An optical practice should never stand still.
Eyewear changes. Lens technology changes. The way we understand and monitor eye health continues to change too. And increasingly, glasses themselves are becoming part of the technology people use every day.
That thinking has shaped the direction of 1st Choice Vision in St Albans.
Since taking over the practice, our aim has been to bring several sides of modern optometry together under one roof: professional eye care, advanced lens technology, a constantly evolving collection of designer eyewear, smart glasses, experienced optical dispensing, specialised frame repairs and genuine ongoing aftercare.
The refurbishment of our St Albans practice was an important first step, but it was never meant to be the finish line. Since then, we have continued investing in the practice — from Visioffice 3 personalised lens measurements and advanced Varilux progressive lenses to new designer collections, smart eyewear and expanded repair capabilities.
Our next stage continues in the same direction, with further investment planned in eye-health technology, myopia monitoring, dry-eye care and bringing more technical optical services in-house.
There is also another side to our story. Alongside 1st Choice Vision, our wider eyewear business includes four Florentine Eyewear locations across Melbourne. That broader experience has given us years of exposure to designer eyewear, new collections and developments across the optical industry.
This article is a look inside what 1st Choice Vision is today, what you can find when you visit us, and — just as importantly — where we are heading next.
When we took over 1st Choice Vision, we didn’t want to simply change the look of the store and leave everything else the same. The refurbishment was the beginning of a much bigger plan for the practice.
Our goal is to build a modern independent optometry practice where eye health, advanced technology, premium lenses, designer eyewear and experienced service all work together.
For us, that means continuing to invest. Last year it was the refurbishment and the introduction of Visioffice 3 for more precise, personalised lens measurements. This year and beyond, our plans include further investment in eye-health technology, more advanced myopia monitoring, dry-eye assessment and treatment technology, and eventually bringing more of our lens work in-house.
The eyewear side of the practice follows the same philosophy. Rather than allowing the collection to stay the same year after year, we continually look for new brands, current-season models, smart eyewear and different styles across a range of price points. Over approximately the past year alone, we have added around 10 major brands to our portfolio.
But having the latest equipment or a wall full of designer frames isn’t enough on its own. We want customers to understand what they are buying, why something has been recommended and what other options are available.
Sometimes the right solution is a premium personalised lens. Sometimes it is a more straightforward option. Sometimes a favourite pair of glasses can be repaired instead of replaced.
That’s the kind of practice we’re working to build: somewhere customers can return for their eye health, glasses, lenses, repairs, adjustments and ongoing advice, rather than somewhere they visit only when it’s time to buy another pair.
Good eyewear is only one part of what we do. At the centre of 1st Choice Vision St Albans is professional eye care, with our optometrists providing comprehensive eye examinations for both adults and children.
An eye test is about much more than checking whether your prescription has changed. Depending on the individual patient, an examination can also help assess eye health and identify signs that may require further investigation, monitoring or referral.
If you’d like to know more about what happens during an appointment, read our Comprehensive Eye Examination Explained guide.
Our approach to clinical technology is simple: we don’t want to buy equipment once and then stand still.
As part of the next stage of developing the practice, we are investing in a new-generation OCT system. Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) provides detailed cross-sectional images of structures within the eye and can give an optometrist valuable additional information when assessing and monitoring ocular health.
This technology can be particularly useful as part of the assessment and monitoring of conditions affecting the retina and optic nerve. We already have detailed guides for patients who would like to learn more about glaucoma and cataracts, including the symptoms, risk factors and why regular eye examinations matter.
Children’s vision is another area where we want to continue investing.
For suitable children with myopia (short-sightedness), simply knowing the glasses prescription doesn’t always tell the whole story. One of our planned investments is axial-length measurement, which measures the length of the eye and provides objective information that can help optometrists monitor changes associated with myopia progression.
We already offer myopia-management options including Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses for suitable children following an optometric assessment. We’ll talk more about the technology behind Stellest later in this article.
Parents who want to understand the condition in more detail can read our guides to myopia in children and myopia control in children.
Dry, irritated or uncomfortable eyes are common complaints in optometry, but dry eye can have different causes and doesn’t have one solution that suits everybody.
Advanced dry-eye assessment and treatment technology is therefore another area we are looking at as part of our longer-term investment in the practice.
For now, if you’re experiencing symptoms such as dryness, irritation, burning, watering or fluctuating vision, our Dry Eye Disease guide explains common symptoms, causes and treatment approaches in more detail.
Choosing a good frame is important, but what goes into that frame matters just as much.
At 1st Choice Vision St Albans, Essilor is our primary premium lens partner, giving us access to a broad range of lens designs for different prescriptions, lifestyles and visual needs. But choosing the lens is only part of the process — how that lens is measured, fitted and positioned in front of your eyes can also make a significant difference.
For customers who need progressive lenses, our premium range includes advanced Varilux designs, including the Varilux XR series.
