Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists Nominated for Shop of the Year in Lytham St Annes
- drewthompson7
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
We are delighted to announce that Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists has been nominated for Andrew Snowden MP's Shop of the Year Competition.
As an independent opticians serving Lytham St Annes and the Fylde Coast since 1997, this nomination means a great deal to our entire team. For almost three decades, we have been privileged to care for generations of local families, helping people enjoy better vision, healthier eyes and access to expert eye care close to home.
Providing Rapid NHS Emergency Eye Care in Lytham St Annes
One of the developments we are most proud of in recent years has been expanding our role as a provider of NHS emergency eye care across Lytham St Annes and the Fylde Coast.
As Independent Prescribing Optometrists, we can assess, diagnose and treat many urgent eye conditions directly within our practice. This allows patients suffering from painful red eyes, eye infections, corneal injuries, flashes and floaters, sudden changes in vision and other urgent eye problems to access expert care quickly and conveniently.
Many patients are surprised to learn that they can often bypass both their GP and hospital eye department and receive treatment directly from our specialist clinicians. In many cases we can provide same-day appointments and prescribe the medication needed to begin treatment immediately.
The service has been extremely well received and patients regularly comment on how reassuring it is to receive rapid access to specialist eye care close to home when they need it most.
More Than Just an Eye Test
Many people know us as their local optician for routine eye examinations and glasses, but our services extend far beyond a standard sight test.
Our practice provides:
Comprehensive eye examinations
NHS and private emergency eye care
Independent prescribing services
Specialist contact lens fitting
Keratoconus management
Mini-scleral contact lenses
Myopia management for children
Dry eye assessments and treatment
Advanced retinal imaging and OCT scanning
Hospital-linked specialist clinics
Our team regularly manages complex eye conditions that would traditionally have required referral into hospital eye services, helping patients receive faster care closer to home.
Specialist Contact Lens Expertise
Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists has become one of the region's leading centres for specialist contact lenses.
We help patients with keratoconus, corneal grafts, irregular corneas, post-laser surgery complications and other challenging eye conditions achieve the best possible vision through bespoke contact lens solutions.
Many of our patients travel from across Lancashire and beyond specifically to access our specialist expertise.
Investing in Advanced Eye Care Technology
As an independent optician, we continually invest in advanced diagnostic equipment to ensure our patients benefit from the highest standard of care.
From advanced OCT eye scans and retinal imaging to specialist dry eye assessments and corneal topography, we are committed to bringing hospital-level technology into a convenient community setting.
This investment allows us to detect eye conditions earlier, monitor disease more accurately and provide greater reassurance for our patients.
Proudly Independent Since 1997
The high street has changed enormously over the years.
While many optical practices are now owned by large national chains, Thompson & Hardwick remains proudly independent. This independence allows us to focus entirely on what is best for our patients, providing personalised care, longer appointment times and access to specialist services that are often unavailable elsewhere.
We believe independent healthcare businesses play a vital role in supporting local communities, preserving thriving high streets and ensuring patients continue to have genuine choice in their healthcare.
Supporting Our Local Community
This nomination is not just recognition of our practice—it is recognition of the incredible community that has supported us over the years.
Many of our patients have trusted us with their eye care for decades and we now regularly care for multiple generations of the same family.
Whether we have helped you with an emergency eye problem, fitted your glasses, managed a complex eye condition, provided specialist contact lenses or simply offered advice when you needed it most, we are incredibly grateful for the trust you place in us.
How You Can Help
If we have ever helped you, a family member or a friend, we would be honoured if you would consider voting for us in Andrew Snowden MP's Shop of the Year Competition.
Every vote helps celebrate the importance of independent local businesses and supports the continued provision of specialist eye care services within our community.
Voting takes less than a minute, but your support would mean the world to our entire team.
Thank You
From everyone at Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists, thank you for your continued support, loyalty and friendship over the years.
We are proud to serve the people of Lytham St Annes, Ansdell, St Annes, Warton, Freckleton, Kirkham and the wider Fylde Coast, and we look forward to caring for your eyes for many years to come.
Drew Thompson
Independent Prescribing Optometrist
Thompson & Hardwick Optometrists
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