Company News

POSITION NOW FILLED Job Vacancy: Retail Optical Assistant We are now looking to welcome a new member to our friendly practice. This opening is in the front-of-house team, welcoming patients, prescreening optical scans, assisting them throughout their time in the practice and some optical admin. In addition to a competitive salary, the successful candidate will receive a wide range of generous benefits including staff discount on eye care, glasses and contact lenses; private medical insurance; bonus scheme; above average paid leave levels and opportunities for progression with ongoing training. Salary: We are a real living wage employer plus additional benefits Location: New Town, Edinburgh, EH3 6SW Hours of business: 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday This position is full time but we would be happy to consider a job share with part time hours. Key responsibilities The practice is recognised across the UK as providing the highest, most comprehensive level of eye care to a wide range of patients. The practice prides itself on its high standards, stunning surroundings, patient-centered approach and expertise in a wide range of areas. The main role will be welcoming patients to Cameron Optometry and assisting them while they are in the practice, particularly with optical scans. This might include booking appointments, arranging for collection of new glasses and selling them solutions and other products. In addition, the successful candidate will support the optometry team in various ways, as well as having some responsibilities in contact lens admin.  The role is very varied and may also include other duties to assist with the day-to-day running of an optometry practice. Person specification Professional, confident and flexible, able to juggle various roles. Exceptional customer service skills and ability to engage with a range of ages and personalities, engendering trust. Positive and personable, working as a supportive member of the team. Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex clinical advice to patients as directed by optometrists. Comfortable managing own workload in a busy, high volume practice. Excellent computer literacy and comfortable with using technology. Ability to identify customer needs and assist accordingly. Training will be provided however any previous experience working in a front-of-house/ reception role, or within the optometry industry, would be beneficial. If you have these skills and are interested in this exciting and varied role, please send on your CV. We appreciate it is not a classic optical assistant role and is very unique therefore we would be delighted to answer any questions you may have. A little bit about the Cameron Optometry team: We’re a fun and supportive team and we enjoy getting together outside work be it for a social get-together, fundraising, or whatever. We also have a number of talented bakers so the office is often cake-filled! We also have an allotment in our back garden for healthier, home-grown delights. Our home is a beautiful townhouse in the New Town and we have a comfy, spacious staff room and kitchen, and it’s a great spot for a wander on your breaks, either into Stockbridge or up into town. We have such a mix of personalities in the team, but all have a shared desire to help and care for our patients. We are focused on doing our bit to minimise our impact on the environment, in particular in our quest to became a net zero practice.  Please take a look through our website and social media to find out more about us.

What a trip! Amy visited the theo eyewear headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium this month to learn more about the brand. The brand has an inspiring story and ethos rooted in family, as well as an incredibly cool office! #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: center; width: 33%; } #gallery-1 img { border: 2px solid #cfcfcf; } #gallery-1 .gallery-caption { margin-left: 0; } /* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */   Wims Somers and his wife Jamme opened their own optician, Somers Optiek in 1981 and in 1987 Wim met Patrick Hoet who he was inspired to collaborate and start the theo eyewear brand with. Patrick as the designer, and Wim as the optician. Wim wanted unique frames he knew his patients would love and that he couldn’t find on the market. Patrick suggested the brand should be named after him, the designer after all! Wim pointed out his surname ‘Hoet’ could be pronounced differently in different languages, and it would be good to have some more universal. So, they eventually decided on an anagram of his name – Theo.   Son Jan took over the shop side of things when his parents retired and his brothers Mik and Toon run the head office. Toon oversees the design team, Patrick is still designing for Theo but they have also employed other designers including the wonderful Matali Crasset. Toon must sign off every design as they say he has ‘inherited his father’s taste’ so he ensures every frame keeps its Theo identity!   The prototypes take around three months to be sent out, then when signed off go into production. All the completed products pass through the office in Antwerp where they are thoroughly quality checked and packaged to be sent to us. The offices have rooms full of glasses, including vintage collections as they do not throw away any models! An incredible treasure trove, you could spend hours exploring. The frames are made in Jura, France known for its high-quality factories and makers. Every stage of the production process has an impeccable attention to detail – these handmade frames are really handmade, with each frame touching around 50 hands during the process.   The two tone colour sprayed models have to be individually covered then sprayed to ensure the colour is applied correctly, and many nose pads are soldered on by one expert maker.   After learning more about the story and production there was a trip to the store in the centre of Antwerp. The store is wonderfully quirky with frames galore but still carefully styled and tucked away in drawers. Pops of colour everywhere and a feast for the eyes, including these funky chairs that are like sitting in the palm of a hand!   A super inspirational trip where you can see and feel the love that goes into this brand and with some of the Theo ambassadors and other employees working there since its launch, as well as a great opportunity to meet likeminded opticians who also love Theo. A brand that is always innovating, always personal and always fun!

We’re thrilled to share the news that we are soon to have a new member of our team here at the practice. Highly regarded optometrist Eleanor Leech will join the practice later this month. Joining as our ninth optometrists, meaning we will have over 200 years of optics experience in our team!   We feel very privileged to attract such talented optometrists to the practice and Eleanor is no exception. Having graduated in the early 90’s in Cardiff, Eleanor has continued her studies ever since. She has a specialist interest in myopia so will make a great addition to our Myopia Management team. In addition, she, like the rest of the team, holds the independent prescribing qualification, meaning the practice now has more independent prescribers than any other practice in the whole of the UK, something we are very proud of.   Like Ian Cameron, Eleanor has optometry in the blood. She is the fourth generation of optometrist and worked in her family practice, Trotters on George Street, from the late 90’s. The practice was a well regarded, independent practice, one we had always admired, due to their commitment to excellence both in optometry and dispensing. Black & Lizars bought Trotters some years ago, and since then, Eleanor has continued to work with her long-standing patients. With Trotters George Street practice closing in March, Eleanor felt it was time to move on and we are delighted to have her.   Eleanor’s regular days will be Mondays and Tuesdays. Alongside this, she is set to join the myopia research group at Glasgow Caledonian University for an exciting project investigating the effect of light on the development of childhood myopia.   Away from optics Eleanor enjoys running so will fit in well with our active team. She also enjoys pottering in her garden so we will tap into her expertise as we continue to cultivate our own vegetable patch! A keen pianist, she also loves holidaying in Scotland with her family.   As a refresher, here is the team of optometrists at the practice: 🔹Ian Cameron, managing director 🔸Alexandra Young, clinical lead, special interest in paediatric eye care 🔹Gillian Bruce, special interest in myopia management 🔸Heather Grandon, special interest in complex eye conditions and prosthetic lenses 🔹Claire Keith, specialist interest in medical retina and surgical co-management 🔸Rebecca Daly, special interest in glaucoma, along with optical education and training 🔹Emma Drewery, behavioural optometrist, heads up vision therapy and sports vision clinics 🔸Eleanor Leech, special interest in clinical research 🔹Cirta Tooth, (sessional), heads up the low vision clinic We are able to welcome new patients to the practice at the moment. To book an appointment, please contact us on 0131 225 2235 or email vision@cameronoptom.com.