We combine these lenses with measurements taken using our Visioffice 3 system. Rather than relying only on basic measurements, Visioffice allows us to collect more personalised fitting information based on the individual wearer, their chosen frame and how that frame sits on their face.
This is particularly valuable with advanced personalised progressive lenses, where accurate measurements are an important part of achieving the intended lens performance.
If you’re new to multifocals or want to understand the difference between progressive lens designs, our Progressive Lenses Explained guide goes into much more detail about how they work, who they are for and what to expect when adapting to them.
The lens design isn’t the only consideration. The coating applied to the lens affects things such as reflections, everyday clarity, durability and how easy the lenses are to maintain.
For our main premium lens offering, Crizal Sapphire HR is our starting premium coating option. We believe that when someone is investing in a quality lens, the coating protecting that lens shouldn’t simply be an afterthought.
Where applicable, our genuine premium lenses are also supplied with the relevant manufacturer documentation or certification, so customers can have confidence in the lens product they have selected.
Not everyone needs progressive lenses.
For single-vision wearers with significant near and digital-device demands, we can recommend Eyezen lenses where appropriate.
We also offer the latest Transitions photochromic lens options for customers who want lenses that adapt to changing light conditions.
For people who spend much of their day at a desk or moving between a computer screen, paperwork and other intermediate or near tasks, occupational or office lenses can provide another option. These are designed around working distances and can offer a wider, more comfortable field for these tasks than conventional reading glasses for suitable wearers.
The important part is that we don’t start with a lens name and try to make it fit everybody. We look at the person’s prescription, work, lifestyle, frame choice and how they actually use their vision throughout the day.
For suitable children who require myopia management, we offer Essilor Stellest spectacle lenses.
Stellest lenses use H.A.L.T. technology — Highly Aspherical Lenslet Target — with a specific arrangement of lenslets designed for myopia control while maintaining clear central vision.
Stellest isn’t simply a children’s glasses upgrade. Myopia management should follow an appropriate optometric assessment and ongoing monitoring.
High prescriptions can present a different challenge: lens thickness and appearance.
Alongside our Essilor range, we also work with Tokai Optical of Japan for selected prescriptions. Tokai offers 1.76 high-index plastic lenses, giving us another option when reducing lens thickness is particularly important.
This can be especially useful for suitable high prescriptions, although the final lens thickness will always depend on more than the lens material alone. Prescription, frame size and shape, pupil position and other fitting considerations all play a role.
That’s why our approach isn’t to recommend the same “premium” lens to everyone. Sometimes the most advanced personalised progressive is appropriate. Sometimes a specialised high-index lens makes more sense. And sometimes a simpler lens is all the customer actually needs.
The aim is to find the right lens for the person wearing it, not simply the most expensive one.
Eyewear is fashion as much as it is function, and one of the things we enjoy most at 1st Choice Vision is keeping our collection moving.
We don’t want customers coming back a year later and seeing exactly the same frames on the wall. Over approximately the past year alone, we have added around 10 major brands to our portfolio, and we continue to bring in new-season collections and current models throughout the year.
Our designer range includes some of the best-known names in luxury and fashion eyewear, including CELINE, Chopard, Gucci, Saint Laurent (YSL), Fendi, Givenchy, Prada, Prada Linea Rossa, Tiffany & Co., Miu Miu, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and Tom Ford.
We also carry LINDBERG, known for its minimalist approach to eyewear, alongside distinctive collections such as CAZAL and specialist options including TITANFLEX.
For customers looking for lifestyle, performance and everyday eyewear, our range also includes Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Police, Porsche Design, Carrera, David Beckham, Nike, Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Vogue Eyewear, Calvin Klein, Longchamp, Ferragamo, Furla and Stuart Weitzman.
Children aren’t forgotten either. Our range includes selected children’s collections from Ray-Ban Kids, Versace Kids and Dolce&Gabbana Kids, giving younger wearers options beyond purely functional children’s frames.
For us, having designer eyewear isn’t about seeing how many logos we can fit onto a wall.
A large collection is only useful if there is enough variety to help different people find something that actually works for their face, prescription, personal style and budget. Some customers walk in knowing exactly which brand and model they want. Others have no interest in the name on the temple and simply want a frame that looks great, feels comfortable and works properly with their prescription. Both approaches are completely fine.
Our job is to help narrow down the options rather than push someone towards a particular frame simply because it carries a higher price tag. Having experience across five eyewear locations also gives our wider team significant exposure to different collections and new releases. It helps us maintain relationships across the eyewear industry, source particular models or colours where available, and continually refresh what customers can see in store.
The collection will continue to change. We are regularly reviewing new brands and upcoming collections, and Cartier Eyewear is among the brands we are planning to introduce in the future.
As with everything else in the practice, the aim isn’t to build the collection once and call it finished. We want customers who enjoy eyewear to have a reason to come back and see what’s new.
Eyewear is changing. Glasses are no longer limited to correcting vision or protecting our eyes from the sun — some are becoming wearable technology in their own right.
At 1st Choice Vision, we have already started expanding into this area with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Nuance Audio, two very different examples of how technology is being built into eyewear.
