ABOUT

When Jonathan Foreman MD created the Observatory name in 1989, he had a vision to build a brand that represented all that he knew to be great about optics and customer service. Continuous advances in technology have brought us into an age where Observatory the Opticians can offer expert advice in a vast range of products and services, including Optical Coherence Tomography. Fashions have come and gone, and re-emerged and new materials and techniques offer ever more exciting eyewear to the both the trendsetters and traditionalists.

As a company our values apply to both our staff and our customers, fostering close relationships that build trust throughout teams and that clearly reflects in our service to customers. We are a local family-oriented optician with a strong fashion sense and a forward thinking attitude. We have won many national awards and are considered one of the best independent opticians in the UK.

Meet the team

Gregory Mayor FBDO – Manager and Dispensing Optician
Natalie Sklavou – Optical Assistant 
Meeta Patel FBDO – Dispensing Optician
Eren Kaygisiz FBDO – Dispensing Optician 

"When it comes to Opticians there is only one place I want to go. 

These guys are knowledgeable, engaging and know their customer service!!"

Mar Doncel, London

Eyecare

An eye examination at Observatory the Opticians is not just a sight test. As well as measuring for any prescription you may require for spectacles or contact lenses, we will also conduct various tests for a full range of general health conditions that can be monitored at the back of your eyes. At your first appointment records will be kept that will allow us to monitor even the smallest changes on subsequent visits. This is why an eye examination is important, even if you do not need spectacles.

An eye exam can detect serious health conditions such as:

• diabetic retinopathy
• dementia
• high blood pressure
• cardiovascular disease
• cancer
• brain tumours

At Observatory the Opticians our services include:

• Eye Examinations and 3D advanced eye examinations using an OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomographer) – a comprehensive range of services to test your eye sight and check the health of your eyes
• NHS sight tests for those who are entitled to free eye care. We can also help you to understand whether you are entitled to a Free NHS sight test
• VDU glasses, VDU assessment and corporate eye tests – We can offer lenses, advice and support for those who spend considerable time working at a computer.

Call us today to find out more.

Eyewear

Greg and the team are passionate about eyewear and extensively research collections and designers. Every year, Greg visits the London, Milan and Paris trade shows to see what next season's eyewear has to offer and to hand edit the selection that you will find in the practice. Iconic fashion houses like Chanel and Moscot will always be popular, but Greg will also visit the more unusual and recently established stands for something a little different. Bold designs from Face a Face and WooW, sit alongside more classic and traditional designs by Lindberg and Ray-Ban. Recent collections from Celine, Cutler and Gross and Oliver Goldsmith keep the practice fashion forward.

With the perfect combination of frame and lenses, you will not only see better but look great too. We will assist you with choosing your ideal frame for your choice of lenses, face shape, colouring and your personality. We will then fit your frame so that it offers you optimal vision and comfort.

"Wonderful service, caring and attentive staff, my family and I (including children) have been coming here for years, Excellent!!"

Nirma Jethaw, London

Contact Lenses

It is now easier and more comfortable to wear contact lenses than ever before. No longer do you have to be either a contact lens or spectacle wearer. Nowadays you can wear either spectacles or contact lenses when you want. Perhaps you have a sporting or leisure activity that would be more enjoyable when wearing contact lenses.

We supply contact lenses from every major contact lens manufacturer. This allows us to offer you a choice of lenses to suit you, your visual requirements and your lifestyle needs. Some brands are just worn once and then thrown away. This eliminates the need and expense of contact lens solutions.

As a specialist contact lens practice we are able to fit and supply almost anyone with contact lenses, regardless of prescription. We also supply lenses to correct astigmatism and progressive lenses that are similar to varifocal spectacle lenses. So, you no longer have to be under 40 to benefit from contact lenses.

Soft contact lenses:

• Daily disposable
• 2-weekly or monthly disposable
• Extended wear
• Toric
• Multifocal
• Tinted and coloured lenses

Rigid Gas Permeable for all prescriptions.

Aftercare

Regular aftercare appointments are essential for maintaining the health and comfort of your eyes. At these, your optician will be able to give you reliable aftercare advice and can help if you have any problems with your lenses.

If you are a new wearer, you will need check-ups during the first weeks and months of wear. After that you should have regular check-ups as recommended by your optician.

Contact us today to find out how wearing contact lenses could allow you to get more out of life.

Sunglasses

Style and performance

All our sunglasses either with or without your prescription are guaranteed to fully protect your eyes from harmful UV rays and you should be able to find a pair that will enable you to make a fashion statement too, if you wish.

