We are an independent opticians at 77 Thoroughfare, run by optometrist Alex Gaines. You see the same faces each visit, the examination takes the time it needs, and the lenses are glazed in our own lab a few feet from the chair. NHS and private patients are both welcome.
From a child's first sight test to low-vision aids in later life, all under one roof on the Thoroughfare.
A full diagnostic eye examination, with time to talk through what we find. Private sight tests are £40 and usually include retinal photography. NHS tests are available to everyone who qualifies, with a £15 option to add retinal photography. You choose which of our optometrists you see, so you keep seeing the same person.
A calm first eye test for small children, with no rush. For children whose short-sight is increasing we fit MiYOSMART and Stellest lenses, designed to slow the progression of myopia rather than just correct this year’s prescription. Many frames are free against an NHS spectacle voucher.
Frames from Oakley, Ray-Ban, Ralph Lauren, William Morris, Wolf, Stepper, Silhouette and Flexon, from £25, plus a reconditioned rack at £20 with the proceeds going to charity. In our own laboratory each frame is electronically traced and the lenses glazed to sit over the centres of your eyes.
Contact lens fitting and aftercare for new and returning wearers. For patients living with reduced vision, including macular degeneration, we supply low-vision aids such as the Schweizer illuminated magnifiers, fitted to the task you need them for, whether that is reading post or seeing a price label.
The practice did not start with a brand. It started in 1971, when Ron Hurlock turned a house at 77 Thoroughfare into an opticians. Andrew Field took it on in 1989, and in 1992 he took on a trainee for his pre-registration year. That trainee was Alex Gaines, who learned the chair from both men and, when they moved toward retirement, kept the practice going.
Ron carried on testing eyes until he was 80, and lived to 94. Andrew is remembered here too. The continuity they built is the thing we still protect: you get to choose which optometrist you see, so the person reading your eyes is the person who read them last time.
“So much better than the Specsavers cattle market. The staff know you, and remember your name.” From the practice's Google reviews
Some people find that letters seem to move or blur, and white paper looks too bright. It is called visual stress, or Meares-Irlen syndrome, and it is a separate thing to dyslexia even though the two often travel together. Alex Gaines has over fifteen years assessing and treating it, in adults and in children from the age of six.
A short note to start things off. For anything urgent, a lost or broken pair, an eye that suddenly worries you, please phone 01394 382718 and ask for a slot. Because we glaze on site we can often turn a replacement pair around quickly.
77 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 1AH
Phone · 01394 382718
Email · orders@eyepractice.co.uk
We are on the Thoroughfare in the centre of Woodbridge, a short walk up the hill from the Tide Mill and the River Deben. The door is closed for an hour over lunch, and Saturday is mornings only.
OPENING HOURSClosed for lunch 13:00 to 14:00, Monday to Friday. Closed Sundays.
Sight tests are by appointment so we can give you the full time the examination needs. Phone 01394 382718 and we will find a slot, and you can ask for a particular optometrist if you would like to see the same person as last time. For collections, adjustments and quick questions you are welcome to call in.
A private sight test is £40 and usually includes retinal photography. NHS sight tests are available to everyone who qualifies, and you can add retinal photography for £15. We welcome both NHS and private patients, and many frames are free against an NHS spectacle voucher.
That can be visual stress, also called Meares-Irlen syndrome. It is a separate thing to dyslexia, though the two often go together. We assess binocular vision and eye tracking, run a coloured overlay test and a rate-of-reading test, and where tinted lenses help we choose the precise tint on a colorimeter. We do not test for it under the age of six.
Yes to both. We glaze high-index lenses up to 1.74 and aspheric lenses to reduce weight and thickness, all in our own on-site laboratory. For children whose short-sight is increasing we fit MiYOSMART and Stellest lenses, which are designed to slow how quickly myopia progresses.
Because we glaze on site we can often turn things around quickly. One patient was seen for an emergency appointment and had new glasses ready within two days. Phone us and we will tell you honestly what is possible for your prescription.