Our History

Welcome to Potters Bar Eyecare! I’m Vishal Thanki, proud owner of this esteemed practice with a legacy of over 40 years. Established in 1965 by Mr. Howard Peters and his brother, and guided by Julie Gazey from 1990, we’ve provided professional, comprehensive eye tests and a wide range of glasses frames and contact lenses, serving the local community with dedication.

A Visionary Transition: In 2019, the practice was transferred to Mr. Vishal Thanki upon Julie’s retirement. He leverages his extensive training and experience to lead our practice into the future. Inspired by his transformative experience with glasses as a strong myope, Vishal has curated a diverse selection ranging from sophisticated to quirky styles. Potters Bar Eyecare combines decades of optical expertise with a passion for unique eyewear. Vishal and his team regularly travel to international trade shows in Paris and Munich to handpick the most captivating eyewear pieces, ensuring frames that not only look exceptional but also fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

Commitment to Excellence: With nearly 25 years in optics, starting as a dispensing optician and specializing in contact lenses and optometry, I have a particular passion for fitting contact lenses and addressing conditions like dry eyes. In recent years, my focus has been on correcting childhood myopia, ensuring comprehensive care for young patients. Under Vishal’s leadership, we’ve invested in cutting-edge equipment to enhance diagnostic capabilities and treatment options, ensuring our practice evolves while maintaining our commitment to exceptional care. We blend innovation with tradition, staying true to our roots while embracing the latest in eyecare technology to provide personalized, top-tier service to every patient who walks through our doors.

Why Choosing Us

Personalized Eye Exams

At Potters Bar Eyecare, we prioritize your comfort and care with personalized eye exams tailored to your individual needs and concerns.

Unique Eyewear Selection

Discover a distinctive range of eyewear styles curated by Vishal Thanki and his team, who travel to international trade shows to handpick captivating pieces that blend fashion with functionality.

Expertise and Innovation

With decades of optical expertise and a commitment to staying at the forefront of eyecare technology, our team ensures you receive expert advice and the latest in diagnostic capabilities for comprehensive eye health management.

Our Team

Vishal Thanki

Bsc (Hons) McOptom
FBDO CL

Vishal is our resident optometrist, and specialises in contact lens fitting and dry eye treatment. He has also completed additional training in glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and acute eye diseases. Vishal believes it is important to take time with his patients to listen to their concerns and ensure they are well looked after. He is passionate about eyecare for children and works closely with local charities, including completing the London Marathon in aid of Sense charity for the blind.

Bhavik Acharya

Bsc (Hons) McOptom
MASv.P

Bhavik shares Vishal’s passion for eyecare for children and is a regional School Vision practitioner. His specialism is reading and behavioural difficulties and he has trained in muscle control, colorimetry and colour overlays. Bhavik is also the person to come to for complex, multi-focal, and therapeutic contact lens fittings.

Karen Cicale

Karen is your first point of contact here at Potters Bar Eye Care Centre. She joined us in 2003 and has made herself indispensable, running our front desk and in her role as a qualified optical assistant. Karen is also the queen of repairs, so she’s the person to see if your glasses are broken.

Nicole

Nicole is the practice’s qualified Dispensing Optician manager. She is a valuable member of our team who greets everyone with her warm and welcoming smile. Her passion for providing exceptional service and ensuring that every client journey is a memorable one. She is very passionate about paediatric dispensing and is very keen on myopia control. Outside of work, Nicole is a very enthusiastic Tottenham Spurs supporter, so after we’ve sorted out your spectacles, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation about football.

What our clients say about us

Wow! What great service. The nose rests on my glasses had both come off and I wanted to know what it would take to repair. A wave of her magical opticians wand and in less than 10 mins they were as good as new. Thank you so much!

Fantastic service. Had two pairs of glasses that I had broken by stepping on, Quickly assessed and both pairs repaired very quickly and returned to me with a smile. Great friendly service. Won't hesitate to use again.

Very helpful receptionist who found a convenient appointment time for me. The optician was very professional and gave me great advice.

Had a very good experience at potters bar eye care with a female member of staff who was able to resolve my issue almost immediately in which the lenses was reattached to the glasses.

Great service here by Nicole. I came in with a slight issue with my spectacle lens which Nicole said, initially, she might need to send away for fixing. However she tried to fix the issue herself which she duely did! Great service with care and a smile. Recommended. Will come back here again.