Birstall Optician, Leicester

What do you do at Opticare?

I am an Optometrist / Director and I've worked for Opticare since 2007.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes I wear glasses most of the time and contact lenses socially. I love the fashion side of specs and the different colours/styles now available. My favourite brand right now is Etnia Barcelona.

What does a typical day at Opticare look like?

The variety each day brings! No one patient is the same, and I enjoy meeting so many different people, looking after patients year on year!

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

I was really proud to have won a national award for student of the year in 2015, closely followed by passing my pre-reg exams in 2017 - it was a long hard road, but worth it! When I'm not working I try to keep fit going to the gym 4/5 times a week, and I love to socialise with friends.

What do you do at Opticare?

I am an optometrist and Co-founder / Director of Opticare Opticians

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

I wear multifocal gas permeable contact lenses which allowed me to do all my daily tasks and hobbies easily.

What does a typical day at Opticare look like?

I don't consider anything typical with my daily work. Each day presents with a new challenge and different patient experiences. I enjoy with my work is being able to see so many diverse people on a daily basis, and being able to build long-term professional relationships with them.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

I enjoy travelling and eating a variety of different cuisines. My favourite holiday destination is probably Cape Town in South Africa. The people are lovely and the city is so rich with culture.

What do you do at Opticare?

Optometrist & Director, I occasionally locummed for Opticare since 2013, and joined full time in 2017.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

I have a very small prescription so occasionally wear prescription sunglasses. I like that my pair of Ray Ban sunglasses are both prescription and authentic Ray-Bans made in their factory in Italy - which have the Ray-Ban logo etched on the lens.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

I love to watch my favourite football team in action - Leicester City. I also enjoy playing badminton, reading and binge watching box sets! Too many favourite holiday locations to choose from but particular highlights have been Barcelona, Rome, New York, Havana and Kenya!

What do you do at Opticare?

I started the company in 1991 with Shaishav Shah. I'm an Optometrist / occasional tea & coffee maker!

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

I wear silhouette frames with OptiPersonalise Sensity lenses. I also have Persol prescription sunglasses. I love the fashion element of spectacle wear primarily. I wear 1 Day ACUVUE contact lenses for yoga, hiking and Rock concerts. I particularly like Silhouette frame -  classic Austrian designs and lightweight. Superb!

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

I love working with the team, this makes the business always exciting to work for. I have 3 daughters. And in my spare time I hike, exercise, Bikram Yoga, I go to as many Rock/ Heavy metal concerts as possible!

What do you do at Opticare?

I am an Optical Adviser, and I've worked at Opticare since 2013. I welcome patients to the practice, take bookings for appointments, and assist with dispensing and general admin.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes, I wear Varifocal glasses, I like the convenience of them. My favourite brand is Ray Ban.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

My favourite holiday destination is New York, I love Seafood, and my favourite film is Dirty Dancing - shows you can't judge a book by it cover.

What do you do at Opticare?

I am an Optical Assistant, and I've worked at Opticare since 2001. I love being in a busy clinic and helping patients choose their frames.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes, I wear glasses. I like how fashion changes - I love the bright colours at the moment. My favourite brand at the moment is Etnia but I have a soft spot for Rayban.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

In my spare time, I like to see my grandchildren, and I read too much! My favourite film is The Upside - it's funny, heartwarming and a true story. And my favourite holiday destination is Cyprus.

What do you do at Opticare?

I am a Manager and Dispensing Optician at Opticare, I started work here as an Optical Assistant in 2018. I like that every day is a little bit different - helping patients choose frames, fitting frames, and I help out with general admin and tech support.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes both, I prefer contact lenses because I have a high prescription, and the lens thickness limits my frame choice.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

When I'm not busy studying, I like eating out with friends (especially pizza!) and planning holidays anywhere hot!

What do you do at Opticare?

I'm the Audiologist, and I started working with Opticare in 2019.

What does a typical day at Opticare look like?

I administer the hearing tests, wax removals and advise our patients on general ear heath - busy busy busy! I like the friendly atmosphere at Opticare with both the patients and the staff.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

When I'm not busy at Opticare, I really enjoy cooking, the occasional ale and looking after the many animals I appear to have acquired - oh and my five children who haven't driven me insane yet!

What do you do at Opticare?

I'm an Optical Assistant at Opticare, having joined in November 2023. It's a role I find fulfilling, allowing me to interact with and assist our patients daily.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes, I wear glasses. I particularly love Ted Baker frames and how they serve not just a practical purpose but also as a fashion statement. They’re a fantastic way to accessorise an outfit, especially when you find the perfect pair that complements your style.

What does a typical day working at Opticare look like for you?

My days are varied and engaging, involving everything from greeting patients and booking appointments to assisting individuals in finding the perfect pair of spectacles for their needs. Every day brings a new opportunity to meet new patients and help them.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

Outside of work, I have a passion for musical theatre - which is my guilty pleasure, and nothing beats a cozy evening watching "Grease" with it's iconic songs that never fail to uplift my spirits. Not to be confused with Greece, which I relish the opportunity to escape to whenever I can!

What do you do at Opticare?

As an Optical Assistant, I've been part of the Opticare team since October 2023. It's a role that keeps me engaged and offers new experiences every day.

What does a typical day working at Opticare look like for you?

Every day at Opticare is different, filled with meeting new people and helping them. It's this variety that makes each day exciting and rewarding.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

In my spare time, I love spending quality time with my son, exploring activities he enjoys. We often find ourselves at Great Yarmouth, our favourite holiday destination, since I prefer to stay grounded rather than fly. A perfect day for me ends with a hearty roast dinner, watching "Gone in 60 Seconds," a film I never get tired of watching!

What do you do at Opticare?

I'm an Optical Assistant at Opticare, where I've been part of the team since January 2024. I provide support to our patients and ensure they receive the best service possible.

Do you wear glasses or contact lenses yourself?

Yes, I wear single vision distance glasses. I've only recently started wearing them, but I've already noticed a significant improvement in my vision.

What does a typical day working at Opticare look like for you?

I love coming to work and being part of a team that is dedicated to helping our patients. Whether it's assisting with eye exams or helping choose the perfect frames, I enjoy the variety and challenge of each day.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself

Outside of work, I love swimming, walking, and volunteering with the Girl Guides and Rainbows. Tenerife is my favourite holiday spot, and I cherish family trips to Norfolk - Mum's Sunday dinners are unbeatable! One of my proudest achievements is buying my own house in 2017 - it took a lot of hard work and saving, but it was worth it to have a place to call my own.