The Practice

Kevin Lewis BSc(Hons), FCOptom, DCLP
Senior Optometrist & Owner

Born in Stepney, East London on a date too far to remember back, he gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Ophthalmic Optics at the City University, London in 1977 and became a Fellow of the British Optical Association and Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers in 1978.  He gained an Advanced Diploma in Contact Lens Practice in 1980. He became a Foundation Fellow of the College of Optometrists in 1980.

Mr. Lewis has been working as a registered optometrist with the General Optical Council in Thurrock since qualification in 1979. He was in partnership with the original owner, Mr. Euin Steele for three years before the latter retired.  He has held many professional posts having been visiting lecturer at The City University, London; Examiner for The College of Optometrist (professional body for optometrists in UK) and Senior Contact Lens Practitioner at the Institute of Optometry in London.

He had the honour of serving as President of The College of Optometrists from 2006 to 2008 and as a Council Member of the College for 14 years. He was also a Council Member for the General Optical Council (statutory registration body for optometrists & dispensing opticians in the UK) from 2003 to 2013.

He lives in Langdon Hills with his wife Julie, who also works in the Practice and enjoys Golf and watching all sports.

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Shameel Solanki BSc(Hons), MCOptom
Optometrist

Born in Pakistan on a date a bit nearer to the present day than the owner, his family moved to England when he was 3 years of age. He gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Optometry in 2007 and qualified as a Member of the College of Optometrists in 2008.  He is a registered optometrist with the General Optical Council.

Mr. Solanki has experience in a wide range of optometry since his qualification and joined the Practice in 2012.

He speaks Urdu and lives with his young family in Barking, East London. He enjoys Cricket and family life.

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Claire Saunders FBDO
Dispensing Optician

Miss Saunders advises us that you should never ask a lady her age.  Suffice it to say that she grew up in the East Tilbury area and gained her Fellowship of the British Dispensing Organisation in 2011.  Miss Saunders has worked in optical practice’s for many years as an optical advisor before gaining her registration as a dispensing optician.

Miss Saunders joined the Practice in 2011. She enjoys keeping fit and nights out.

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Helen Ward
Practice Secretary

Helen joined the Practice in 2000 and has been ‘part of the furniture’ ever since. She undertakes much of the paper work within the Practice as well as assisting the optometrists in taking visual field tests and eye imaging.  Her duties also include helping with spectacle frame choice and dispensing under the optometrists & dispensing optician guidance.

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Clarissa Ellis
Dispensing and Optical Assistant  

Clarissa has been working in optics since 2005. She originally worked for us in 2009 and has come back to work part time after her maternity break.  Her work involves assisting the optometrists in eye imaging with the Optomap and undertaking visual fields examinations as well as helping with frame and spectacle lens dispensing.

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Lisa Boyle
Optical Assistant

Lisa is our ‘Strictly Dancing Expert’. She joined the practice in 2010 and her duties include helping with spectacle frame choice, visual field testing and eye imaging.

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Pauline Tolson
Receptionist

Pauline will probably be the happy smiling face greeting you as you enter the Practice. Joining the Practice in 2013 we have found out that her laugh is infectious and in her other life, is a Thurrock Borough Councillor.

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Julie Lewis
Optical Assistant

Julie has had to put up being married to the Practice owner since 1982.  Her duties include  visual field testing and eye imaging and can be found helping out patients in the dispensing room choosing spectacle frames.