After a recent visit to Optomise in Newtownards I wondered why someone would go to a local optician…read morerather than a big brand opticians such as Specsavers? The only way to solve this debate is a good old fashioned shoot out: Optomise is a well established family business with a lot of experience. Sure you may say that Specsavers for instance employ experience staff but do they greet you by your first name when you walk into the shop? Optomise have further enhanced their services by introducing house calls to elderly and vulnerable people to their list of attributes. They offer a good choice of frames and a competitive price depending your prescription. They will also work around the customers schedule and make an appointment that is convenient for you rather than the big brand policy of fitting you in when it suits them. So there we have it, after an intriguing match up between big brand opticians and Optomise, it appears that Optomise have come out on top with a resounding 5 star to nil victory. Optomise are sure to stay top of the optician league for a long time to come. I know what your thinking, and no the refree does not need glasses.

I have used RA Glass as my optician ever since childhood. The branch in Carrickfergus is the…read moreoriginal branch of which there are now 6 stores. I have always been very happy with the treatment and service I have got from RA Glass, particularly in the last number of years as I have come to require glasses. All eye-tests are through and stress free, the opticians are friendly and can answer any questions I have without any issues. They also have a good range of frames available, and contact lens plans (I haven't plucked out the courage to try these yet though!!)

I'm a bat and have been wearing contact lenses and glasses for YEARS - I'll not say how many but…read moreit's decades. I wouldn't go to any optician other than Creswell. I've changed my doctor and dentist numerous times over the years but I always use the same opticians. The eye tests are thorough and competitively priced and Gamble and Creswell have a massive offering of contacts, glasses frames (designer and more economically priced) and lenses. I wore gas permeable contacts for years and a few years ago my eyes started to reject them. My optician Mr Creswell was great in allowing me to trial loads of new lenses before I settled on my current soft monthly contacts. Simply brilliant customer service. They are very flexible allowing appointments to be made even outside the normal 9-5 standard working week. I just wouldn't trust another optician - Gamble and Creswell are the best. Superb.

Mackeys is a great opticians , I've been going here since I was a lot younger. I got a recent eye…read moretest and the optician was very friendly and very good at doing at what she does . Gave my eyes a good thorough examination and found out that I have some tearing at my retina, now going to refer me to a specialist possibly for laser surgery to hopefully repair and prevent any future damage. very good opticians, lots of frames to choose from and accurate fitting. I got my new glasses the next day so no long waiting. Car parking to rear of premises.

Although Mackeys may not be the only opticians in the area it is probably the biggest, most obvious…read moreand closest to me. For me, being somewhat contrary and choosy, big and obvious isn't usually my first choice but this time the task on hand was to arrange for my daughter to get contact lenses ASAP and going to Mackeys seemed to be the easiest way of getting the job done. In the event an appointment was arranged quite quickly, almost within a week. This was commendable because I often find that that getting an appointment with an optician can involve a long wait. As it turned out the lenses were fitted easily without any fuss. A pair of contact lenses was provided on trial to see if they were suitable and once that was ok everything was quickly sorted out. Since then I've been a perfectly satisfied customer of Mackeys. I haven't used them for getting glasses yet but they seem to have a good a range as anywhere so I wouldn't hesitate to do so if the need arises.

I know of this place due to the deficiencies in my girlfriends' eyes and I really admire the…read moreservice and shop that is on offer here. The shop floor is modern and spacious, and is a vast amount prettier than most of the stores in and around Downpatrick. The different brands of glasses on sale here are clearly categorised and labelled to let you know their prices and suitability for different eye conditions. The optometrist herself is a lovely woman. My girlfriend regularly has to collect her prescription for her contacts her and she always receives timely and personal service here. It would be easier for her to get someone closer to home but she likes to stay her because of the quality service that she gets here, so I have only good things to say. Hopefully my girlfriend will not have to go here too much longer as she wants to get her eyes lasered, which is alarmingly expensive for of you who don't know, you are looking at £3000!!!

Great, independent business in city centre. They have a great collection of good quality, well made…read moreglasses, not just the typical ones with large branding. The staff are friendly and Jonathan himself is excellent. Highly recommend. They have cleaned and repaired lots of my glasses for free as I'm a customer.

Just want to say a big thank you to Nicola for her help and friendly service…read more Made me feel valued and I am delighted with my purchase. Highly recommend Lavertys to family and friends. H

From the owner: We are an Independent Optometry business which has been serving customers the best level of eyecare…read morefor almost 30 years. We take pride in delivering a personal service, looking after all ages and stock frames from a variety of suppliers. We deal with all aspects of Optometry from Kids to Adults, the latest contact lenses to low vision aids. Our Optometrists give professional advice on an individual basis. Each appointment taking 30 minutes unlike some competitors who take 15 minutes.