Martin Smith Opticians Win UK Technology Practice of the Year 2021
“All the Finalists are great practices”, said the judges “but Martin Smith Opticians stood out for its successful patient management and exemplary action as an ambassador for modern optometry”.
Martin Smith Opticians won the most prestigious Opticians Award for the UK Technology Practice 2021 on 2nd Dec at an illustrious award ceremony at the Grosvenor Hotel in London. Martin Smith Opticians was the only finalist in the East Midlands region and has grown from strength to strength with its extended range of specialist clinical and dry eye treatments– many not readily available elsewhere in the UK. The treatments offered by Dr Martin Smith include Meibomian Gland Probing, Intense Pulsed Light treatment and Dry Eye consultations. Dr Smith is also a Glaucoma Specialist, Independent prescriber and one of the UK’s first 24 ‘autonomous’ surgical and laser trained Optometrists.
Dr Martin Smith – one of the 1st UK based optometrists to be certified to deliver advanced therapeutic techniques
Dr Martin Smith has added additional clinical skills to his already extensive line of qualifications. At the end of 2021 Dr Smith became one of the first optometrists in the UK to become certified to perform laser and surgical procedures independently. The attendance list at the course was a roll call of the high-flyers in UK Optometry and all had a common interest as Dr Smith explains “we had a shared ambition – to make a positive difference”.
Martin Smith Opticians were featured in Lincolnshire Life magazine in October 2021
“Martin Smith Opticians were featured in Lincolnshire Life magazine in October 2021.”
Here is a short extract from the article
Martin Smith Opticians, the private, independent optical practice in the heart of Lincoln, has built an outstanding reputation as the county’s leading optometric and dry eye centre. The practice is owned by Dr Martin Smith, a Doctor of Optometry, independent prescriber, glaucoma and macular expert and one of the most qualified optometrists in the UK. Dr Smith has exciting plans for the future of the practice. “My practice offers the highest level of eye care excellence,” he explained. “I provide an extensive range of eye care from private eye examinations to clinical examinations, dry eye specialist care, glaucoma appointments, and emergency appointments, as well as myopia management appointments for children and young adults, ensuring my patients receive exactly what they need, when they need it, and without restriction.”
View the full article here
Martin Smith Opticians September 2021 Newsletter
We hope you enjoyed our September newsletter. If you didn’t catch it please click on the link below.
Newsletter for Martin Smith Opticians 2021
Technically the safer optical option
MARTIN Smith Opticians has always embraced the latest technology to give patients the best possible care – it also makes eye examinations safer during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The state-of–the-art technology combines with a wide range of the latest frames from world-class designers and a multi-award winning team to provide great customer care at practice at 22 Saltergate, Lincoln.
“Martin Smith Opticians, one of the most technologically advanced optometric practices in the world. Dr Martin Smith, BSc DOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc MCOptom, established his own practice in 2004 and, through further research and academic training, has become one of the most highly qualified Doctors of Optometry in the UK,” explained practice manager Sue Edwards. Dr Smith (pictured top) is a glaucoma and macular expert who can advise and treat many eye conditions within the practice and as an Independent Prescriber he is able to issue prescriptions for medication saving patients a visit the hospital.
This year the practice has invested in a Zeiss Clarus 500 ultrawidefield, true colour, super high definition retinal camera, one of the first practices in the world to offer this system which can image up to 90% of the retina, compared to standard cameras which see only 15%.
Using advance equipment also means Dr Smith can minimise faceto- face contact with patients during eye examinations and socially distance while analysing the results.
“Traditional eye examinations require a considerable amount of direct face to face contact which even with PPE is undesirable, particularly during a pandemic,” said Dr Smith.
“Instead of a trial frame that an optometrist will put the lenses into whilst leaning over the patient we use a computerised equipment to give an accurate measurement of the prescription.
“This is then refined and I can change the lenses in front of the patient from a computer console, while behind a screen. It is faster and more accurate than traditional refraction and safer and more comfortable for the patient.”
Eye health is examined with a combination of a photographic slit lamp to look at the front of the eye, a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO) to give a widefield view of the retina and an optical coherence tomographer (OCT), which gives a scan of the retina and optic nerve.
“Using these instruments a huge amount of data can be gathered in just 3-4 minutes which I can then review from a socially distanced position. Not only is this faster than traditional methods, it is much more sensitive for detecting eye disease and much safer for the patient.”
The practice also has one of the most highly qualified and industry awarded teams in the UK – with 10 national accolades including Optometrist of the Year 2015, 2019 (Finalist 2018), Dispensing Optician of the Year 2018, 2019 (Finalist 2017), UK Practice of the Year 2019 (Finalist 2018) and Practice Team of the Year (Finalist 2018).
The team has introduced other new measures to protect patients from risk. A strict appointment only policy ensures that the practice is kept exclusive at all times with additional measures for cleanliness, screens and hand gels/masks.
