Business Details
Your Trusted Opticians in Cardiff
Chalmers Opticians, established in Cardiff over 60 years ago, has evolved into one of South Wales' leading optical practices through a commitment to innovation and personalised care. Founded by Ian Chalmers in 1980, our practice combines family values with cutting-edge technology, including OCT scans, Optomap imaging, and DNEye scanners, to deliver precise diagnostics and tailored eyecare solutions. Our on-site optical laboratory ensures rapid service for all patients, while our team of qualified optometrists and dispensing specialists provide expert advice on contact lenses, designer frames, and advanced lens technologies. We specialise in myopia management, visual dyslexia assessments, and orthokeratology, addressing diverse optical needs from childhood to later life.Our Eyeplan membership offers affordable, comprehensive eyecare packages, reflecting our dedication to accessible, high-quality service. With over 45,000 patients, we maintain a reputation for technical excellence and compassionate care, evidenced by our award for Best Dispensing Optician at the 2022 Optometry Awards. Our multidisciplinary team, including audiologists and hearing care specialists, ensures holistic health solutions, while our partnerships with institutions like Cardiff University demonstrate our commitment to advancing optical education and practice.
Services
Eye Examinations
Contact Lenses
Designer Frames
Spectacle Lenses
Myopia Management
Hearing Care
Visual Dyslexia Assessments
Laser Vision Consultation
Children's Eye Care
OCT Scans
Highlights and features
- We have over 60 years of experience in optical care
- Specialists in contact lens fitting and myopia management
- Advanced eye examinations with OCT, Optomap, and DNEye technology
- On-site optical laboratory for fast, custom lens production
- Comprehensive Eye Plan membership for affordable, ongoing care
What people say
Attention to detail
Caring staff
Excellent choice
Trust with eyesight
Fantastic eye test
Services
Advanced Eye Examinations
Our comprehensive 40-minute eye examinations utilise OCT scans, Optomap imaging, and DNEye technology to assess retinal health, corneal topography, and prescription accuracy to 0.01 dioptres. These tests detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration while ensuring optimal vision correction. Patients receive detailed explanations of results and tailored eyecare recommendations from qualified optometrists.
Myopia Management
Specialist treatments for children and young adults include orthokeratology lenses, Mysight daily disposables, and Eiden Eye lenses to slow myopia progression. Our approach combines corneal reshaping technology with lifestyle advice on screen use and outdoor activity. Regular monitoring tracks axial length changes to ensure effective long-term vision management and reduce future eye health risks.
Contact Lens Fitting
We offer free trial lenses and expert fitting for daily disposables, silicone hydrogel, and gas permeable lenses. Our optometrists specialise in complex cases including keratoconus, providing customised solutions with brands like EYEDREAM and ALEXA AR. Patients receive comprehensive aftercare and instruction on proper lens handling and hygiene practices.
Designer Eyewear
Our extensive collection features luxury brands including Prada, Gucci, and Tom Ford alongside exclusive designs from our in-house Eye Candy range. Dispensing opticians provide personalised styling advice, with options spanning lightweight titanium frames to handcrafted acetate designs suitable for all face shapes and budgets.
Visual Dyslexia Assessment
Specialised orthoscopic evaluations identify visual perception difficulties using ReadEye technology to determine optimal coloured filter prescriptions. This 1-hour assessment, conducted by Ian Chalmers, addresses reading challenges through precision-tinted lenses or overlays, benefiting patients with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and visual stress from screen use.
People
Ian Chalmers
Managing Director
Qualified in London (1977), Ian is a Foundation Fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians. He specialises in contact lens fitting and orthoscopic assessments, contributing to clinical trials for new lens technologies. With over 40 years in practice, he combines technical expertise with family business values.
Daniel Franks
Optometrist
A Cardiff University graduate (2010), Daniel holds Independent Prescriber certification and WECS accreditation. He manages emergency eye cases, conducts research trials, and contributes to professional development through the Alcon Scholarship programme while maintaining clinical excellence in patient care.
Leona Leibner
Optometrist
Qualified in 2001, Leona brings hospital eye service experience and Welsh Eyecare Service accreditation. She supervises optometry students at Cardiff University and has volunteered with Vision Aid Overseas, providing eyecare in underserved African communities while specialising in low vision assessments.
Sarah Williams
Optometrist
A Cardiff graduate (2019) with Welsh Eye Care Scheme accreditation, Sarah specialises in contact lens fitting and provides bilingual Welsh-English consultations. Her expertise combines traditional optometric practice with modern diagnostic techniques to serve diverse patient needs.
Natalia Ferreira-Felix
Clinical Optical Assistant
Natalia conducts advanced pre-screening assessments using Zeiss Humphrey visual field analyser, Optomap, and OCT equipment. She specialises in corneal topography measurements for contact lens fitting and axial length monitoring for myopia management programmes.
Questions
What eye examination technologies do you use?
We utilise OCT scans, Optomap imaging, and DNEye scanners for comprehensive retinal analysis and prescription accuracy to 0.01 dioptres during 40-minute advanced eye exams.
Do you provide children's eye care services?
Yes, we offer NHS-funded examinations for under-19s, myopia management programmes, and visual perception assessments for reading difficulties using specialist equipment.
What payment options are available?
We offer Eyeplan membership schemes from £6/month covering exams and lenses, with flexible payment arrangements for custom eyewear purchases.
Do you stock designer eyewear brands?
Yes, we feature luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, and Tom Ford alongside exclusive collections from independent designers and our own Eye Candy range.
Is hearing care available?
Our Amplify Hearing partnership provides complimentary hearing tests, microsuction wax removal, and Beltone hearing aid fittings conducted by qualified audiologists.
