Independent Doncaster opticians reopens for business in town centre

Edwards and Walker Opticians is located in Priory Walk in Doncaster Town centre.

Owned by Pretty Basra, an optician from Auckley who wants to encourage people to book in for their eye test now that they are reopening on July 1.

Pretty said: “I would urge people to book in for an eye exam as so many eye conditions are silent.

“I've seen so many patients over lockdown who have had raised blood pressure or underlying diabetes and only been spotted by me looking in their eyes.”

Throughout lockdown, Pretty has been seeing emergency appointments only but from next Wednesday the practice will be open for routine eye exams.

“We have been a part of the Minor Eye Condition Scheme during lockdown which means that we have been able to reduce the number of people going to the NHS or A and E for treatment,” she continued.

“Even though the number of people we have been able to treat has been minimal we have been able to prevent sight loss and we feel like we have made a difference.”

Pretty wants to assure anyone who is thinking about visiting the practice that strict social distancing measures have been put in place.

The staff will be wearing full PPE and there are multiple hand sanitizer dispensers around the practice.

Any glasses customers try on are disinfected and the waiting area will have social distancing guidance.

Despite the Prime Minister announcing a reduction in social distancing measures to one meter Pretty is not yet implementing this in her shop.

She said: “We follow advice from the NHS and we’re still waiting on their take on the new measures before we follow them.

“The advice seems to change on a daily basis for businesses and it must be frustrating for those who have invested in two-meter signage.

“Lots of these businesses have not taken an income in the last three months so the additional costs are not welcome.”

If you would like to enquire about an eye test visit their website here.

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