Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Opticians in Colchester
Established in 1957, Owen Aves has built a proud legacy of delivering high-quality, pioneering community eye care. As an independent practice, we prioritise your visual health by recommending products and solutions tailored to your individual needs. Our approach combines advanced technology, including Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for detailed eye imaging, with a commitment to personalised service. We cater to unique visual requirements through comprehensive eye examinations, spectacles, contact lenses, and myopia management programmes. Our team of General Optical Council (GOC) registered optometrists and dispensing opticians brings decades of combined experience to ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments.By maintaining independence from corporate affiliations, we guarantee unbiased advice focused solely on your eye health. Our services extend to emergency care, routine check-ups, and specialist consultations, supported by a wide range of designer and budget-friendly eyewear. We serve both adults and children, with particular expertise in managing myopia progression through cutting-edge spectacle and contact lens technologies. Our dedication to continuous innovation ensures patients receive the most advanced and reliable eye care solutions available today.
Services
Eye Examinations
Spectacles
Contact Lenses
Myopia Management
Sunglasses
Ortho-K Lenses
Frame Repairs
Children's Eye Care
Digital Eye Scans
Prescription Lenses
Details
- Year established: 1957
Highlights and features
- We have over 65 years of experience in community eyecare
- We use advanced technology like OCT scans for precise diagnosis
- Our team includes GOC registered optometrists and dispensing opticians
- We offer independent, unbiased advice without corporate influence
- We provide specialist myopia management for children
What people say
Excellent service
Warm and welcoming
Care and quick thinking
Expert advice
Personalised approach
Services
Eye Examinations
Our comprehensive eye examinations use advanced diagnostic technology to detect early signs of visual problems and eye diseases. The 30-40 minute tests include digital imaging of eye structures through Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) for precise diagnosis. We provide NHS sight tests for eligible patients and tailor examinations to individual needs, including children and those with complex prescriptions.
Spectacles
We offer a wide selection of prescription spectacles ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury designer frames. Our qualified dispensing opticians help clients choose frames that suit their facial features, lifestyle, and prescription requirements. We provide complete frame and lens packages with options including lightweight titanium, rimless designs, and specialist lenses for different visual needs.
Contact Lenses
Our contact lens services include fittings, consultations, and supply of various lens types. We offer soft daily disposables, monthly disposables, toric lenses for astigmatism, and gas permeable options. The process includes suitability assessment, trial periods, and training in insertion/removal techniques. We also provide specialist lenses for keratoconus and other complex visual conditions.
Myopia Management
This specialist programme addresses progressive myopia in children using advanced spectacle and contact lens technologies. We employ Ortho-K lenses and other corrective methods to slow myopia progression, reducing risks of future eye complications. Regular monitoring and tailored treatment plans help manage children's visual development effectively.
Ortho-K Lenses
Ortho-K lenses are rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea. This non-surgical solution corrects myopia and astigmatism, providing clear daytime vision without glasses or contacts. We offer fittings and ongoing management for patients seeking alternatives to traditional vision correction methods.
People
Owen Aves
Founder
Established the practice in 1957, pioneering community eye care in Colchester. His legacy continues through our commitment to independent, patient-focused optometry services.
Questions
What eye care services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive eye examinations, prescription spectacles, contact lenses, myopia management, Ortho-K lenses, and protective eyewear solutions.
Are you open on Saturdays?
Yes, we are open Monday to Friday 8:45am-5:30pm and Saturdays 8:45am-5:00pm. Closed bank holidays.
Do you offer NHS eye tests?
Yes, we provide NHS sight tests for eligible patients including children, students, and those over 60 years old.
Can you help with children's eye care?
Yes, we specialise in children's eye examinations and myopia management programmes using advanced diagnostic technology and specialist lenses.
Do you stock designer eyewear?
We offer a wide range of designer frames including Maui Jim, Tom Ford, and Ray-Ban alongside budget-friendly options.
How do I book an appointment?
You can book online through our website or contact us directly at 01206 575693 during our opening hours.
Reviews (7)
David Youle
May 06, 2025
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Exceptionally responsive to my concerns about a newly developing eye condition. Made an appointment for me within 1 hour. Mrs Bowden made a thorough investigation and reassured me about my eye condition. The reception staff and all staff were outstanding as well.
Jill Sheppard
Apr 30, 2024
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Excellent service, friendly staff and a fabulous choice of frames - whether youre looking for reading glasses, sunglasses this is the place to be!!
Colin Maunder
Feb 19, 2022
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This optician might have some good reviews, but my experience was more like that expressed in the other one-star review. How incredibly rude and unhelpful the chap in this place was! I have been looking for something a bit different to replace my present glasses. I need rather strong lenses and have found it important to get my eyes tested and glasses made in the same shop. Having the test then hawking it around opticians just gets me to stuck having spent 500+ on glasses that aren't right, but with two opticians who blame each other for the fault.
So I wanted to find a pair of frames I liked first, then book a test. What do I get at Owen Aves? "Can't come in without an appointment." "But all I want to do is have a quick look at your selection of frames." "Not without an appointment. Please leave." A disgrace!
So I wanted to find a pair of frames I liked first, then book a test. What do I get at Owen Aves? "Can't come in without an appointment." "But all I want to do is have a quick look at your selection of frames." "Not without an appointment. Please leave." A disgrace!
Sophie Geary
Dec 30, 2020
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Visited for 1st time during 2nd Lockdown. Extremely efficient, organised and safe during these uncertain times. Eyes examined very thoroughly. Good selection of frames. New glasses came within 2 business days - extraordinarily fast. An excellent, independent opticians. Recommend very highly.
Captainstarkiller
May 31, 2020
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Great friendly service with an experienced team. There is a reason that my son keeps coming back (other than breaking his glasses).
Sarah Fidoe
Nov 05, 2019
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Staff member was extremely rude, she made me feel extremely unwelcome & as if I was interrupting her busy schedule. She did everything in her power to be awkward which was picked up by one of the customers waiting as he commented it was disgusting service. I left with no help or appointment! I went around the corner to a helpful team & left with an appointment
Andrea Sharp
Aug 12, 2019
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It was brilliant. My mum is disabled, and the staff were so friendly and helpful. Thank you all so much. And I will be back for my eye test soo.
