WHO ARE WE?

My name is Sarah Gibson and I own and manage Sarah Gibson Optometrist, an independent optical practice in Wincanton. I graduated from University of Wales College of Cardiff (UWCC) in 1993 with a BSc Hons. in Ophthalmic Optics and undertook a year of compulsory pre-registration training in an independent practice in Bristol before passing my professional qualifying examinations in 1994. I regularly attend conferences to keep up to date with advances in Optics and, like all my professional colleagues, undertake regular continued education and training.

The practice has been in Wincanton since 1996 when it was opened, as Eyetech Opticians, in what was once the Sports Shop. Eyetech Opticians is a small partnership which owns and runs several independent practices, mainly in the South West. I worked for Eyetech for 10 years as a mobile optometrist covering several practices, including Wincanton, before making the rather scary decision to go it alone....

I bought the practice in May 2004 and changed the name to Sarah Gibson Optometrist shortly afterwards. The practice still uses the Eyetech Practice Systems laboratory for the majority of its spectacle production and still uses the booking and accounts package as it was specially written to deal with the complexities of the optical environment.

(Comfortable chairs and children's play area)

The practice has undergone some significant changes since May 2004 with the introduction of computerised test charts, a revamp of the waiting area and the introduction of a children’s play area in 2004 and the purchase of a digital fundus camera in 2005. I am keen to promote a high standard of eye-care and the practice aims for clinical excellence in everything that it undertakes. To help us achieve the highest standards of eye-care more advanced clinical equipment is on the shopping list.

(The Digital Fundus Camera)

The practice offers an eye-care scheme through EyeplanTM and members benefit from significant savings on spectacles and contact lenses plus free eye care, including digital fundus photography.

Because we are independent we can fit and supply all types of contact lenses and I am a registered Chromagen TM practitioner. We are not limited to specific manufacturers and can choose to stock and supply whichever brands of spectacle frames and lenses we choose.

The practice currently employs 3 front-of-house staff. Becca Reed, Katie Slimm & Jess Stapleton. They assure me that without them the place would grind to a halt and nothing would get done! They are probably right...