So following the success of my ear test for musicians earlier this year I’ve now had an eye test for musicians!
I had a great appointment today and have a prescription specifically tailored for my work as a pianist and teacher.
So what made this special? Well, my previous optician (I won’t name names but it’s the one everyone told me I should’ve gone to) never invited me to play the piano during an eye test just to make sure everything was as it should be! 5 stars… highly recommend!!!
Simon Larner - Pianist and teacher - Lancashire
"I have had cataract operations on both eyes in 2014 and since then, my eyes can’t change focus any more. Since then, I’ve had to work with four different pairs of glasses – one for reading closely, one for music reading, one for mid-range seeing (normal distances within the house) and one for outdoors and driving. Bit of a hassle carrying all that stuff around; and when playing music, I could only focus on the sheet music; the conductor was a dim figure somewhere in the distance. Just got mine, [special musician’s glasses] and I am amazed. I can sit at my computer and write this, seeing a clear image of the screen, and……I have a sharp image of the house at the end of the street. They are everything you promised and lots more.”
Dr Elmar Eggerer Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone & Flugelhorn - Russische Blasorchester in Österreich – Big Band Markus Fluhr – Altenberg-Greifenstein, Austria
“Hi Sheryl,
I have just come back from church and played the organ using my new glasses.
You have worked your magic. My new glasses have given me so much hope, It is much better than I expected. You can't completely correct vision which is not functional, but what an improvement. It took me about 10 mins to adapt, but I am overjoyed with what you have achieved. I can cope with 3 page width and looking at the pedals they are better than I've ever had. I can look to the stops and transition easily to the music which I've had difficulty with in the past.
All in all, I am far more confident about moving forward...something I thought would never happen, but you and the team have given me a new lease of life. Now I need a practise organ at home.
Thank you to you and all the team from the bottom of my heart.
All the very best”
Maria O'Keith - Organist - Somerset
“Probably the most thorough, knowledgeable, and results-driven optician I've met! Initially, I went to Performing Arts Vision Care for musician glasses. I wanted to see better on stage and communicate with my duo colleagues without looking at a foggy outline or switching glasses.
Unfortunately, a retinal tear that developed immediately after my first appointment hampered everything, but the optician Sheryl Doe was determined to make me the best pair of glasses as close to the original brief as possible. And she did! I am thrilled to own two great specs, one varifocal and my “magic” pair for piano. They also used their saccadic eye scanner and visual gaze analyser to see exactly what I struggled with when reading scores.
The result is amazing! My eyes are more relaxed, I don't get headaches from reading music or working on the computer, and my varifocals are so comfortable it's like I'm not wearing glasses! Performing Arts Vision Care thanks!
Yanna Zissiadou - Pianist - Thessaloniki
“After a long period of struggling, I can at last read music clearly thanks to the skill and thoroughness of Elizabeth, Sheryl, and Abigayle. I am especially grateful to them for restoring my vision and providing my new music glasses in time for three concerts I have just played. I am a very happy client."
Susan Marshall - Violinist - Huddersfield
“To be able to see my music in both seated and standing positions, not to mention seeing the conductor and to be able to interact with the audience is priceless. I had begun to think that all of the above would never be an option, but Sheryl worked so hard to help overcome my particular problems, I cannot thank you enough.”
Helen Williams - Flugelhorn Cory Band - South Wales
Muriel Johnstone
Pianist and Composer Perthshire
“Sheryl I will write again in due course but I just want you to know how THRILLED I am with all of my new glasses.
My eyes feel very comfortable in the varifocals and later today I hope to have a long session at the piano to really test my (stunning) music glasses!
Thank you again, Miss Genius! x"
Graham Palmer
Trombonist
Marlborough Wiltshire
"Simply put without "The Musician's Optician" I would have had to stop playing. Two pairs of music glasses from a well known high street optician did not help. I was left feeling as if the end of my playing had arrived, I contacted you .
The difference was enormous! Nothing was too much trouble and they went that extra mile for me. Thank you Sheryl and all your staff for being so friendly, supportive and caring to both myself and my wife”
Derek Diamond Dac
Acoustic Roots
Blues Performer
“I contacted you with a long complex list of requirements in my varifocals. The very thorough and detailed complete eye health check was explained, checked and double checked.
Consultation & customised specification was done with an extreme amount of skill and expertise. Everything was covered in minute detail in a relaxed and professional manner.
Sheryl is an absolute genius and gave me perfection. I just want to say an enormous THANK YOU.
