Bob Hallet, a retired military bandsman and accomplished Eb Bass player, faced a challenge that many musicians encounter as they continue their passion into later life. The music that once flowed effortlessly from his stand was becoming blurred, and the conductor's cues were lost in a haze of unfocused vision. For Bob, whose bifocals no longer met the demands of his art, this was more than an inconvenience; it was a barrier to doing what he loved most.

Determined not to let this obstacle silence his music, Bob reached out to “the musicians' optician” for help. In early June, he embarked on a journey to reclaim his vision and with it, his joy in playing. During a performing arts vision appraisal tailored specifically for musicians like him, Bob shared how difficult it had become to see his music clearly during rehearsals and performances. Adjusting the distance of the music stand offered some clarity but was impractical while playing such a large instrument as the tuba.

The examination included a series of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scans—a cutting-edge technique that allowed us to peer beneath the surface of Bob’s retinas. These scans revealed intricate details invisible in standard retinal photographs and enabled us to assess each layer's health and thickness accurately.

Next came a comprehensive visual field analysis—mapping both central and peripheral vision—to identify any blind spots or areas where vision reduced subtly. This thorough assessment was complemented by saccadic movement tracking and visual gaze analysis using advanced virtual reality technology.

Armed with these insights into Bob's unique visual needs, we crafted an optimal prescription designed specifically for him—a solution that would allow him not only to read his sheet music with ease but also connect visually with his conductor once more. Dispensing optician Sheryl Doe then worked her magic by creating lenses tailored precisely for Bob’s requirements—ensuring even when 75% of his right eye's field is obscured by the tuba—his dominant eye could still perform at its best.

It’s all in the IT

At times, the smallest adjustments can lead to the most profound transformations. For Bob, seeing the music clearly was a challenge due to his failing vision. But with a bit of innovation and expertise, we helped him reclaim his passion.

The larger instruments in an ensemble often pose unique challenges for musicians, especially when it comes to maintaining a clear view of the conductor and fellow players. This is where Sheryl's expertise came into play. By dispensing Bob with unique freeform digital multifocal lenses, she crafted a solution that was as precise as it was personalised. These lenses were designed not just from her vast experience but also through detailed saccadic eye track and visual gaze analysis—an ideal approach for musicians whose instruments may obscure their sight lines.

Bob’s choice of eyewear reflected both function and style. He selected an EVATIK frame in Charcoal—a minimalist yet masculine design that harmonised perfectly with his understated elegance. The supra frame he chose maximised his field of view, allowing him to enjoy clarity right up to the edge of each lens.

When Bob returned to collect his new glasses, he brought along his instrument for a real-world test. We set up a music stand with some well-worn sheet music—faded pages marked by time and practice—to see how well these lenses performed under typical conditions faced by musicians everywhere. As he played through the notes, each key signature, accidental, and dynamic leapt into focus effortlessly—even those old scribbled notations stood out clearly.

This journey wasn’t just about improving vision; it was about reigniting Bob's connection to music—a reminder that sometimes it's all in the lenses that help us see our dreams more vividly than ever before.

The Verdict

A few weeks later, we contacted Bob and asked him how he was getting along with his new glasses. Bob’s response was; “I think we all start to struggle with our eyesight as we mature, but as musicians we face challenges that optometrists seem unable to understand let alone solve, and that's why I took a trip down to Meltham and to see “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 music 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.”

Bob’s story is one of resilience and adaptation—a testament to how innovation in eye care can reignite passions thought lost. With renewed clarity comes renewed vigour; through determination and expert support, Bob can now continue sharing his musical gift with those around him without missing a beat.

Why do musicians visit Performing Arts Vision Care? 
As an independent family-run firm, we are acquiring international recognition. Both for professional excellence and innovative approaches to addressing client demands.
We are now renowned internationally as 'Musician's Opticians,' and we are gaining clientele from all across Europe and beyond. Our pioneering work with performers, players, and conductors has resulted in the Performing Arts Vision Care team becoming the first and only opticians to be registered with the British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM).

We treat each client as an individual, because they are. It is true that no two musicians are the same; why should their eyesight correction be? We adore designing one-of-a-kind lenses to match the specific requirements of each performer. As musicians ourselves, we can ask the right questions and interpret the answers accordingly.

If you are a musician and you’re struggling with your vision and making music is no longer the enjoyable experience it once was, give us a call on 01484 907090 or call 0333 33 55 745 for a home visit.