When Anna and Chloe came to the practice in 2019, Anna was already short-sighted, using standard glasses to correct her vision. She had tried wearing soft contact lenses but found them tricky to handle, so her myopia was progressing as would be expected when the condition is left. Her sister, Chloe, showed initial signs of myopia and with a family history of high levels of myopia, we advised their parents that myopia management could reduce the risk of the imminent progression.  Why was this a problem?  A higher prescription is not only an inconvenience causing poorer vision without glasses or contact lenses but all myopia, and especially higher prescriptions, is linked to an increased risk of developing eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, myopic macular degeneration and cataract in later life. Each dioptre increase in myopia results in 67% increased risk of myopic macular degeneration. Myopia management aims to slow down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children and young adults through lifestyle changes, the use of specialised contact lenses and specially designed spectacle lenses. It is unlikely that myopia management will stop the progression of myopia completely. Specialised lenses Anna tried myopia management soft contact lenses, but found putting them in too difficult. So when myopia management spectacle lenses were introduced in 2021 we suggested them to her. Chloe started to become myopic around the same time, so both girls were dispensed myopia management spectacle lenses. Whilst the glasses look exactly as they would with standard lenses, these lenses slow the progression of myopia by up to 60%. The statistics on the glasses lenses were strong, so we were keen to see the results for ourselves with our own patients.  So far, so good  Now with almost two years worth of data under our belts, we see that their myopic progression has slowed dramatically. They're actually going down the centiles when we measure axial length (length of the eye) which shows the glasses are working very well. Left untreated, the expectation is that every year a child’s short-sightedness will get worse. If they first showed signs of myopia when they were 10, we might expect it to deteriorate by half to one diopter each year, which means by the time they reach adulthood, they could have a prescription of -4 to -8, medium to high levels.  Unsurprisingly, the family is delighted. With a parent with a high prescription, having the ability to reduce the rate of myopia in future generations is something they could never have imagined would be possible. For those of us who grew up in the 80’s and 90’s, there was no option but to let levels of myopia progress naturally. Now there is an option to halt that trend. Many, understandably, don’t know about the numerous options available now, including soft lenses, overnight lenses, and spectacle lenses. For further information, please visit our website cameronoptom.com/myopia and if you would like to explore this further, please book an appointment with one of our optometrists by calling 0131 225 2235.

Eyesight is not often given a lot of space in parenting manuals and, unless there is something really obviously wrong, a lot of issues may understandably go unnoticed. We have written a guide on the stages of eye development, most importantly what to look out for and when to visit an optometrist. The practice provides the most comprehensive eye examinations completely free of charge for all children from birth. As with every stage of development, children reach milestones at different ages and this is only a guide. Newborn to 12 months Newborns are only able to differentiate between light and dark, but by the time they are around a month old large shapes and bright colours begin to attract their attention, often more so than faces. At around three months, they will start to focus and follow objects and you should notice their eyes starting to work together. From six months, they will start to learn depth perception, how far an object is away from them, and they will use this newfound skill to pull themselves up on objects. ! Watch out for significant delays in tracking or locating objects, as well as eyes not working together. Pupils appearing white is also a warning sign of a serious condition so shouldn’t be ignored. Toddler and pre-school years This is when children should be developing their fine motor skills – being able to play with age-appropriate toys like stacking toys and simple puzzles. They may also be able to recognise pictures and begin to identify shapes and colours.  ! Watch out for any issues controlling movements e.g. hands and fingers. All children should have their eyes examined by an optometrist from their pre-school year, however little ones can go to the optometrist from birth if you have any concerns. Pre-school and early primary years This stage is about continuing to successfully feed information to the brain, which might include starting to read, following words across the page. It is also when depth perception is further developed, which is evident when playing catch for instance, as well as being able to navigate around objects such as furniture when running around.  ! Watch out for any signs of misaligned eyes (cross eyes, a squint or a ‘lazy’ eye) as this needs to be rectified while the eyes are still developing. Middle primary school This is when issues with reading may become apparent and in some instances your optometrist may be able to help. If your child is a reluctant reader, finds reading uncomfortable and/or struggles to follow text, they may well benefit from seeing a vision therapist to help them better connect the brain and the eyes. Many children start life longsighted, and possibly with slight astigmatism. Most grow out of this with their eyes settling around seven or eight years old. Glasses may be prescribed to manage and hopefully reverse any issues.  ! Watch out for any issues learning at school that might be a sign there are issues with their vision e.g. reading, writing and recognising numbers. Nine years+ The most common eye issues at this age are long and shortsightedness. Longsight (hyperopia): In some cases your child’s vision won’t improve and they will continue to wear glasses to correct their longsight. Children of this age manage well with contact lenses so these would be worth exploring if they are reluctant to wear glasses, or play sports which makes wearing glasses difficult.  Shortsight (myopia):This is more of a concern as it needs to be managed in a specific way. If children are prescribed with standard glasses, their shortsightedness will often decline, meaning when they reach adulthood their eyesight is poor and the chance of them developing serious eye conditions increases significantly. Specialist contact lenses and glasses lenses slow the progression to make every effort to ensure this doesn’t happen, this is called Myopia Management – you can find out more about it at cameronoptom.com/myopia.  ! Watch out for a change in your child’s vision, perhaps sitting closer to the TV, struggling to read the board at school, complaining of headaches, screwing up their eyes to see something. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision, or they are due their annual eye examination, please book them in.  Call us on 0131 225 2235