Sue explained: “During lockdown, Martin Smith Opticians remained open to treat patients in need of emergency eye care and made improvements to the practice including the addition of a new Eyeplan scheme -a comprehensive eye care package designed to provide their patients with access to personalised eye examinations, great prices on quality spectacles and designer sunglasses for a small monthly subscription,” said Sue.
“Help is always on hand with frame styling advice from the expert team and there is an intriguingly different range of eyewear hand selected from leading international collections from Canada, Barcelona and the Italian Dolomites, from which to choose.”
If you would like to book an eye examination or consultation at Martin Smith Opticians call: 01522 521100.
Further innovations in patient care
Lincoln’s leading optometric practice, Martin Smith Opticians, remained open during lockdown to treat patients with critical eye conditions but the period also gave the team time to reflect and introduce further innovations in the care they offer.
DR MARTIN Smith, BSc DOptom DipTp(IP) Higher Cert Glauc MCOptom, established his own practice on Saltergate in 2004, and is one of the most highly qualified Doctors of Optometry in the UK.
Dr Smith, who is a glaucoma and macular expert, has continually invested in state-of-the-art optical equipment to support diagnosis and treatment of many eye conditions within the practice. As an Independent Prescriber he is able to issue prescriptions for medication where appropriate, saving patients the need to visit the hospital eye department.
As the Covid-19 protocols required in the practice were put in place, the world class eyecare already offered was supported by best practice in patient distanced consultations and customer service when dispensing.
Martin Smith Opticians is one of the first practices, not only in the UK but among the first in the world, to offer a Zeiss Clarus 500 ultra-widefield, true colour, super high-definition retinal camera which can image up to 90% of the retina, compared to standard cameras which see only 15%.
“I conduct all eye examinations,” explained Dr Smith, “and our advanced diagnostic equipment means I can remain distanced to conduct the most thorough and detailed of examinations.
Using a handheld ophthalmoscope is not safe or practical to be so close to the patient’s eye. Only a small area of the retina can be seen, whereas the Clarus 500 creates a four image digital map of the eye.”
During lockdown the precision of this equipment saved the sight of a patient. “A lady experiencing sight difficulties made an appointment. We were quickly able to diagnose a retinal tear – in a position which would have been out of normal camera range. She was sent to A&E and she underwent an operation that same day, a procedure which helped to save the sight in her eye.”
Patients, whether they book consultations directly or are referred through the NHS, must make an appointment to benefit from the team’s inspiring and unique approach to eyecare. Masks are required when entering the practice and are worn during the consultation. Screens are in place between staff and patients for dispensing and at reception with sanitiser readily available.
“Cleaning is maintained between consultations,” said practice manager Sue Edwards. “We have procedures from examinations to dispensing which result in a streamlined, effective and prompt service.”
The practice has also had the opportunity to launch a tailored Eyecare monthly subscription plan which will give many benefits from eye examinations to substantial discounts on eyewear and treatments. Offering the latest technology, and stunning facilities including a private dispensing room, Martin Smith Opticians have never been in a better position to help you with world class eyecare and outstanding patient service.
If you would like to book a comprehensive eye examination or consultation at Martin Smith Opticians call: 01522 521100
Chasing Triple Success
Martin Smith Opticians have their fingers-crossed for a ‘hat trick” in one of the industry’s hottest competitions.
The team at the Lincoln practice was on a high when the business was announced a finalist in three categories in the prestigious Association of Optometrists (AOP) National Awards.
- Optometrist of the Year 2019 – Dr Martin Smith
- Practice of the Year 2019
- Dispensing Optician of the Year 2019 – Sue Edwards
Now, staff are looking for further success – but it needs as many people as possible to vote for the practice in all three categories.
“It’s incredibly difficult to win these awards as they attract high quality practices countrywide, but we are thrilled to have got this far and it has simply sharpened our competitive streak,” said Sue. It would be great to win just one of the awards, but I’d be over the moon if we could clinch all three category accolades. I don’t think any practice across the country has ever won three awards at the same time, so that would be brilliant!”
People are being urged to support Dr Martin Smith and his team, by voting via the AOP website at:
https://www.mi-vote.com/aopawards19/
Alternatively, votes can be taken at the Saltergate practice, simply by signing the voting form.
“I do hope people will get behind us, and support us across the board in all three categories, but obviously votes in one, two or all three categories, will all count,” said Martin.
Votes have to be cast by 5pm on December 12th and the winner will be announced at a black-tie dinner in London on 13th January 2019.
For more information please contact:
Sue Edwards, Practice Manager, Martin Smith Opticians, 22 Saltergate, Lincoln LN2 1DH
Tel : 01522 521100 E: [email protected]
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Martin Smith Opticians
Martin Smith Opticians is a multi award-winning independent optometrist located in Lincoln city cent
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