Dispensing Optician of the year 2018

Winner: Lee Berbillion

Lee started as a Trainee Technician with Davies and Jones Optometrists shortly after taking his GCSEs.  He went on to gain a degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing and has recently enrolled on a Contact Lens Course.

Lee supports his colleagues across the varied clinical and business needs of practice life. When Lee’s practice became aware that one of the major optical chains would be opening a store nearby Lee recommended changes which not only helped maintain market share, but ultimately increased turnover. 

“The most rewarding aspect of being a dispensing optician is when the patient collects their spectacles, and the involvement that I’ve had along the way with colleagues to help them achieve what they need”

Having a workshop background, he says he’s always up to date with the latest products and lens designs. He also works on designing the practice pricing booklet, and training colleagues on the new lens products. 

Lee believes building rapport and developing trust with his patients is very important
He says “I try to do everything I possibly can for the patient. Providing a good aftercare service improves the trust and loyalty between patient and practitioner”

"I believe aftercare is vital. Providing a good aftercare service improves the trust and loyalty between patient and practitioner"

Lee Berbillon

Runners up

Finalist: Anne Allan, Opticare Opticians 

Anne started an apprenticeship as an optical assistant 20 years ago and progressed to a managerial position after qualifying. She has since been promoted to Training and Development Manager for Opticare. She explains  “I became a dispensing optician because I liked nothing better than seeing the benefits and effects on patients that my knowledge and advice produced. The more I listened to the patient and focussed on knowledge and quality of product, the more our dispensing values increased as did the practice profitability”. 

Finalist: Cath Coles, Davies and Jones Opticians

Cath Coles, Davies and Jones Opticians, Talbot Green 

A pair of spectacles can change someone’s life, so knowing that I do this on a day-to-day basis is very fulfilling.

I think the most important thing is to talk to the community and let them know how important it is to be dispensed correctly, and why. We utilise social media and local lifestyle magazines, sponsor a local youth rugby team and a junior football team, and have supplied them with polarised sunspecs and stressed the importance of outdoor eye health. I am also  working with a local leisure centre to provide prescription swimming goggles and safety spectacles for squash and football.