Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Optometrists in Hitchin
Established in 1975, Shephard & Akay have provided expert optometric care to Hitchin and surrounding Hertfordshire areas for nearly five decades. Our practice combines advanced diagnostic technologies, including Nidek OCT scanning, with personalized patient care to ensure optimal eye health outcomes. Led by experienced optometrists Ali Akay and Elanor Turnbull, we offer comprehensive eye examinations, specialist contact lens fittings, and premium eyewear solutions. Our commitment to clinical excellence has earned us partnerships with Moorfields and Addenbrookes Hospitals for pre- and post-operative cataract assessments.We maintain membership in the British Contact Lens Association, demonstrating our dedication to professional standards. Our team takes pride in delivering thorough, unhurried consultations that address individual vision needs, supported by state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. We serve patients of all ages, including complex cases requiring specialist lenses for keratoconus or myopia control. With generations of family patients entrusting their eye health to our practice, we continue upholding our founding principles of technical expertise and compassionate care.
Services
OCT Scan
Eye Examination
Contact Lenses
Eyewear
Myopia Control
Lenses Dispensing
Sunglasses
Sports Eyewear
Hearing Care
Details
- Year established: 1975
Highlights and features
- Established 1975 with continuous family-led expertise
- Access to hospital-grade Nidek OCT scanning technology
- Specialist contact lens fitting for complex requirements
- NHS partnerships for advanced ophthalmic care
- BCLA membership demonstrating professional excellence
Associations and certifications
- Moorfields Eye Hospital
- Addenbrookes Hospital
- British Contact Lens Association (BCLA)
What people say
Highly professional staff
Thorough examinations
Expert contact lens fitting
Personalized care
Modern equipment
Services
OCT Scan
Our Nidek OCT scanner provides advanced 3D retinal imaging for early detection of eye conditions. This non-invasive test identifies glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other pathologies up to five years earlier than conventional methods. The 12-megapixel imaging system creates detailed records for monitoring eye health changes over time.
Contact Lenses
We offer specialist contact lens fittings for all requirements, including multifocal, toric, and orthokeratology lenses. Our BCLA-qualified optometrists provide advanced solutions for complex cases like keratoconus. We stock leading brands and offer trial lenses to ensure optimal comfort and vision correction for both adults and children.
Eye Examination
Our comprehensive eye exams incorporate preliminary pressure checks and peripheral vision tests, followed by detailed ophthalmic assessments. Utilising state-of-the-art technology, we detect vision problems and eye diseases while considering family history and general health to provide personalized eye care recommendations for all ages.
Myopia Control
We provide evidence-based myopia management using EyeDream and multifocal soft lenses to slow progression in children by around 50%. This specialist service combines advanced contact lens technology with regular monitoring to reduce long-term risks of high myopia through personalized treatment plans developed by our experienced optometrists.
Eyewear
Our optical dispensary offers designer frames from leading brands including Ray Ban, Prada, and Tiffany & Co. We combine Zeiss, Hoya, and Essilor lenses with expert fitting to ensure optimal vision correction. Our qualified dispensers provide personalized frame selection and lens recommendations for prescription glasses, sunglasses, and sports eyewear.
People
Ali Akay
Optometrist
Ali Akay, a qualified optometrist with an Advanced Contact Lens Diploma, has worked at Hitchin since 1982. He specializes in complex contact lens fittings at Addenbrookes Hospital and holds BCLA membership. Active in community projects, he brings extensive hospital experience to our practice.
Elanor Turnbull
Optometrist
Elanor Turnbull co-leads our practice with over 30 years' experience in optometry. A specialist contact lens practitioner, she combines expertise in advanced vision correction with commitment to personalized patient care. Her practice philosophy focuses on thorough, unhurried consultations for optimal eye health outcomes.
Questions
What is an OCT scan?
OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) is a 3D retinal scan that detects eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration earlier than traditional methods.
Do you provide children's eye tests?
Yes, we offer comprehensive children's eye examinations with specialist equipment and child-friendly consultation approaches for all ages, including newborns.
Are you accessible for wheelchair users?
Our practice has ground floor consulting rooms and wheelchair access, with staff available to assist mobility-restricted patients during appointments.
Do you offer NHS eye examinations?
Yes, we provide NHS-compliant eye tests with additional OCT scanning available for enhanced diagnostic capabilities at a modest extra cost.
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