When buying sunglasses it is important not just to choose a pair that you look good wearing, but have good quality lenses too. This will ensure you do not get headaches due to the distortions often found in very cheap lenses.

You will be able to choose from a wide range of custom-made, prescription sunglasses, as well as non-prescription sunglasses from a range of manufacturers in standard, full UV tints and polarised versions. Our stock changes regularly to reflect the latest designs and includes classic designs, as well as high fashion styles. We have sunglasses in stock all year round.

Photochromic lenses

These are special lenses that change tint precisely when needed. 'Transitions' lenses react quickly to every situation, sunlight or shade, indoors or outdoors. They are virtually clear indoors and can rapidly change to a stylish tint outdoors to give protection against harmful glare. They provide 100% protection from UVA and UVB radiation. They are available in a choice of brown or grey tints. Made from lightweight plastic they are much lighter than glass lenses and respond to light changes in seconds.

They are really convenient when going in and outdoors to save you having to swap spectacles with sunglasses. However, they do not work as well inside a car due to the car windows absorbing the rays which activate the lenses.

Sports sunglasses/protective eyewear

Because so many sports take place outdoors it is necessary to ensure that you protect your eyes from sunlight, wind, dust and water and yet at the same time make sure your visual performance is not restricted and at best enhanced. If you need any information about these ranges please feel free to contact us and we will happily demonstrate the relevant features of the models and advise you according to your sports and prescription sports sunglasses requirements.

We sell many brands of designer sunglasses including Tom Ford, Chanel, Maui Jim, Ray-Ban, Oliver Peoples, Face a Face, MOSCOT, L.G.R., Prada, Cutler and Gross, Oliver Goldsmith, Celine and Adidas sports. We  stock a large selection of Ray-Ban sunglasses including Aviator and Clubmaster models.

"This is the best opticians in the area in my opinion. Have been going there for many years. High tech equipment, coupled with old fashioned consistency. Many staff have been there for years! Always will give you the best deal and best sincere advice. Not just about the "money" but more about the "people"! (rare). Highly recommended by me and all my friends in the area."

Susanna S

3D Advanced Eye Exam

Our new state of the art 3D OCT scanner can offer you the ultimate in eye examinations, using equipment that is not readily available at many opticians. Using our state of the art Optical Coherence Tomographer we can produce a 3D image of your eye. This allows us to observe and compare cell changes that could affect your sight, up to five years before any signs or symptoms are obvious.

We check closely for changes that could indicate the beginning of conditions such as Age-related Macular Degeneration, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy, which many patients worry about as they get older.

Early detection has the potential to save your sight, and even your life, by providing diagnostic information in time for treatment to be successful.

CALL US TODAY

Bollé Sports and Cycling sunglasses

Bollé delivers the highest quality sports sunglasses, both for performance and protection. Technologically advanced eyewear, specifically designed for your sport, Bollé offer a superb combination of fit, fashion and comfort.

Bollé sunglasses are truly customised, with multi-plane nosepieces the can be adjusted to accommodate any nose bridge. The hypoallergenic and durable nose pads can also be tailored for a custom fit.  Manufactured in Bollés Thermogrip, which has moisture absorbing properties, your sunglasses will stay in place, even in the most extreme conditions.

Lenses customised to your prescription and sport, offer the optimum solution for your sporting needs. Pinless hinges and B88 nylon frames also provide a flexible, lightweight and exceedingly strong pair of sunglasses. With summer in full swing, cycling, for work or pleasure, is high on the list of activities for people of all ages.  

For the cycling enthusiast, who covers many miles on the road, sunglasses that offer the ultimate in vision, comfort and protection can be a vital part of their equipment. Bollé sunglasses feature strongly in the world of cycling, being the official supplier of some world class teams.

CALL US TODAY for more details

Tom Ford Eyewear

Appointments

Appointments for eye exams are available between 9.30am and 5pm. Eye examinations take between 30 and 40 minutes depending on the type of exam you are having.

If our optometrist finds that you need glasses, they will give you a prescription. Following your exam, a member of the team can spend as much time as needed to help you find your perfect frame and then take all the necessary measurements to ensure your perfect vision. If you don’t have time to choose your glasses, you are welcome to return at another time and we can help you then. You should allow at least an hour in total if possible to have your exam and choose your frame.

Appointments for contact lens fitting and checks take approximately 30 minutes. If this is the first time you have worn contact lenses, it may take longer.

Please call or visit us if you would like to book an appointment.

"Beautiful practice with an extensive choice of unusual and classic frames. The staff were really patient and knowledgeable. 

I would never go anywhere else."

Amy Rowe