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Respectacle Company Optometrist celebrates 40 years in the optical industry

We’re only three months into 2024, and it has already been a significant year for Respectacle Company. As of January, the optical has been open for eight years. This year also marks the considerable milestone of 40 years in the optical industry for our Optometrist, Mr Tim Hanby.

Tim qualified in February 1984 and has been providing optical services to the good people of Market Harborough ever since. He started his Optometry career with the Co-op Opticians in the High Street in Market Harborough before moving to the newly built units on Manor Walk. You may or may not remember, but after a few years, the Co-op pulled out of the optical business. So, Tim took over the complete operation. He continued as T J Hanby Opticians until we joined forces eight years ago, in January 2016.

Over the years, Tim has seen a lot of changes on Manor Walk. Businesses have come and gone, but it remains a lovely little pedestrianised shopping precinct and home to a diverse range of shops, eateries, offices, and hairdressers. Tim has also seen a lot of patients over the years.

We wanted to acknowledge Tim’s incredible achievement, so on the 20th of February, we had a little celebratory lunchtime buffet with Tim, current and former employees, and his family. It was lovely for everyone to get together for a catch-up and to reminisce about past experiences.

 

Tim has retained some loyal customers, with some visiting him for over 30 years. Some are sadly no longer with us, but many continue to seek his expertise and experience to look after the health of their eyes. We now also see new generations of these loyal patients, and with some families, we look after grandparents, parents and now their grandchildren. Tim must have something special for all these people to continue to trust him with their eye care.

 

Over 40 years, there have been a lot of changes within the optical industry. Although Tim continues to use many traditional methods of testing and examining patients, we have also invested in new technology as it’s developed over the years. We have introduced OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) technology. A 3D screening system takes a scan through the layers of your eyes and can detect potentially serious conditions at a much earlier stage compared to other examination methods. It’s a considerable advancement in the optical industry and allows for early intervention and management of conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, and vitreous detachments. We also use the Seiko column, a digital measuring device that enables more accurate measurements to be recorded when dispensing Seiko lenses to our customers.

Tim has done a sterling job over the last 40 years, embracing many challenges and changes within our industry. He’s moved with the times whilst staying true to his original training and experience by continuing to offer the high standard of care his customers expect.

We want to express our gratitude to Tim for his dedication and hard work during the past eight years that he has been a part of the Respectacle team. We want to assure our customers that even though Tim has been with us for a long time and has had many experiences, he has no plans of leaving anytime soon. Therefore, he will continue to provide exceptional service to all who visit Respectacle Company on Manor Walk. This is great news for us, and we are confident that our customers will be pleased as well.

If you would like to schedule an eye examination appointment with Tim, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Our clinics are held on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, and we offer appointments from 9 am to 4.30 pm. To check Tim’s availability and book your next eye test, please call 01858 433 577. It is recommended that you have your eyes examined every two years, unless directed differently by the Optometrist. So, take care of your eyes and book an appointment today!

Further reading:

Respectacle Company takes a team building trip to the Cotswolds

Respectacle Company announces a new addition to their optical team

Respectacle celebrates four fabulous years in Market Harborough