Winners revealed

Newly-qualifed Optometrist of the Year – Dilesh Makwana

“It’s an amazing feeling to win this award. It’s recognition, not just for me, but for those I work with and my family – everything that I have put in has finally paid off.”

Optometrist of the Year – Prabhjit Boparai

“I am shocked and elated – I did not think that I was going to achieve this. Thank you to everyone who voted, it’s been really heart rendering.”

Dispensing Optician of the Year – Sophie Johnson

“It feels amazing, I’m over the moon – thank you so much to everyone who voted for me, it means a lot.”

Contact Lens Practitioner of the Year – Suresh Munyal

“Since I was a pre-registration optometrist my passion has always been contact lenses. I’ve always enjoyed contact lenses and for me it’s not like going to work. It’s just a pleasure and to be recognised for doing my job is wonderful.”

Optical Assistant of the Year – Lisa Skelton

“To win this award means everything. I started eight years ago with no optical knowledge, so to be here with this award is amazing.”

Student of the Year – Niraj Shah

“To be recognised is amazing, I have no words. It shows that all the hardwork to get to where I am has been recognised, so I am beyond anything right now, it’s amazing.”

Marketing Initiative of the Year – Davies & Jones Optometrists, Rugby is a contact lens sport

“I’m shocked and stunned, especially considering the quality of the other shortlisted nominees. It’s just fantastic, absolutely great.”

Practice of the Year – Taank Optometrists

“It’s indescribable and such an amazing honour to win, we are over the moon.

“We strive to do our best and we have had to work hard to differentiate ourselves, and hopefully that has paid off.”

Young Practice of the Year – Lunettes Opticians

“The whole practice team has worked really hard and it’s nice to have that recognition and the hard work they have put in has been rewards.”

Charity of the Year – See Belfast

“We are a young charity and have had so much support from people in the profession, from volunteers and from people in the homeless community and it’s great that it recognises them too.”

Product of the Year – Dailies Total1 Multifocal from Alcon

“We were privileged to be shortlisted, but to come up and win the prize, it makes all of the hardwork worthwhile. We have always felt that we have a product that delivers, and this award demonstrates that it’s not just delivering for us, it’s delivering for practices and patients as well.”

Lifetime Achievement Award – Bob Chappell

“It’s always nice when someone says thank you, especially when it comes from within your profession. When I look back at all of the things that we, the people I have worked with, have achieved, the changes we have made and the ways that we have managed to move the profession forward, it really has been a great experience.”

Watch the reactions of this year's AOP Awards winners as they learn they have won below.