We are pleased to report that 2022 has been much less eventful than the previous year, and whilst we still live with some Covid restrictions, we are largely back to business as usual. We are now able to reflect on a year that has seen further positive developments for the practice. Here are some of our highlights. Staff development Our staff are known for their desire to keep improving, and there is always someone with their head in the books on their lunch break. This year, Amy graduated to become a fully fledged dispensing optician after three years of study and practice. Ian has furthered his glaucoma expertise by completing the NHS Education for Scotland Glaucoma Award Training, having completed training on the use of lasers for glaucoma last year. Whilst Gillian is furthering her expertise in myopia management undertaking a new module through Glasgow Caledonian University. Finally, Birgit completed her optical assistant apprenticeship, a qualification Sophie will also complete in the new year. An internal reshuffle saw Alexandra taking on the role of clinical lead, whilst Amy became head of buying. We also welcomed Jen as our new practice manager, and Jess and Karla on Front of House, whilst Natalie joined our admin team upstairs. Our behavioural optometrist, Emma, also officially joined our team of optometrists, whilst she continues to run our Vision Therapy Clinic. We now have six independent prescribing optometrists, with Emma soon to make it seven, more than any other practice in the UK, something we are very proud of as we strive to provide the highest standard of clinical care for our patients. Charity and community We always like to do our bit to help others where we can. This year we have supported some incredible charities including the DEC Ukraine appeal, FlySpec, Edinburgh Direct Aid, Edinburgh Youth Cafe, the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, U-Evolve, Sight Saving Surgery Scotland, Make 2nds Count, Unicef, Bethany, Turtle Rescue, Salvation Army, Brightstar and Steps to Hope. We will continue to make monthly donations to charities next year, so please do recommend a charity you would like us to support. In addition, we have set up a dedicated environmental impact committee in the practice to ensure a concerted effort is made to make choices that are best for the environment. This includes stocking brands that share our values, making changes within the practice such as reducing single use plastics, and promoting our contact lens and spectacles recycling projects. And finally… Some of you may be aware that one of our team did something incredible that deserves a very special mention. Ian donated a kidney to a friend in need. You don’t hear a lot about living organ donations and so we wanted to highlight this and know Ian is happy to discuss his experience with anyone considering any kind of donation. So, all in all, it has been another year filled with positives. Our biggest highlight is being able to care for more patients with the relaxation of restrictions and additional team members. Thank you once more to all our incredibly supportive patients. We wish you all a healthy and happy 2023.

We have some exciting new developments within our team that we wanted to share with you. Fresh from passing her dispensing diploma last month, Amy McIntosh (pictured) steps up to become head of buying. Amy has been with us for five years, prior to which she worked in high-end retail. She’s incredibly creative and has an eye for design and is always our go-to for advice on the latest trends. We’ll be retaining all our favourite brands but look forward to Amy introducing some fresh new ranges to the practice. We’re always delighted for patients to suggest collections they would like in the practice – they just need to tick our requirement list, being ethically produced, eco-friendly and, beautifully designed and crafted. Amy is filling the shoes of Gill Sibeth who moves on to work in product development, with a focus on lenses, at an optical group. She will be greatly missed by both staff and patients and we wish her the very best in her new role which will see her travelling all over Scotland. We also welcome two new faces to the dispensing team. Jen Anderson who joins us in early December, and Karen Cluckie who will join the team in mid January. Jen is taking over the practice manager responsibilities from Carol Innes. You’ll be delighted to hear Carol isn’t going anywhere, but instead moving to a part-time dispensing role as she follows her passion, training to become a triathlon coach. She is such an inspiration and will no doubt be a fantastic coach, and has already completed her level one qualification. She’ll still be on hand to assist all her regular patients and anyone looking for specialist sports eyewear – she’s a pro when it comes to finding the perfect performance glasses and sunglasses. Karen will also be an invaluable addition to the dispensing team, and has a real eye for what suits people, as well as being incredibly caring and patient. Karen will have particular responsibility over our spectacle lenses. It’s an area of technology that moves very rapidly and Karen will keep us at the leading edge of new innovations. The wonderful Lesley Kerr, who celebrated 28 years at the practice earlier in the year, completes our new look dispensing team. We’ll share more about our new team members very soon.

Retail optical assistant / Front-of-house We are now looking to welcome a new member to our friendly practice. This opening is in the front-of-house team, welcoming patients, prescreening optical scans and assisting them throughout their time in the practice. Salary: We are a real living wage employer plus additional benefits (from £21,900 FTE) Location: New Town, Edinburgh, EH3 6SW Hours of business: 8.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday Key responsibilities The practice is recognised across the UK as providing the highest, most comprehensive level of eye care to a wide range of patients. The practice prides itself on its high standards, stunning surroundings, patient-centered approach and expertise in a wide range of areas. The main role will be welcoming patients to Cameron Optometry and assisting them while they are in the practice, particularly with optical scans. This might include booking appointments, arranging for collection of new glasses and selling them solutions and other products. In addition, the successful candidate will support to the optometry team, assisting them in various ways. There may be some opportunity to play a role in some other areas of the business. The role is very varied and may also include other duties to assist with the day-to-day running of an optometry practice. Person specification Professional, confident and flexible, able to juggle various roles Exceptional customer service skills and ability to engage with a range of ages and personalities, engendering trust Positive and personable, working as a supportive member of the team Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate complex clinical advice to patients as directed by optometrists Comfortable managing own workload in a busy, high volume practice Excellent computer literacy and comfortable with using technology Ability to identify customer needs and assist accordingly. Training will be provided however any previous experience working in a front-of-house/reception role, or within the optometry industry, would be beneficial. In addition to a competitive salary, the successful candidate will receive a wide range of generous benefits including staff discount on eye care, glasses and contact lenses; private medical insurance; bonus scheme; above average paid leave levels and opportunities for progression with ongoing training. If you have these skills and are interested in this exciting and varied role, please send on your CV. We appreciate it is not a classic optical assistant role and is very unique therefore we would be delighted to answer any questions you may have. A little bit about the Cameron Optometry team: We're a fun and supportive team and we enjoy getting together outside work be it for a social get-together, fundraising, or whatever. We also have a number of talented bakers so the office is often cake-filled! We also have an allotment in our back garden for healthier, home-grown delights. Our home is a beautiful townhouse in the New Town and we have a comfy, spacious staff room and kitchen, and it's a great spot for a wander on your breaks, either into Stockbridge or up into town. We have such a mix of personalities in the team, but all have a shared desire to help and care for our patients. Please take a look through this website and social media to find out more about us.

