Appointments		Commitment		Specialist		Contact Lenses
Staff		Directors		Corporate Eyecare

A Centre of Optometric Care

Your eyesight is precious. Without good vision it is difficult to enjoy many everyday activities such as reading, driving or watching TV. Poor eyesight may also indicate the presence of potentially serious health problems like diabetes, high blood pressure and glaucoma.
That is why you should not only have your eyes examined regularly by an optometrist, but also demand the highest standards of professional care. The Institute of Optometry is a recognised centre of excellence for vision care. It is open to everyone, regardless of their visual needs, and people from across the UK attend its London clinic. Although some are referred by their own optometrist, most come through personal recommendation.

Quality Eyewear

It is important to have glasses which suit you, so our commitment to excellence includes a wide choice of modern frames, including designer brands, at prices to suit all pockets.

Equally important, our staff will give you expert advice on choosing the right spectacles, taking into account your lenses, lifestyle, facial shape and personal preferences. We will take as much time as necessary to ensure your new glasses really suit you.

For over 75 years the Institute has been providing quality eye care. Established in 1922 as the London Refraction Hospital, it became the Institute of Optometry in 1988 when its role expanded to include post-graduate training and education. Our philosophy has, however, remained the same since its formation. This is, quite simply, to offer the best possible eye care to every person who attends.

An eye examination at the Institute takes longer than usual, often 45 minutes, because of our commitment to excellence. We aim to achieve your full visual potential and this can only be done by thoroughly checking your eyes and assessing your needs. We are also happy to discuss your vision and explain our findings to you.

An important part of the Institute’s work is to provide specialised eyecare services which are often not available from local practitioners. For example, we can help people with squints, ‘lazy’ eye, dry eye, binocular vision problems, and the partially sighted. We also monitor patients with diabetes and glaucoma.
Many local optometrists and doctors refer patients to the Institute with ocular complications which require more detailed investigation and specialist knowledge.
We also hold clinics where those considering laser corrective surgery can be assessed for their suitability for this treatment.

Learning difficulties can sometimes be related to visual complications. The Institute’s dedicated clinic examines both children and adults who suffer from dyslexia and other specific difficulties, correcting visual problems and reducing visual stress. The visual distortions produced by visual stress can also be associated with migraine, visual sensitivity and, in some cases, epilepsy.

• How to book a first appointment in the specific learning difficulties and visual stress clinic.

• About fees for the Specific Learning Difficulties and Visual Stress Clinic.

• About coloured Overlays and Coloured Lenses - FAQs.

Our aim is to provide contact lenses which give you clear and comfortable vision, so time will be taken to assess carefully your suitability and explain the options available. The Institute specialises in helping people who are having problems or previously were unable to wear contact lenses, but anyone wanting to try contact lenses as an alternative to spectacles is welcome to book an appointment at this clinic.

The Institute has a corporate eye care unit which enables companies to offer quality optical care to their employees. Staff using visual display units in particular may experience eye strain and headaches, so we offer specific advice and assistance in this area. Many firms have a legal obligation to offer sight tests and, where necessary, spectacles to regular VDU users.