Researching an optician (or optometrist) who stocks knockout eyewear can be a challenge. In the same way that every client is different, every optician differs, too. How do you distinguish between a good optician and a great one? Or between an optician who places equal value on clinical expertise and on-trend, fashionable frames? How do you find one that meets your values and provides sustainable, eco-friendly options? Fear not; we have the answers. And let’s be clear: we’d love you to become part of the Taank family, but our primary focus is always to give you the information you need to get the excellent eye care you deserve. 

Here, we walk you through the ten most important considerations to assess before taking the plunge and making that first appointment.

1. Eye Exam Length

   Twenty minutes is the typical time many UK opticians take to evaluate your eye health. But a really good optician will invest 45 minutes conducting your clinical assessment and leave time to get to know you, your lifestyle, and job to ensure you get tailored recommendations.

2. Eyewear Quality

   Only a select few independent opticians stock premium eyewear from small eyewear brands that are obsessive about craftsmanship, quality materials, and head-turning designs. Ask any prospective opticians where they source their frames to get a sense of their quality.

3. Free Styling Consultations

   A great optician makes fitting and styling pleasurable, engaging, and rewarding. It’s vital you receive expert guidance in a no-pressure, relaxed setting–you should never feel obliged to buy.

4. re They Truly Experts?

   To remain registered and able to carry out eye exams, optometrists must be professionally qualified and undertake continued education and training annually. Anjana works in the Glaucoma Clinic at Addenbrooke’s Hospital and is continuously updating her skills to meet the demands of this role. Our other optometrists receive ongoing training to meet the high clinical standards required at Taank.

   And what about the people who help you choose glasses after your eye exam? Taank’s expert stylists are specially trained directly by eyewear designers and have years of experience helping clients choose frames and lenses. They visit the European trade shows, are heavily involved in selecting our collections, and are passionate about working with the best, most exciting eyewear brands.

   In short, a great optician will only employ eyewear geeks who are obsessive about frames and all things optical.

5. Do They Care About Style?

   To some opticians, eyewear is functional. Whether your optician values style is a cue that indicates whether they care about how you look. Have they invested in a beautiful practice? Do they present themselves well? Do they have a flair for good design when they advise on frames?

6. Free Flexible Payment Options

   Everyone’s different concerning how much they want to invest in eyewear, so the best opticians give you options to spread payments over three to six months–without extra costs, interests, or credit checks.

7. What Do People Say About Them?

   Do a little homework by checking their website and Google and Facebook reviews. Taank is proud to have more than 200 five-star reviews across its platforms.

8. Are They Successful?

   One marker of a popular optician is how busy they are. At Taank, our business is built on referrals. We all know that people enthusiastically refer businesses to friends and family when they’ve had a great experience.

9. What Do They Stand For?

   If you’re looking for quality and expertise, it’s important to understand your optician’s values. At Taank, we stand behind the following six promises:

• • We stock only the highest quality frames and lenses to ensure your eyewear stands the test of time.
  • Our eyewear collections are the latest our brands have to offer. They represent the best independent, niche eyewear design anywhere in the world, all under one roof.
  • We invest in state-of-the-art lenses that deliver the greatest comfort and sharpest possible vision.
  • We supply specialist eyewear in limited quantities to ensure exclusivity to our clients.
  • We invest in industry research, ongoing training, professionally qualified eyewear experts, and trips to international trade shows to deliver the best to eye care and guidance.
  • You enjoy a customer service experience that’s friendly, personal, and helpful every single time.

Now you’re armed with the information and questions you need to find a genuinely outstanding optician, you can start your search in earnest. If you’re looking for a great Cambridge optician, we’d be delighted to welcome you into our practice to meet the team. We provide practical advice and suggestions that make choosing eyewear easy.

Book a time to chat to a member of our team today!