Optician Awards celebrations

Kevin Gutsell accepts Scott O’Neill’s award from Newmedica’s Jagdeep Singh

ABDO president, Kevin Gutsell, was on hand at the 2025 Optician Awards last weekend to collect the Dispensing Optician of the Year award on behalf of this year’s winner – ABDO member, Scott O’Neill.

Scott O’Neill launched his practice, Doctor Oculus, in September 2022. Doctor Oculus is an independent optician in Digbeth, Birmingham’s creative quarter. Since opening, the practice has become one of the highest reviewed opticians in Birmingham. Alongside eye exams and everyday dispensing, Doctor Oculus also designs and produces handmade frames and carries out specialist frame repairs for customers and other opticians, all from its on-site workshop.

Scott told DO Online: “I was really pleased to receive the award. I started Doctor Oculus to focus on improving my skills outside the mainstream optical model, with an emphasis on slow dispensing, tailored eyewear and long-term aftercare. By running a lean business, I’m able to offer a high-end service at a mid-range price, making better lenses and frames more accessible. It’s been great to build a community of people who value that approach, and it’s nice to see it recognised.”

The award was sponsored by Newmedica, and was presented to Kevin by Jagdeep Singh from the company.

Kevin told DO Online afterwards: “It was a pleasure and an honour to receive the Dispensing Optician of the Year award on behalf of Scott. I would like to pass on my congratulations to Scott, who came out on top of an illustrious group of finalists – each of whom serve their communities and beyond to ensure the highest level of eyecare and eyewear.”

The other DO of the Year finalists were: Amar Davé, Tompkins, Knight and Son Optometrists; Beth Ralph, Elliott & Heath Opticians and Audiologists; Cath Coles, Davies and Jones Opticians; Dan Scott, the Eyewear Stylist; and Ella McCormack, Bainbridge Bespoke Opticians.

Also during the evening, ABDO CEO, Alistair Bridge, presented the Frame of the Year Award to Continental Eyewear – part of the Millmead Optical Group.

The company received the award for its Star-Fit children’s eyewear collection, and it was accepted by David Straithie, Millmead’s director of business development.

Launched in 2023, Star Fit was developed as a data-led solution designed specifically around children’s facial anatomy, visual behaviour and ‘true’ dispensing requirements – utilising the results of ABDO-funded research carried out by the Association’s research director, Dr Alicia Thompson.

The Continental Eyewear team celebrate their win

James Conway, CEO of the Millmead Optical Group, said: “We created Star Fit to solve a very practical issue that opticians deal with every day when fitting children’s frames. To see the collection recognised by the Optician Awards judges for its adaptability, fit and impact in practice is extremely rewarding and a strong endorsement of the thinking behind the collection. This award reflects the collaboration behind Star Fit, from clinical expertise to practitioner feedback and reinforces our commitment to developing eyewear that genuinely supports opticians and improves outcomes for young patients.”

Alistair commented: “I was delighted to present the Frame of the Year award to Continental Eyewear for its StarFit children’s frame. It was particularly pleasing to see recognition given to a frame collection inspired by the ABDO-funded research carried out by our research director, Dr Alicia Thompson, which highlighted the particular facial characteristics of children and enabled a number of suppliers to develop better-fitting children’s frames.”

See the full list of 2025 Optician Awards winners.