Many children welcome the news that they need to wear glasses. A cool new accessory or something to make them look grown up. However a small number are devastated by the news. It was quite an eye opener last week to hear a mum say her son went home in tears at the news that they needed glasses. Why? Because he knew when he made it into school in his new frames – even the stylish Nike frames he picked- that a string of name-calling would follow. How sad.  This particular child is short-sighted, meaning wearing special myopia management glasses will slow the deterioration of their vision and reduce the chance of him developing serious eye conditions in later life. He needs to wear them. They are a medical device. Thankfully for this particular child, contact lenses are also an option so it may be we go down that route, but it just highlights the impact that that age-old ‘speccy four-eyes’ comment can have on a child’s future eye health. So, we end with a small plea to grownups, please help us educate children that glasses are a necessity for many and should not be a source of ridicule. After all, it’s cool to be kind.  Please let us know if your child is struggling to adapt to their new glasses, for whatever reason. We will do our very best to assist. And if you'd like to chat about options for contact lenses, just drop us an email vision@cameronoptom.com or give us a call 0131 225 2235.

This page will have our latest information on the care we can provide during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can also find information on our Facebook page. LATEST UPDATE Thursday, 17 March 2022 We continue to operate with enhanced hygiene and reduced capacity As restrictions ease, we continue to offer our full range of services to patients. Healthcare services are under separate stricter hygiene regulations from those announced by the First Minister and there is currently no new advice, so we will continue to adhere to our current enhanced COVID measures. However, we do anticipate specific healthcare advice to appear soon and expect to see a loosening of restrictions and we'll publish any updates here as soon as we get them. We still have reduced capacity levels and so you will need to wait a little longer to get an appointment than usual but we reserve some appointments each day for emergencies only, so you can always be seen quickly when required. If your recall is due now, there may still be some delay until the backlog has been cleared but you can always contact us if you are having a more urgent problem and require sooner review. Visiting the practice Please familiarise yourself with the new hygiene measures we have in place prior to visiting. As mentioned, we are reducing the number of people in the practice at any one time so where possible, we would also appreciate it if patients come to their appointments alone.  Rest-assured that all our PPE is NHS-approved and we continue to adhere to their strict guidelines, combined with our highest clinical standards, to ensure we safeguard our patients and staff. As frontline healthcare workers, the staff at the practice have begun receiving their vaccinations which we hope will provide additional peace of mind when you visit. Our fourth consulting room can be sectioned off in our basement for those who are at particular risk and have previously been shielding. Please advise when booking your appointment if you have been shielding and feel you require to be seen in this room. Emergency eye care It is crucial we play our part to avoid putting added pressure on the NHS at this time, so please continue to make us your first port of call in an emergency. As always, we are available during working hours, as well as out-of-hours, for any patients requiring emergency eye care. As mentioned, we will continue to offer phone and video call consultations, and will only book you an appointment in the practice if we feel it is necessary.  Contact lens orders Contact lens orders will still be processed in the usual way. If you anticipate requiring additional contact lenses in the coming weeks, please get in touch as we are keen to ensure you do not have any break in your supply of lenses.  Dispensing glasses We are able to dispense, fit and repair glasses as normal. Our full frame selection is available to view as previously and our normal glasses service is back up and running. Just call us if you need any adjustments or some new frames. Emergency and essential eye care These patients will continue to be prioritised and appointments are reserved each day for any patients requiring to be seen urgently. Emergency and essential eye care includes: Patients we consider to be emergencies, such as those who experience a change to their vision or have a specific issue that we feel requires urgent investigation. Patients who would not normally be considered to be emergencies, but where, in our view, a delay in an examination may be detrimental to your sight or wellbeing (called ‘essential care’). Patients who are due to be seen for a review of a specific issue (not a routine check up) and where in our view review is ‘essential'. Patients with any other issues classed as an ‘essential situation’. This might include where you have lost or broken your glasses or contact lenses and require a replacement to function. As always, if you have any new concerns and think you would benefit from being seen, please get in touch.  We appreciate the unwavering loyalty of our patients, now more than ever. And we pass on our very best wishes to all our patients at this time and hope to see you back in the practice soon.  Phone: 0131 225 2235 Email: vision@cameronoptom.com

