Why choose us

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We're a family run independent optical outlet with many years of experience

As we only dispense glasses and have our own lab on-site, we don't have the overheads or costs of your standard opticians. This means we can pass the savings on to you. We can suit every budget from affordable to branded frames and lenses starting from just £25. We offer the same frames/lenses as any other high street opticians and all of our products are covered by the manufacturer's guarantee.

What we do

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FRAME ADVICE

Taking into account the intended purpose, size and overall appearance, we will help you find the perfect frame.

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PROFESSIONAL LENS DISCUSSION

We are all individual and would like to use our glasses for different things and as an independent dispenser we can use a wide variety of lens manufacturers.

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FRAME FIT

Measuring the frames suitability for your face and prescription, as well as in depth measurements of pupillary distance, heights and back vertex distance to ensure your glasses will work perfectly for your needs.

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SURFACING AND GLAZING/REGLAZING

Using the most advanced Laboratory machines, we have an in-house technician to glaze lenses into new or your old frames.

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CUSTOMER SERVICE

If the customer experiences any problems with the frame or lenses we will do all we can to resolve the issue.

What we need

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Remember before we can produce your new glasses, we will need a copy of your prescription, which needs to be in date and valid. Your Optician must provide you with a clear copy of your prescription without pressure to purchase. All customers must be over 16.

We accept NHS Vouchers. 

Our Journey

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Solent Spectacles (originally Hythe Optical) was founded by Mr Kerry Neilson over 35 years ago in Hythe servicing local opticians glazing needs.
5 years later with the company growing it was relocated larger premises in the Solent Business centre where he was joined by his wife Vivienne, and at weekends by his daughters Laura and Claire. With the optical market changing a small retail department was started and Laura became full time.

Our current fully Qualified Technician Luke Parmenter Sm (tech) joined the firm and has now been with us over 15 years.
In 2010 with expansion in the retail side, Laura joined her father full time and the Solent Spectacles partnership was born. Larger retail premises were needed so in 2012 the business was relocated its current position in Millbrook Road West.

The principal of Affordable Quality has worked well and the company is constantly growing.
In recent years the Solent family has expanded and now includes Carol Miller (Dispensing Manager).