If you are thinking of visiting them, do not hesitate, you will not regret it.“
Michele Hickie
Bassoon – Ilkley
“My musician’s glasses have been fantastic and I can’t believe it's almost two years since I got them, when I looked back at the old correspondences!
I’m still managing really well with the glasses and what a difference they have made!”
Jeanne Henson
Baritone Player Burbage Band
“Until I met Sheryl Doe, I had no idea that it was possible to cover all the different optical variants required as a musician who wore glasses. Now that I have glasses for all situations and distances it is a real treat to be able to see everything I need to, even the face of the conductor when he glares at me! “
Markus Van Horn Professional Double Bassist - London
“The new lenses have really helped make the music clearer on the page and are of immense benefit when the lighting is poor. I am very pleased with them.“
Shaun Hooke
Principal Trumpet
Dublin RTE Orchestra
“Uncertainty with your vision is just as serious as a mechanical failure with your instrument. That moment of indecision increases performance pressure, leads to mistakes and stops you giving your best. All sorted now,. Crystal clear vision even in a gloomy opera pit!"
Michael Downes Conductor
St Andrews University
“The glasses they have prescribed for me not only provide clear vision in every field i need, but they are comfortable and light.
They allow me to communicate directly with the musicians without obstacle”
Simon Turner
Cellist
The Halle Orchestra
Wonderful! The whole team looked after me incredibly well and took all the time necessary to really understand my needs as an orchestral musician. But from what I saw, they treat all their customers with the same level of warmth and care.
Richard Bottom - Violin
Huddersfield Philharmonic
Outstanding service from start to finish. After struggling for years to see music clearly I can now see everything!
This company will go to the end of the world and back to make sure you are happy.
Neil Parkin
Baritone Horn
County Durham
“I couldn’t be happier with my new music glasses. It's nice to switch between music and conductor without focus changes. My sight-reading has improved since semi-quavers and notations are clear again.
“I recommend "The Musician's Optician" to any musician with vision issues”.
Bart Naughton – Clarinet Orchestra of the Square Chapel
“I tried my glasses on Tuesday at orchestra for the first time and they are brilliant.
It was such a pleasure being able to see everything that I could actually concentrate on the music!”
Melanie Taylor
Saxophonist
Derbyshire
“I am delighted with my new glasses. For the first time I can stand on stage reading my music from different distances, walk around, dance, see my fellow band members and the audience with perfect clear vision.
No more looking over the top of my glasses frames or wearing them halfway down my nose! I can’t thank the team enough.
They totally understood my needs and provide an outstanding service. The choice of frames was vast and the advice given was first class. Thank You! “
Trevor Burley
Cellist
Oxford
“I have found that the graduation from one part of the lens to another really good, and in fact, I think that the upper area for my long distance is even clearer than my usual single lens glasses. This means that unfortunately, I can see conductors’ quite well! When sharing a desk, I’m finding them good for looking at both sides of a score, and I really like the fact that I can glance from one page to another without feeling too much like a robot! As for being able to see what the desk in front are writing in their parts, it rather depends on how heavily they write with a pencil, but I am coping and I’m pretty sure it’s better than before. It always feels slightly strange when I put them on, but I think my brain seems to adapt quite well. Also, I seem to be able to walk onto the stage wearing them without a problem. So, all in all Sheryl I’m very happy with the result. Thank you.”
Agnes Lefebvere Music teacher and Cornemuse player
Paris
“The glasses are so much better than anything I’ve ever used before, thank you very much.
I think I still have to move a little, but not as much as in previous pairs. I see the music of my students and my own desk much better, and they are definitely better than my old glasses.
Your customer service is second to none and I will definitely be using your business again. I already recommended you to several friends. Thank you for your help.”
Fiona Mayo
Cellist & Cello teacher
Harrogate
“I have been wearing my new spectacles since I got them. I have worn them for:
• Cutting tiny wedges to fit mortices in the rehairing of cello bows
• Teaching, from a single music stand, as well as sideways on from a stand placed in front of the pupil. • Reading piano music to accompany pupils.
• Attending a String Quartet concert at Leeds College of Music and being able to see clearly.
The biggest surprise is that I no longer have to take the specs off for close work. It’s all looking fantastic. Thanks again, for helping me and the service has been exceptional.”
Ruth Haas Eckersley
Cornet Player
Switzerland
“Having collected and used both pairs of new spectacles I was surprised how little time it took me to get used to them.
