Eye Test at David Clulow Opticians and New Glasses!

I have a confession to make. I have been living in the UK for over seven years (where has the time gone?!) but I still go to my opticians back in the Netherlands for eye checks and new glasses every time I am back home. I always find it a reassuring feeling to visit someone who has known my glasses history for many years and who I know provides quality service and products – and here in the UK the cheaper brands you see pop up on every high street never appealed to me. However, I recently discovered David Clulow opticians, which while having multiple stores across the country, felt as personal as my family-owned opticians back home.




It was about a year and a half since my last eye check and, not going to lie, I was dreading getting my eyes tested again. While my prescription hasn't changed much in recent years, I do still worry each time I have to get my eyes tested that it has gotten significantly worse again (especially since I spend the majority of my waking hours in front of a screen).

Thankfully the optometrist who helped me at the David Clulow Covent Garden store, Gary, was very pleasant and calm, making me feel very comfortable for what isn't a super fun test to begin with (I mean, each time I'm unable to read the full line of letters on the wall I'm getting flashbacks to school exams... Also, do the letters in the green and red circles ever look different to anyone else? They usually look the same to me).

But before I knew it the test was over already and lo and behold my prescription hadn't changed this time! That made me very happy. Gary also asked some generic questions and gave me a head's up that if I ever saw 'floaters' or 'spots', to keep an eye on this.




After the eye test it was time to look for a new pair of glasses. Now, the shape of my face combined with prescription lenses means that a frame with smaller glasses is more suitable for me. This is normally quite hard to find and so I was prepared to be looking around for ages for a suitable frame, but the manager of David Clulow Covent Garden, Shaun, instantly had a pair of spectacles in mind he thought would be suitable: the Paul Smith Woodley frame.

I did have a browse in a few of the other locations afterwards, but he was spot on with his recommendation as this was the frame that was most suitable for my face and prescription (and gorgeous to boot).

The Paul Smith Woodley comes in a range of colours, including marbled brown & pink, black & mustard yellow, and orange & brown flecked, but I opted for the deep brown tortoise shell with the bright turquoise insides for that subtle pop of colour.





After deciding on the frame I was told it usually takes 8-10 working days for the prescription glasses to arrive, but I had a message from the store just a few days after placing my order that they'd already arrived!

Not only was delivery super fast but when I went to pick up the spectacles, the service was once again spot on; hugely personable and professional. And while usually the optician has to make some adjustments to the frame to ensure it's a suitable fit, this wasn't necessary with the Paul Smith Woodley frames as they already fit perfectly – it was clearly meant to be!

I honestly can't remember the last time getting new glasses had been such a swift and effortless experience, I am very happy that I have finally found an optician that I feel comfortable using here in the UK and I don't have to postpone my eye tests until the next time I go to the Netherlands again.

Many thanks to David Clulow opticians, and especially Shaun for his great help, for making me feel at ease and for the excellent service all around. 





If you want to pop by the same store I did, David Clulow Covent Garden is located just around the corner of the tube station on 6 Neal Street in London.

And while for me the Paul Smith frames were perfect, if you have your eyes set on a different brand then you're spoiled for choice as David Clulow stocks a range of high-end brands, from Tiffany to Giorgio Armani and from Ray-Ban to Prada. I definitely recommend checking them out the next time you need to get your eyes checked and/or are looking for a new pair of frames!



🎵 Listening to: Spin Doctors – Two Princes
🔹 Mood: Happy