An independent optician in Southport is determined to give patients the time and the expertise they need both for eye tests – and after care service.
Crystal Clear Opticians, formerly Harrisons, is an established local ophthalmic opticians with over 50 years of professional experience.
Situated on Sussex Road it is just a couple of minutes’ drive away from Southport town centre, with the benefit of having free roadside parking right outside.
Continuity of care is provided by resident optometrist Neil Mattack, who has worked in a wide scope of clinical settings from paediatric clinics to hospital placements and everything in between.
Neil believes the quality of individual care that Crystal Clear Opticians offers is vital, as well as being able to welcome patients into a warm and friendly environment.
He said: “Here at Crystal Clear Opticians, I allow half an hour for eye tests, which is longer than some others offer.
“It gives customers the chance to ask any questions that they might have, or to discuss any concerns that might be bothering them.
“No two patients are the same and it is important that people are treated as individuals rather than numbers when they walk through the door.
“This is a very friendly venue. Lots of our customers when they are passing call in to say hello, or stop for a chat. We’re very local, very friendly.
“In addition to standard ophthalmic services I am also accredited to treat and manage minor eye conditions (mecs) and have undergone training to provide both pre and post cataract assessments, referring where needed utilising the direct referral service.”
Neil has a huge wealth of expertise in supporting people to improve their eyesight.
He is well supported at the business by Paula McKeown and Marta Garrod, who provide a friendly welcome to customers.
Marta said: “I kind of stumbled into optics after several years of running my own customer focused business in Spain and relocating back to the UK.
“It seemed like an interesting career move.
“Although I found patient interaction very rewarding and optics interesting, working in such a busy multiple seemed to dilute this.
“Starting as one of the first members of Crystal Clear was a completely different ball game. I went from a well-oiled machine to planting an acorn and trying to make an oak tree grow. It has been challenging but very very rewarding!
“The focus at Crystal Clear Opticians has always been around the individual patients, with chats about family, friends, holidays over tea and biscuits. It’s a completely different experience.
“Since the pandemic we have noticed a lot of patients who are struggling with dry eye symptoms. This has become a specific area in which I have recently taken a keen interest.
“I enjoy helping to support patients with treatment and advice from Neil with something that can be so debilitating to individuals.”
Paula said: “Optics has been my chosen career for many years.
“I have worked in a vast variation of settings from busy multiples to smaller more personable independents and everything in between. I have always found myself gravitating towards the smaller independents which can offer the individual service I feel the patients deserve.
“Being able to get to know the patient, their character, their expectations, their individual style results in a much more rewarding experience for both myself and the patient.
“As an independent practice we are able to have much more flexibility with frame and lens combinations and it is extremely satisfying to surpass patients’ expectations no matter how unique they may be.”
Services at Crystal Clear Opticians include:
- Eye examinations. (NHS and private)
- Contact lens examinations and aftercare
- Complete glasses from £39.95
- Large selection of glasses covered by NHS vouchers.
- Under 16s go free (including glasses)
- Large designer frame selection
- Personal stylist service
- Prescription sunglasses
- Designer sunglasses
- Adjustments and repairs
- Spectacle reglazing service
- Sports eyewear and goggles
- Free parking
- Variety of adaptable offers to suit your needs
- Crystal Clear Opticians is at 73 Sussex Road, Southport, PR9 0SP, with free parking outside. Call 01704 533929 and Follow Crystal Clear Opticians Southport on Facebook and Crystal Clear Opticians on Instagram.
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