At Cameron Optometry, we have a huge range of patients who walk through our doors every day. From babies who have had cataract surgery and require specialist contact lenses, to people with rare, complex eye conditions. We also treat people with a range of conditions that may not directly affect their vision, but that still require our specialist care. This is why our staff have received specific training to assist those who may not find a trip to the optometrist as straightforward as others. This includes those with all kinds of additional support needs, learning disabilities, anxiety and with other unique requirements.   For many, a trip to the optometrist is nothing more than routine, sometimes even a welcome break from their working day; a chance to check all is ok with their vision and eye health, walking away from the practice having been given the reassurance they sought. For others, attending an optometry appointment can be seen as a huge hurdle, a challenging event, which may come with some level of anxiety and concern. If this is you, your child or someone you care for – please know, we are here to help. We have outlined some of the ways we look to alleviate some of the stress that you may associate with a visit to the optometrist.     Before the appointment  Familiar surroundings: You are very welcome to pop in ahead of your appointment to take a look around and familiarise yourself with our practice. We can take you through what will happen at your appointment to hopefully reduce any anxiety on the day of your appointment. If you can’t make it in, or would rather do this from home, you can also watch this video, which takes a child and her mother, through the steps of a standard eye examination, again allowing you to familiarise yourself with the surroundings. This was filed before the pandemic, so this video on our new hygiene measures may also be helpful.  Timing: We always make every effort to ensure we run on time, and will make a concerted effort should we know our patient may become anxious if we run even a minute or two late. You may benefit from booking an appointment first thing in the day to ensure you know you will be seen on time, and this is often a time when the practice is quieter.  During your appointment  On arrival: We have several waiting areas in the practice, so you can advise us where you would like to wait, for instance, you may prefer a quieter waiting area, rather than a thoroughfare. You are very welcome to bring someone into the appointment with you. All our examination rooms are spacious with additional seating.   Time: What we provide in abundance is time. Our standard appointments are longer than most, but we are happy to add additional time on should you require it. You will not be rushed at any stage during your visit. If you would like a longer than standard appointment time, please let us know when booking your appointment.   Our examinations: All our pre-screening and optometry staff are very experienced in supporting patients who may find a trip to the optometrists unnerving. This page of our website takes you through the stages of an eye examination which may also be helpful.   If we don’t manage to complete the whole examination in one appointment, that is absolutely no problem, and a follow up appointment can be easily made. It may be that the patient would prefer the pre-screening tests performed one day, and then the tests with the optometrist, performed on another day. This is absolutely fine and something some patients prefer.   Preparing children: There are many popular children’s programmes that have episodes specifically about the characters visiting an optometrist, Topsy and Tim, Peppa Pig and Get Well Soon being a few. Watching these programmes may help children prepare for an appointment. Books such as ‘Going to the Optician’ by Avril Webster and ‘Going to the Optician’, a Biff and Chip book by Roderick Hunt are also good books to read in advance.  In conclusion, we have extensive experience in assisting people for whom a trip to the optometrist may not be straightforward. We can be entirely flexible to ensure their visit is as stress-free as possible. We always read the latest advice on how to help patients during their appointment, and are happy to incorporate anything into the appointment that may make things easier such as a timer. Please let us know how we can tailor the appointment to best suit your requirements at the time of booking.

It’s been another year like no other, slightly less bumpy than 2020, but not the return to normal we had all hoped for. That said, we have remained open and busy throughout and are incredibly grateful for that. Here’s a recap of the year at the practice in case you missed any of our news.  STAFF UPDATE  We welcomed Alexandra Young to the practice at the beginning of the year, bringing with her a wealth of experience, in particular in paediatric eye care, and glaucoma. Caroline and Sophie joined our front of house team and have both fitted in well, getting to know our patients and developing their own optometry knowledge.  Our passion for learning could not be halted by the pandemic, as Rebecca became one of the first individuals to gain the NHS Education for Scotland Glaucoma Award Training (NESGAT). Ian is due to complete the same course in the new year and this month he undertook training in minor surgical procedures, as well as laser for glaucoma, becoming one of the first optometrists in the UK to have completed this course. Alexandra, Claire and Ian also became registered vaccinators to help administer the Covid vaccines across the Lothians.   In the Frame Room, Amy is flying through her Fellowship Dispensing Diploma, a qualification for trainee dispensing opticians looking to advance their optical knowledge with this professional qualification.   Gillian Bruce gave birth to her second child, Eva, a sister for Matthew. We look forward to welcoming her back later in 2022.   TREATMENTS & TECHNOLOGY  In addition to our dry eye Tear Clinic, we launched two new clinics in the summer. Firstly, a Vision Therapy Clinic, led by behavioural optometrist Emma Drewery, one of only two optometrists with this specialism in Scotland. Vision therapy can help reduce the visual issues experienced with specific learning related disorders.    Secondly, we welcomed Cirta Tooth to run our Low Vision Clinic which offers a range of specific services to make the adaptation to living with visual impairment as easy as it can be. Cirta brings with her a wealth of experience in this specialist area and sees patients of all ages, with all different conditions, experiencing low vision.    We continued to update our technology at the practice. Early in 2021 we took receipt of the MYAH, a machine which measures the length of the eye, allowing us to better manage children with myopia (short-sightedness). In addition, MYAH allows us to build a comprehensive picture for those with dry eye, using a number of assessment tools, to ensure the most appropriate treatment plan.   We also added the Cerium Curve to our consulting room, the very latest in colorimetry technology. Often when children are reluctant readers, it is that they find reading uncomfortable. Tinted lenses can immediately help make using vision easier and less stressful, often improving visual performance at school and work straight away.   In the Frame Room, we were pleased to add more sustainable ranges to our collection and continue to ensure the independent brands we work with share our values, with a focus on care and quality.   COMMUNITY & CHARITY  Patients and neighbours were pleased to hear the news that we now have a new fully automatic defibrillator in our practice and are all trained to operate it. We hope it is never required, but take reassurance in knowing it is here if we need it.  Our charity work has continued this year and we are delighted to have supported various worthy causes. Through our contact lens recycling programme we were able to make donations to the British Red Cross and British Divers Marine Life Rescue. In addition, we supported a door in the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital’s live advent calendar and a team from the practice cooked for the Bethany welcome centre for the homeless in December. We’ve also twinned our three toilets with toilets in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Nigeria enabling families to build a basic toilet, have access to clean water and learn about hygiene. We also donated funds to Afghanaid, Macmillan, the Teapot Trust, the Outward Bound Trust, Ronald McDonald House, the Edinburgh Soup Hamper, the Salvation Army toy and food appeals, Unicef Advent Calendar and React, supporting refugees in Scotland.   We were thrilled to welcome trainee guide dog, Murray, to the practice earlier this month. You might recall that we were fundraising for Guide Dogs Scotland’s Name a Puppy appeal. Once we hit our target, we were allocated a puppy, which we were able to name. We chose ‘Murray' in memory of one of our founding partners, Murray McGrath who died at the end of last year. We look forward to continuing to follow Murray on his journey to becoming an assistance dog.   Thanks to all of those who suggested charities we could support in 2022. We have a note of them all and will look to support as many as we can in some way.    So all in all, it has been a year filled with positives, which, during these unprecedented times, we are hugely grateful for. Thank you to all our incredibly supportive patients who have adapted to the changes the pandemic has brought. We wish you all a healthy and happy 2022.

