As a former accounting professional, starting a new late second career in optics, I have visited a number of optical shops in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. I am currently doing a directed research project as one of my final classes in the HCC Opticianry Program which requires me to visit a number of shops. I am interested in learning about the products being offered and the professionalism and service levels of the individual establishments. Unfortunately, many of the shops are what I would call cookie cutter type retail type chain stores, that are carrying the same products that all of the others do and base their sales concept on pricing. Some although fewer and fewer these days base their business concept on expediting processing of spectacles; which if the truth be told is not feasible with respect to the finest optics available these days. Excellence in optics has transitioned to digital free form technology which in a nutshell makes thousands of exacting cuts in the spectacle lenses based on the curvature and axis rotation and wearing specifications of the patient. The machinery to create these individually crafted lenses is extremely expensive and unaffordable for the independent or even individual franchise location; it takes a major wholesale lab or central hub to cut the finest available lenses these days.
All this being said, when I went into Ioptics to browse I was amazed at the exquisite collection of beautiful spectacle frames. I have been to a number of optical boutiques in the past but never seen such a varied assortment of fine eye-wear. That being said I was greeted by an optician who was cheerful and friendly and asked if she could help me. I told her that I am in my final semester in school and learned she is the proprietor of the shop. Sharon told me to go ahead and feel free to look around and told me to ask her any questions I had that could possibly help me with my project. While looking at a her collections, several other people came into the shop and were similarly greeted in a very friendly and unassuming manner. I was able to listen in on a customer selecting a frame which included color and fashion consulting as well as painstaking attention to the patients RX needs and lifestyle, both of which are important in selection of the best frame and lenses. As the patient was consulted there was no indication that a sale was of the most importance and much attention was given to assure that the customer was indeed very happy with their selection.
I waited until the customer decided to complete the purchase and then observed the measurements and lens consultation. As the customer left I stayed and chatted with Sharon about they lenses she utilizes and learned that she prefers to do the digital free form only whether it be for progressive lenses or for single vision; as I mentioned previously I strongly feel that this is the only way to go these days. Sharon also explained to me her inspection process detail and I can assure you that it by the book and then some.
I am very impressed with Ioptics in Sarasota. It is definitely not a shop for people that are primarily price conscious, but it is one for people that are concerned with the finest optics, fashion, and friendly service professionalism available.
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