicon
The Technology Award
Winner: Blueworks OIMS
Some excellent, and diverse, ideas but the winner demonstrated how technology can bridge the gap between primary and secondary care. The chosen entry uses technology offering the potential to make a positive and valuable contribution to patients’ lives on a national scale, said the judges.
Finalists
Harrison Coley Opticians
Mainline Instruments
Ocumetra
Optos
Rodenstock
Optical Supplier Award
Winner: Practice Building
Sustainability was a theme throughout this category, but the winner wowed the judges with its innovative approach to achieving goals. Through science and evidence-based work with their clients, the successful entrant has helped practices become more sustainable with a ‘how-to-do-it’ attitude and practical approach.
Finalists
Optimum Coatings Rx Lens Specialists
Optoplast (Part of Millmead Optical Group)
Seiko Optical
Social Media Practice of the Year
Winner: Pearce & Blackmore Opticians
The judges described the winning practice’s approach as informative and direct. Its use of social media prioritised useful information over sales pitches which was appreciated by the panel. Our winner uses a wide variety of platforms and maintains clear and simple branding. The ethos of the practice is well communicated while the content is relevant, inclusive and helpful.
Finalists
Loxley Opticians & Eyewear Experts
Yorkshire Eyewear
Technology Practice of the Year
Winner: Buchanan Optometrists
Sponsored by:
Some super practices, but the winner was an exceptionally well-equipped practice which takes a logical approach to the use of technology. This practice uses technology more commonly found in the hospital service and it is using that to accelerate its partnership with secondary care.
Finalists
Harrison Coley Opticians
Maskell + Josephson
Orr & Simpson Eye Care
Safarian and Simon Opticians
Fashion Practice of the Year
Winner: Rachel Murray Eyecare
Sponsored by:
All beautiful practices, but our panel singled out one which brought an extra sense of style. This entrant offers superb customer care conducted in a beautifully set-out practice. It takes a minimalistic approach which embodies an understanding of luxury retailing. By stocking just a single frame from each collection it ensures local exclusivity to discerning customers.
Finalists
Albert Road Opticians
Dickens Eye Clinic
Dipple & Conway Opticians
Norma Davies Opticians
The Optical Gallery
Contact Lens Practice of the Year
Winner: Park Vision
Sponsored by:
Another closely-fought fight but one practice stormed to victory. It won the judges over with a wide suite of products, great technology, good use of social media and innovative communication. From children’s services, to contact lens buddies and dry eye clinics, this practice did everything to ensure contact lens success. The entrant said education and investment had elevated the practice: the judges agreed.
Finalists
Camden Contact Lens Centre
Maskell + Josephson
Specsavers, Derby
Specsavers, Keighley
Optical Assistant Team of the Year
Winner: Rach Optometrists
Sponsored by:
The judges rewarded a practice team that works together and communicates well. More importantly it recognises when things go wrong and puts them right to achieve a good outcome for patients.
Finalists
Allegro Optical
David Burghardt Vision Care
Saffron Eyecare
Specsavers, Hucknall
Yorkshire Eyewear
Multiple Practice of the Year
Winner: Specsavers, Northampton
Sponsored by:
Personalisation for the patient and adapting services caught the judges’ eye in this category. The winner was praised for sharing evidence of success and demonstrating a commitment to training and implementing it for the benefit of patients. This practice is also keen to pick up on patient feedback to adapt services in the future.
Finalists
Boots Opticians, Congleton
Specsavers, Bingley
Specsavers, Weedon Road
Vision Express, Swiss Cottage
Independent Practice of the Year
Winner: Buchanan Optometrists
Sponsored by:
Congratulations to all of the practices on this shortlist in a fiercely-fought category.
The judges chose a winner with a commitment to a truly personalised service, featuring innovative elements before, during and after a consultation. The victor demonstrates good product and technology investment. Its video marketing starts the patient journey early while individualised care and great use of the PMS brings a personal touch.
Finalists
Davies & Jones Optometrists
Mr Jinkinsons
Pearce and Blackmore Opticians
Wood Street Opticians