The newest member of our team, Sophie, grew up in Melbourne, Australia and moved to Edinburgh in 2019 where she has quickly settled. After graduating with a degree in theatre production and stage management, she spent many years in customer-facing roles. With a passion for working with people, as well as the appeal of working with independent, family-run businesses, she was delighted when the role at Cameron Optometry came up. She’s quickly learning about the world of optics and loves seeing patients achieve corrected vision, sometimes for the first time in a decade.  An avid knitter, she also loves being outdoors hiking and running, as well as trying out new restaurants in Edinburgh.

We are saddened to inform you that at the end of 2020 we lost our founding partner, Murray McGrath, who many of you will have been treated by over the years. Cameron Optometry started out as W M McGrath Optometrists, before becoming McGrath and Cameron in the early eighties. Here Donald Cameron, OBE shares some background on Murray, a colourful character who specialised in contact lenses long before they were commonplace.  Born in June 1936, Murray McGrath was educated at Melville College in Edinburgh where he was a keen water polo team player and won the annual Crombie Cup as best swimmer of his final year. He carried on that love of swimming throughout his life as a member of Drumsheugh Baths where, even in his late 70s, he was able to swing on the rings from one end of the baths to the other without so much as a wet foot.  He started work as an ophthalmic optician (what we now call an optometrist) in the long-established practice of his father W M McGrath in Queensferry Street. After a few years he started to see contact lenses as the way of the future for him and he started a part-time practice on the ground floor of the family home at 4 Randolph Cliff. After a number of years that business grew and it became his full-time place of work. I met Murray when I completed my degree course in 1976. I had to do one year under supervision before being let loose on the public alone and he looked after me for two days a week with the other 3 in the family practice up the road. By that time W M McGrath was retired and Jimmy Duffy and Sandy Bovaird took me under their wing. Over the next four years I learned from Murray about how to maintain high standards of care and how to fit the most complicated sorts of eyes with contact lenses. He was an innovator, often designing little devices to achieve a particular end. He polished hard contact lenses in the practice, made moulds for taking impressions of the eye for scarred eyes and always he would strive to improve on what everyone else was doing at the time. He never took the status quo for granted, always seeking to develop the service he could offer.   In 1981 I suggested to him that I would like to join him as an equal partner and so we negotiated that and I’ll just say that it was on conclusion of that financial deal that Murray bought his Ferrari Quatrovalvoli! I recall getting it into first gear on a cold morning was impossible so he had to slip the clutch in second. I told him to complain but he was told it was a feature of the car – a feature? If it had been an Austin Maxi it would have gone back as faulty! But we had some fun with that car. Over the years the contact lens practice developed into a full-time venture although Murray never really worked what you would call ‘full-time’ and he encouraged me to work a four-day week, so Wednesdays were my day off. I maintained that habit throughout my professional career and I am sure the sensible work/life balance was why I remained an enthusiast for my work for the next 30 years. Murray was never obsessed with making money although when it was there it went on vehicles of all sorts, practical and totally crazy. Murray loved fast cars, bikes and speedboats. He did some single seater racing at Ingliston and at one point he had five motor bikes of various sizes and makes, three cars and a three-wheeler. Some of that rubbed off on me and I did some rally driving early on and have had a series of motor bikes all of my working life. Every lunch time we used to travel across Edinburgh on the bikes, driving in parallel like the police, feeling cool. We lunched at the Engine Shed where they took on children with a variety of learning disabilities and served a fine variety of vegetarian food. I put up with the food because it was nicely done, but Murray always ate veggie food and it could not have been less processed unless you dug it out the ground yourself. Murray never married although he came close to it more than once and he was never short of having a lady on his arm when the occasion required it. His most endearing feature was his optimism and decision to see the best in everything. One day he announced he was driving his 1200cc Kawasaki to France to have a 14-day holiday with a female friend. Four days later he appeared in the practice with the story that when he arrived after the two-day trip, things had not gone as expected and the relationship ended rather abruptly. So, he set off for the two days trip home. I commiserated with him over the waste of the journey and he then told me how wonderful the journey had been with the stunning sunset, the warm driving in the sunshine and the views in France. He never mentioned that event again and never seemed to wallow in distress over anything. In 2001 we realised the business needed to expand from the constraints of the small space available at Randolph Cliff and after looking for two years we found a property at St Vincent Street. I bought the property and Murray decided that he should gradually retire over the next five years and so a smooth transition took place. After a few years my son, Ian, was returning to Edinburgh as a fully qualified optometrist and we created a space for him and Murray slipped out quietly into retirement.  Murray was a keen jazz enthusiast, amassed a huge collection of his favourite recordings, and played the guitar in a band. He also published a book of witty and thoughtful poems and was waiting for a response from a publisher for his long-gestated book outlining his theories on how to have a good life. Murray also fancied himself as an artist – though his art teacher was slightly less convinced! He had always been an animal rights campaigner long before that was a trendy thing to be, and he worked with Advocates for Animals all the years I knew him. He had been a supporter of the naturopathic philosophy made known in Edinburgh by the Kingston Clinic in Gilmerton for many years. I don’t think he ever registered with a GP and when he went into hospital he found that that, and his optimistic approach to life, convinced him that he could be happy in any circumstance and he certainly seemed to achieve that. Unfortunately, because of the restrictions I was never able to visit him in hospital, but I was reminded how he never focused on himself for long and it was a blessing for Murray that his stay there was very short and he passed away quietly in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  He led an interesting life, was never attracted to being in the limelight but he shone a light on the path for others to follow and if they achieve his level of contentment then his time here will have been well spent. I am grateful for having known him and for the happy 30 years we worked together so harmoniously.  He is survived by his brother David, who lives with his wife, Karen, in Richmond.

