Business Details
Expert Opticians in Edinburgh
Established in Edinburgh and East Lothian, Downes Opticians is an independent practice dedicated to providing personalised eyecare and eyewear solutions. Our team of advanced qualified optometrists and professional support staff prioritise individual patient needs through extended appointment times and comprehensive eye examinations. We utilise state-of-the-art clinical equipment to ensure early diagnosis and treatment of eye conditions, with our optometrists trained as Independent Prescribers for advanced eye care management. Sustainability is central to our operations, offering recycled frame ranges and contact lens recycling services. Our specialised clinics address children's eyecare, myopia management, sports vision, and visual stress, while our styling consultants help clients select eyewear matching their facial structure and personal style.We maintain strong ethical values and community focus, demonstrated through free NHS eye examinations funded by the Scottish Government. Our commitment to excellence has earned us recognition as one of the region's leading opticians, with particular expertise in paediatric eyecare and contact lens fittings. We combine technical expertise with a friendly, patient-centred approach to create a unique eyecare experience. Our partnerships with international eyewear designers allow us to offer exclusive collections that balance style, functionality, and sustainability. This holistic approach ensures we meet both clinical and aesthetic needs for all our clients.
Services
Eye Examinations
Eyewear Consultations
Contact Lenses
Myopia Management
Children's Eyecare
OCT Scans
Frame Styling
Sports Vision
Visual Stress Clinics
Independent Prescribing
Highlights and features
- We offer extended appointment times for thorough patient consultations
- Our optometrists are Independent Prescribers with advanced qualifications
- We provide specialised clinics for children's eyecare and myopia management
- Our eyewear consultants offer expert styling advice for perfect fit and style
- We combine cutting-edge technology with sustainable business practices
What people say
Thorough and child-friendly
Top class service
Amazing range of glasses
Comprehensive eye tests
Fantastic staff
Services
Eye Examinations
Our comprehensive eye examinations use advanced diagnostic technology to assess vision health and detect potential medical conditions. Appointments include detailed analysis of visual acuity, eye health, and prescription requirements. Our Independent Prescribing Optometrists can identify and manage various eye conditions during these assessments.
Eyewear Consultations
Personalised eyewear consultations help clients select frames that complement their facial features and lifestyle needs. Our consultants provide expert advice on frame materials, lens options, and style choices from our exclusive international collections.
Myopia Management
Specialised myopia management clinics offer treatment options to slow progression of short-sightedness in children. Using advanced contact lenses or spectacles, our optometrists develop tailored management plans to reduce future eye health risks associated with high myopia.
Children's Eyecare
Dedicated children's eyecare services include adapted eye examinations and specialist contact lens fittings. Our team creates engaging experiences for young patients while addressing specific vision development needs and providing age-appropriate eyewear solutions.
OCT Scans
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans provide detailed retinal imaging for early detection of eye diseases. This non-invasive diagnostic tool allows our optometrists to identify potential issues up to four years before conventional examination methods would detect them.
People
Clare Downes
Independent Prescribing Optometrist
Clare combines extensive clinical expertise with a patient-centred approach, specialising in advanced eye health assessments and independent prescribing. Her focus on comprehensive care ensures optimal vision solutions for all patients.
Sophie Campbell
Independent Prescribing Optometrist
Sophie brings specialist knowledge in ocular disease management and contact lens fittings, with particular interest in paediatric vision development and myopia control strategies for young patients.
Sarah Harris
Practice Manager
Sarah oversees daily operations while maintaining high standards of patient care, coordinating our specialist clinics and ensuring seamless service delivery across both practice locations.
Anne Fairgrieve
Practice Manager
Anne manages administrative operations with focus on patient experience, coordinating appointments and supporting clinical teams to maintain the practice's ethical and service standards.
Tanya Abraham
Optical Advisor
Tanya provides expert eyewear guidance, helping clients select frames that combine style, comfort, and optical performance while offering detailed product knowledge about our sustainable frame collections.
Questions
What services do you offer for children's eyecare?
We provide adapted eye examinations for children, specialist contact lens fittings from age five, and frame styling services ensuring comfortable, appealing eyewear solutions for young patients.
Do you offer OCT eye scans?
Yes, we offer OCT scans as an advanced diagnostic tool for early detection of eye conditions, available as a private service for £40 in addition to standard eye examinations.
What eyewear brands do you stock?
We stock exclusive international brands including Face Face, ECO, Gtti, Tom Ford, Alium, Etnia Barcelona, and ProDesign, with frames starting at £70.
Are your optometrists qualified to prescribe treatments?
All our optometrists are Independent Prescribers or in training, qualified to diagnose eye conditions and prescribe appropriate treatments without requiring hospital referrals.
Do you offer NHS eye examinations?
Yes, we provide free NHS eye examinations funded by the Scottish Government, with optional private OCT scans available for additional diagnostic assessment.
What sustainability initiatives do you have?
We offer recycled frame ranges, frames made from sustainable materials, and contact lens recycling. Our ECO brand frames support reforestation through their 'One Frame – One Tree' programme.
