Clare Pearce BSc (Hons) MCOptom is our Clinical Director and sole optometrist, with her main responsibility being the clinical care of all of our patients.
Clare began her career in optics over twenty years ago when she started her degree in Optometry and Vision Science at Cardiff University in 2001. After graduating three years later, Clare worked in a large multiple for several years before leaving to set up the practice in 2012.
Clare knows how important it is to keep her clinical skills up to date. She is accredited under the Wales Eye Care Scheme to conduct emergency eye health examinations and further examinations covered under the scheme. She has also gained the professional certificate in Low Vision and most recently the professional certificate in Medical Retina. These have increased her depth of knowledge, improved the practices she uses on a daily basis and has equipped her to be able to deliver enhanced services now and in the future. The low vision qualifications means that Clare is qualified to conduct Low Vision Assessments on behalf of the Welsh Low Vision Service.
Clare has also represented Wales as a council member for the College of Optometrists. Elected to the council by her peers, Clare’s role was to relay information between practicing optometrists in Wales and the College to help shape the future of optometry in the UK.
Clare loves anything crafty and in her spare time, she always has a project on the go. Recently she has spent a lot of time sewing on her machine, making paper craft and also hand lettering. The practice is full of Clare’s craft handiwork – from the bunting in the examination room to hand written informational posters on our walls and price signs on our frame racks.
Being outdoors with her husband and twin girls (whether on a bike, in the water or up a mountain) is one of Clare’s favourite things. She is a cycle commuter and come rain or shine, Clare rides her bike to and from work at least twice a week. Sport also plays a large part in her life and with a few triathlons under her belt, Clare is always looking for the next event to take part in!
Clare is passionate about making optometry accessible to all and has worked hard towards making this a reality. She has worked with Marie Curie to make the practice a dementia friendly space and has personally become a dementia friend. As part of accessibility, Clare is aware of the barriers in place for patients with hearing impairment and has made a conscious effort to become deaf aware. She has also taken this a step further and over ten years ago, began to learn British Sign Language. Through gaining level one at college and continuing to learn BSL with friends, Clare is now confident to conduct a sight test in BSL and enjoys chatting to those patients who use the language. Clare would love to see deaf awareness and dementia awareness to be widespread and has worked with Marie Curie to promote how other businesses can also make the simple changes required to do the same.
Clare’s excellent clinical skills and her dedication to making optometry accessible to all saw her named Optometrist of the Year at the 2022 Optician Awards, and she was asked to help judge the same awards in 2023.