We are delighted to let you know that we have a new optometrist joining the practice in January. Alexandra Young is incredibly highly regarded and we are excited to welcome her to the team. In addition to her current role as a specialist refractive optometrist at Optical Express, Alexandra works at the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion and will continue in this role when she joins Cameron Optometry. There, she works as part of a team with colleagues in orthoptics and ophthalmology and looks after children in the paediatric service. She also screens paediatric patients for uveitis, a form of eye inflammation associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. More recently she began working with glaucoma patients at the hospital, so is experienced in treating complex eye conditions. Alexandra has an impressive array of qualifications including a BSc (hons) in Optometry and Vision Science, the independent prescribing qualification and an MSc (distinction) in Primary Care Ophthalmology from The University of Edinburgh. She has also recently been accepted on the Paediatric Eye Care Certificate course with Ulster University starting in the spring, and is hoping to study for the NESGAT glaucoma qualification also starting next year. In addition to her studies, she kept busy during lockdown writing two research papers which have been accepted for publication – one in the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ journal Eye and another in the Journal of Glaucoma.  Alexandra said, “Cameron Optometry has an excellent professional reputation and the practice is known to be cutting edge when it comes to equipment and facilities. I’m looking forward to working with, and learning from, the rest of the team, and providing great patient care in a fantastic practice.”  Ian Cameron added “We are pleased to be able to attract an optometrist of Alexandra’s calibre, who comes with an incredibly impressive CV. I worked with her during lockdown as part of the Edinburgh Emergency Eye Care Treatment Centre, so have seen first hand the care she shows to her patients and her expertise in dealing with the most complex of cases.” Alexandra moved to Edinburgh in 2015, to join her partner, who is completing his training in Emergency Medicine. Outside of work she enjoys cycling and baking. She also loves to travel and is a novice astrophotographer, and is looking forward to being able to go back to Sweden and Norway to chase the aurora borealis in 2021!

During lockdown we learned a lot and, whilst we are delighted to be able to see patients in the practice again, video call triaging for patients with eye care emergencies was very effective. So, if you are an existing patient and have an eye care emergency or concerns about your eyes, we may still suggest the first step is a video call to assess you remotely. This ensures you can be seen quickly and saves you having to come into the practice unnecessarily. We now have an optometrist dedicated to assessing emergencies by video call every day. Hopefully it goes without saying that if we then think you need to be seen, we will arrange a time for you to come in, but equally, we treated many patients very effectively remotely, so will continue to offer this. Please always make us your first port of call in an eye care emergency as we have the highest quality equipment and most expertise in eye care, and it also helps alleviate pressure on your GP. This video gives more detail on what constitutes an emergency, but really if you have any change in your eyes or your vision, please get in touch. You may be asked by your optometrist to take photos of your eye. Here is our handy guide to take photos of your eye.

Whilst our doors are closed, two of our optometrists are volunteering in the newly opened, NHS-run, Lothian Emergency Eye Care Treatment Centre (EETC). Ian Cameron and Rebecca Daly are two of the eight highly skilled optometrists staffing the facility. Clad in full personal protective equipment (PPE), both are pleased that they can continue to provide eye care to those in need, despite the current restrictions. In March, the vast majority of optometry practices, including Cameron Optometry, were forced to shut their doors to help in the country’s effort to manage the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This new facility will ensure that there is a place where people can still access the highest standard of emergency eye care if required. Fortunately, to date, we have been able to manage patients very effectively via video call, prescribing treatment if required. However, in some cases, face-to-face treatment is essential and the EETC is now able to deal with these cases effectively. An initial team of eight highly skilled optometrists are working on rotation throughout the week to provide emergency care. By having a team of experienced Independent Prescribers (able to prescribe medication if required), the hope is that no further referrals will be required, thus alleviating further pressure on other areas of the NHS at this time. So for the foreseeable future, Ian and Rebecca will spend a day or two each week caring for patients from across the Lothians. A real change from their usual working environments, but still ultimately providing the highest level of eye care to whoever needs it.  If you have an eye issue, your first port of call should still be your optometrist. Our patients should continue to call the main number for the practice, 0131 225 2235 where you will be able to speak to one of our optometrists for advice. We continue to provide support to all patients, whatever their eye issue, via phone, video call and email if possible. We hope patients are reassured to know this emergency facility is now available should they need to be seen and if they do need to be seen, it may well be by a familiar face.  For further information, please refer to our COVID-19 page.

Colour can have a way of transforming how we look and feel. We love colour at the Frame Room. We regularly encourage our patients to jump out of their comfort zones and embrace brightly coloured eyewear, but for some it’s a little daunting as they don’t know what suits them and fear taking that leap, so stick with ‘safe’ colours. The same is often the case for clothing and accessories. Spring is the perfect time to embrace new colours. If you would like to experiment with colour but don’t know where to start, our dispensing assistant, Lesley Kerr, is now offering a colour analysis service to help guide and inspire you. Since completing colour analysis training with Direct Colour International, Lesley is able to identify your must-have colours for the season. During the half hour appointment, Lesley will guide you through what colours suit you, what colours work well together and what colours you should avoid. Looking at your whole wardrobe, not just your eyewear, Lesley will talk through your thoughts on colour and see how you might make positive additions to your wardrobe. The service is free for all patients on the Vision+ for a limited time. Should you wish to purchase your fabric colour wallet, it is available for £35, which is redeemable against frames should you be inspired to purchase some new eyewear for the year ahead.

