Clare has over 20 years of experience as an Optometrist. And over 30 in optics. She took over the family practice in 2019 when her father Stephen Nicholson retired.
Clare has additional accreditations in post-cataract assessments, MECS (emergency eye care) and glaucoma.
Favourite thing about her job: Clare loves the ability to really spend time with patients and go above and beyond a standard eye test. Clare loves it when people return after their first cataract operation and see the difference it makes.
Favourite frames range: She loves Booth and Bruce- colourful and funky! For children she loves the Planet Pop range. A colourful and sustainable range of children frames. Teaching children to care for the environment at a young age.
In her own time: When not working Clare will be found spending time with her husband and two young sons.
Maria has over 11 years’ experience as an Optometrist and has a passion for children's eye health and encourages all children to routinely have annual eye examinations from a very young age. As well as being a fully qualified Optometrist, Maria has a Diploma in school vision, and additional accreditations in MECS (emergency eyecare) and post-cataract assessments. Maria is currently studying for a Higher Certificate in Paediatrics with Cardiff University.
Favourite thing to do at work: Maria also enjoys fitting all types of contact lenses to adults and children.
Favourite frame range: Wolf
In her own time: Outside of work Maria enjoys Pilates and loves spending time with her son and husband.
Andrea has 9 years’ experience in optics and is our senior optical assistant. She is gold level trained and joined the practice in 2021.
Favourite thing about her job: At work Andrea particularly enjoys using the OCT machine and showing patients their scan images. Andrea loves to help and mentor fellow colleagues, there’s always lots to learn in optics!
Favourite frame range: Andrea particularly likes the bold and colourful range of Booth & Bruce, the classic and stylish sunglasses from Rayban and the vibrant Cocoa Mint range. Sustainability is an important focus for the future, and Andrea is keen to drive the practice towards eco-conscious brands and products.
In her own time: Andrea enjoys fibre crafts such as macrame, weaving and cross stitch. She loves to explore the Jurassic coast for fossils - it’s one of her favourite places to be.
Alex Andrews joined the team in 2023. Alex has a degree in Biology and a Masters in audiology. Alex previously worked at the Royal Surrey County Hospital before moving to the private sector.
Favourite thing about his job: Alex particularly enjoys seeing people return for their first fitting, hearing all about the difference hearing aids have made to their lives.
In his spare time: In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and traveling.
Holly is the latest member of the team and joined us in 2023 as an optical apprentice.
Favourite thing about her job: Holly enjoys helping select new frames for patients, assisting and talking to our lovely customers, and learning about everything spectacles! Holly can’t wait to learn more about the dispensing part of the job and how to use our fields and OCT machines.
Favourite frame range: Cocoa Mint
In her own time: Holly spends her free time with friends and family, and her favourite things to do with them include going out for meals, going to the cinema, beach and forest walks, and going shopping!
Jasmin has worked in optics for over 8 years. The last four as a qualified Dispensing Optician. Jasmin splits her time between working in practice and lecturing at a dispensing college.
Favourite thing about her job: Jasmin loves helping patients find their perfect pair of spectacles.
Favourite frame range: Booth and Bruce
In her own time: Jasmin is into her crafts; crochet, cross stitch and origami.
Bonnie started as an Optical Apprentice over 10 years ago, and has worked her way up to Senior Optical Assistant.
Favourite thing about her job: Bonnie enjoys personalised frame selection and children’s eye care.
Favourite frame range: Ray ban
In her spare time: She enjoys walking her cockapoo on the beach, eating out, and spending time with her son and family.
At Nicholson Eyecare we offer the best clinical service through our Enhanced Eye Examinations. We encourage everyone to have an Enhanced Eye Examination when they book with us. The Enhanced Examination gives us more information about the health of your eye, and can make it possible to detect eye conditions such as glaucoma and macular degeneration at an early stage. It is particularly valuable if you have a family history of eye disease or general health conditions like diabetes.
| Enhanced Eye Exam | Basic NHS/Private eye exam | |
|---|---|---|
| Thorough history and symptoms |  |
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| Vision examination and prescription calculation | |
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| Central and peripheral vision assessment | |
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| Internal and external eye examination | |
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| Standard retinal photography | |
As Required |
| Icare pressure measurement (super gentle pressure measurement, ‘no puff’) | |
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| Pulsair eye pressure (puff in eye) | |
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| OCT scanning (internal and external as required) | |
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| Extra time (10-15 mins) for in depth explanation of the images and your eye examination results. (Images can be e mailed when required) | |
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