I collected the specs and played a concert the next day. As I was sight-reading it was even more important that I could read the music quickly and without it taking too much time for me to focus. The only problem I had that day was the sunlight as the concert was outside and I have since ordered some prescription sunglasses too.
I feel more relaxed playing now in general as the complication of struggling to see the music clearly has been resolved. The only issue is that I cannot blame my sight anymore for the wrong notes I play……..”
Gary Collins
Guitarist and Music Teacher
“I just felt I had to email you all to let you know that the new contact lenses and both pairs of glasses supplied by you are amazing and they have changed my life.
My back and neck pain has reduced significantly and my quality of life has improved immensely. Now I can drive, teach and read music. I can see around the classroom with ease and my confidence and self-esteem have improved greatly.
I now can’t imagine living my life without my contact lenses and glasses. Thank You so much.”
Vivien Flynn Violinist
York
"I played quartets this morning and I could see the music! It was wonderful after two years of imperfect vision. I could even read the pencil markings and was able to sit at a comfortable distance from the stand. Thank you for all your help.”
Mark Peacock
Conductor
“I’m absolutely delighted with the glasses prescribed for me. They fully understood my requirements and took great care and concern that my needs were met. As a conductor, having a clear view of both the music and ensemble, without any lack of clarity was impossible before, but now both key elements have been addressed. I cannot praise the service and help I received from Sheryl and her team. They are knowledgeable, approachable and understanding. A first-class company who I recommend to any musician. Thank you so much!”
Anne Gray
Persac France
“I don’t usually leave a review, however, there is always a time to make an exception. From the minute you enter the practice you are made welcome. Nothing is ever an effort. Should a little problem arise, it is dealt with efficiently and always with a smile.
Is it worth travelling from France to have my eyes looked after in Meltham? Absolutely. The first round is on me the next I am over.”
Bob Hallett
Tuba Player
Grimsby
“I think we all start to struggle with our eyesight as we mature but as a musician, we face challenges that optometrists seem unable to understand let alone solve and that’s why I took a trip down to The Musicians' Optician.
.The comprehensive eye test was unusual as I took my tuba and spent a long time in the playing position discussing, adjusting, checking and rechecking so that I could focus fully on an entire sheet of music and observe the Musical Director without the lag of refocusing which was one of my main issues.
In short, I’m extremely happy with my new glasses and I can highly recommend that any musician struggling with eyesight issues make a trip to see them. “
Glyn Williams
principal euphonium Cory Band
South Wales
“My new lenses are absolutely perfect. I have been wearing glasses since I was 9 years old and cannot be without them. These spectacles basically correct everything for me and made me realise how much I had been struggling before.
Being able to see my music and function as a performing musician is crucial to my daily life. I now know that I need to be comfortable reading music to play, reading a score to conduct… as well as being able to see a computer, watch the tv and not least, be able to see to drive safely!
The staff at the musicians optician understand this and offer solutions”
Michael Gray
BBb Bass
Westoe Brass Band
“Went to The Musicians' Optician for musicians’ glasses first class service from start to finish very friendly and knowledgeable company.
It’s great to have glasses that transform the way I read music again.
Thank you so much would highly recommend this company to anyone requiring new eye tests and glasses”
Pamela Hossick
BBC TV Producer
“I found experienced musicians and top class opticians, with heartwarming spirit and enthusiasm, who found my situation an interesting new challenge.
I’ve learned so much from Sheryl and I am in awe of her knowledge, instinct, honesty, attention to detail and determination.”
Sarah-Louise Craven
Singer
“I’ve struggled with wearing glasses since I got my first pair 17 years ago, I hated wearing them and found any excuse not to bother with them. It ultimately got to a point that wearing contact lenses wasn’t really much of an option anymore after they made my eyes feel sore, dry and I found I couldn’t really see as well out of them.
Since having my new glasses, my confidence in wearing them has grown- they go with everything, they look great, and I get a lot of compliments from people. It’s great actually being able to see my band set list properly, I can see the audience and everything is so much clearer, I love them!”
Tommy Tynan Principal Eb Tuba player, Cory Band
“I honestly can’t stress this enough, my new glasses have made a world of difference. Within no time my eyes felt a lot more relaxed and the music was a lot clearer than I remember it being for years.
This makes a huge impact with the amount of performing and arranging I do. Even more so with the Cory Band, where we play so much new music for publishers, new composers and CDs.
I can’t get away with already being familiar with the music so my sight-reading needs to be on point. This means my vision is really important in these times.”
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