Cameron Optometry’s longest-serving optometrist, Heather Grandon, has completed her Independent Prescribing qualification with an impressive 95% in her final exam. Heather joins our other four optometrists, Ian Cameron, Gillian Bruce, Claire Keith and Rebecca Daly, who already hold the qualification. This makes Cameron Optometry the only optometrist in Scotland, and quite possibly the UK, to have five prescribing optometrists. The Independent Prescribing qualification allows optometrists to prescribe medication from the practice, for example antibiotic eye drops, meaning patients do not need to visit their GP with any eye conditions. As well as being able to prescribe treatment, Heather has gained an even more in-depth understanding of how existing medication a patient may be taking, can impact on their eye health and vision, and is able to look out for potential complications.  The team’s passion for eyes means they have a genuine desire to continually improve, gain further experience and continue to learn. There is always someone in the practice with their head in their books or reading the latest research, which we hope gives patients great reassurance when they visit. As well as a reminder that all emergency appointments are included in your Vision+ membership, so always get in touch with us first if you have an issue with your eyes.  About Heather Grandon Heather is one of the longest serving members of the Cameron Optometry team having arrived at the practice in August 1994. Her commitment over the last two decades has allowed her to provide the highest standards of care, while forming lasting relationships with her patients and their families. In addition, her extensive knowledge and expertise make her an invaluable support to our new patients, as they join the practice. Heather works with a very broad spectrum of patients, from carrying out routine eye exams, to providing highly specialised contact lens fittings. Heather has worked in partnership with the Lothian Hospital Eye Service for over 20 years, in particular fitting a wide range of specialist complex medical lenses for hospital patients. This work has allowed Heather to develop her specialism in medical and complex contact lens fitting, especially for keratoconus and post corneal grafting. She is also one of just a handful of optometrists in Scotland experienced in the moulding and fitting of prosthetic shells. She is regularly visited by those who have failed to find solutions to their complex conditions and her expertise in specialist contact lenses has a life-changing effect some patients.

This year we reach a new milestone; Cameron Optometry is 50. We are looking forward to a year of celebrations, as we reflect on this past half century, as well as looking towards the next 50 years in practice. Founded in 1970, the practice quickly grew a reputation for excellence in eye care with a focus on contact lenses. Since then, we have won many awards, and always strive to keep improving, providing the highest level of care for our patients. Over the years we have built valued relationships with our patients, many of whom have been with us since we first opened on Queensferry Street. We now treat the children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, of many of these patients. We have various activities planned to mark our anniversary, but for now, thank you to all our patients for their continued support. And for anyone who has been with the practice for around 50 years, we would love to hear from you, perhaps sharing an anecdote, a photo of your first pair of glasses, or an up-to-date photo. Please drop us an email vision@cameronoptom.com, if you would like to be involved in marking this milestone.

We are delighted to welcome optical assistant, Estefania Legaza, to the front-of-house team at the practice. With a passion for optics, Estefania brings a real enthusiasm for eye care, having previously worked in a high street opticians.  Prior to her move into the optical industry, she worked in various retail and IT roles both in Edinburgh and her native Spain, as well as pursuing studies as a lab technician. Her desire to help and care for people, led her to the optical industry where she is keen to develop her knowledge and experience.  Estefania said “I’m delighted to join Cameron Optometry. I wanted to find a place where I could continue working in the field I love and feel part of a team. After a few meetings I quickly realised here the atmosphere is very friendly and as a result the patients feel welcomed and relaxed. I’m very keen to get to know the patients and help them in the practice. I’m also very keen to develop my knowledge in the industry and already Cameron Optometry is supporting me in doing that.”  When not at work, Estefania enjoys live concerts, astronomy, playing board games and is always keen to try new activities such as learning new languages and pottery. She loves brand Feb31st, having never seen the personalised wooden frames before and looks forward to seeing patient’s unique design.

For those planning ahead, we are open between Christmas and New Year but closed on the following days: Tuesday 24 December 2019 – practice closes at 12.30pm  Closed 25 and 26 December 2019 Friday 27 December 2019 – practice reopens  Tuesday 31 December – practice closes at 12.30pm  Closed 1 and 2 January 2020 Friday 3 January 2020 – practice reopens  Not all our suppliers are open over the festive period so we strongly recommend you order any contact lenses you might require over that period as soon as possible to avoid you being caught short.

In December 2018, we shared the news that an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) medal had been awarded to Donald Cameron in the Queen’s New Year Honours List 2019. Early this summer, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, presented Donald with his medal at Buckingham Palace.  Donald was joined by his wife Libby and his children, Cameron Optometry directors, Lorna and Ian. Click here to read the blog on his notable career.

We recently welcomed a fifth optometrist to the practice. Rebecca joins with an impressive background in eye care and we know she will be a hugely valuable addition to the team. Originally from Mullingar in Ireland, Rebecca gained her BSc (hons) optometry degree from the Technological University of Dublin before moving to Scotland to begin her career in optometry. Her career to date has seen her work mainly with an independent optometrist group, where she has gained valuable experience. In addition to over 15 years experience, she has several further qualifications to her name. Like our other optometrists, she holds her independent prescribing qualification, which means she can prescribe medication as required, as well as having a better understanding of how existing medication patients are taking may impact on their vision. She also completed the MSc in Primary Care Ophthalmology in 2017 which Gillian Bruce also completed last year. In addition to these optical qualifications, she also holds a Certificate in Medical Education which she obtained in 2018.   As well as working with Cameron Optometry three days a week, she will continue with her research role at the University of Dundee which is linked to NHS Education for Scotland. In this role she works as one of the postgraduate optometry tutors whilst undertaking some additional research. Rebecca said, “I have long been aware of Cameron Optometry as a leading practice in Scottish eye care. I was privileged to join the practice and feel in this role I will push myself personally, as well as delivering the best patient care. “I am already enjoying the variety of patients who attend the practice. And I have also already benefitted from the wealth of experience of my colleagues and I feel that my clinical skills will continue to thrive in this environment.” Ian Cameron added, “I’ve known Rebecca for a number of years and always thought she would be a great addition to the practice. She is clinically minded and has the additional qualifications that are essential for working in our practice. She’s also highly motivated to develop and learn, making her exactly the type of optometrist we want at Cameron Optometry. She brings some exciting new skills with her and we are sure to benefit from her varied experience. It’s a great appointment.” Home for Rebecca is now East Lothian where she enjoys beach life. She is an enthusiastic walker having recently returned from her second week of walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela and plans to return soon. She also enjoys touring in her campervan, walking and cycling to see all the beautiful corners of Scotland. By coincidence, she also takes part in an annual Christmas choir charity fundraising event with NHS Education Scotland, which is run by our former managing director, Donald Cameron OBE. Rebecca will be practicing on a Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, with her other two days spent working in her research role with the University of Dundee. You can book an appointment with Rebecca, or another optometrist, on our website or by calling 0131 225 2235.