Ray-Ban Meta combines the familiar look of Ray-Ban eyewear with connected technology built into the frame.
Depending on the model and available features, the glasses integrate a camera, open-ear audio, microphones, voice interaction and Meta AI functionality. This allows users to do things such as capture photos and video, listen to audio, make calls and use supported voice and AI features without having to constantly reach for their phone.
What we particularly like about this category is that the technology is being incorporated into eyewear people may genuinely want to wear — rather than making the glasses look like a piece of electronic equipment.
For customers interested in smart glasses, being able to see and try the frame in person is also important. Fit, comfort and appearance still matter, regardless of how much technology is inside the frame.
Nuance Audio takes smart eyewear in a completely different direction.
Instead of focusing on cameras and connected lifestyle features, Nuance Audio combines eyewear with open-ear hearing technology, designed for adults who may benefit from hearing support in certain everyday situations.
The technology is integrated into the glasses, making the hearing functionality far less visually obvious than a conventional hearing device. Nuance Audio has become an important new category across our eyewear business, and it is a good example of where we believe the optical industry is heading: products that combine vision, eyewear and useful technology in ways that weren’t widely available only a few years ago.
We don’t intend to add new technology simply because it is new. As the smart-eyewear category develops, our aim is to keep looking at products that offer something genuinely useful while still working as good eyewear.
A broken or uncomfortable pair of glasses doesn’t always need to be replaced.
At 1st Choice Vision, repairs and adjustments are an important part of what we do. Our experienced optical dispensing team works with a wide variety of frames, and wherever it is practical and safe to do so, our first question is often: can we repair it?
Depending on the frame and the problem, our repair and adjustment services can include frame alignment, nose-pad replacement and modification, spring-hinge and temple repairs, minor component repairs, fitting adjustments and other frame-related work.
We can also polish and restore suitable older acetate frames. Over time, acetate can lose some of its original finish and develop surface wear. In suitable cases, careful restoration and polishing can improve the appearance of a well-loved frame and help extend its usable life.
Of course, not every damaged frame can or should be repaired. The material, location and extent of the damage all matter, and sometimes replacement really is the better option. We prefer to assess the frame first and explain what is realistically possible.
One of the more specialised frame modifications we offer is implanting adjustable nose-pad arms into suitable acetate frames that were originally made without adjustable nose pads. This can be useful when someone loves a particular acetate frame but the bridge doesn’t sit comfortably or securely on their nose. Depending on the frame and the individual fitting problem, adding adjustable nose pads can provide another way to fine-tune how the glasses sit. It is more involved than simply replacing an existing nose pad. The frame first needs to be assessed to determine whether its construction and material are suitable for the modification. Not every acetate frame is a candidate, and we would rather say no to a modification that isn’t appropriate than risk damaging a customer’s frame.
Not every problem requires a major repair.
Sometimes glasses simply need to be realigned, tightened or adjusted after regular wear. Small fitting changes can make a noticeable difference to how securely and comfortably a frame sits.
For glasses purchased from 1st Choice Vision, many minor adjustments and repairs are provided at no charge as part of our ongoing aftercare. We also welcome repair enquiries for eyewear purchased elsewhere and aim to keep repair charges reasonable where a repair is possible.
We want customers to feel comfortable bringing their glasses back to us after they’ve collected them. Good optical service shouldn’t end the moment somebody walks out the door with a new pair.
Want to keep your frames and lenses in good condition for longer? Read our complete guide on how to clean, store and protect your glasses and sunglasses.
Another part of our long-term plan is to bring more of the technical side of optical dispensing directly into 1st Choice Vision.
At the moment, we work closely with our lens laboratory and can prioritise urgent jobs where possible. This already helps us achieve fast turnaround times for many prescriptions, but we want to take that capability further.
One of our next major workshop investments is an in-house lens edging system.
Lens edging is the process of precisely cutting and shaping a prescription lens so that it fits the selected frame. Bringing suitable edging work into the practice would give us greater control over part of the production process and, importantly, allow us to respond more quickly when a customer urgently needs their glasses.
This isn’t simply a matter of buying a machine and plugging it in. The project requires further investment and modifications to the practice, including the necessary installation and plumbing, which we are currently planning.
Once the in-house edging system is established, our goal is to be able to produce selected single-vision glasses within a few hours, where the prescription, lens type, frame and lens availability make that possible.
We think this could make a real difference in situations where someone has broken or lost their glasses and can’t comfortably wait several days for a replacement.
It won’t mean every prescription can be made on the same day. More complex prescriptions, specialised lens designs, coatings and personalised lenses may still require laboratory production. We would rather be clear about those limitations than promise a same-day service that isn’t appropriate for every pair of glasses.
For us, the bigger goal is simple: bring more optical capability into the practice and keep improving what we can do for our customers locally.
The experience behind 1st Choice Vision extends beyond our St Albans practice.
Alongside 1st Choice Vision, we own and operate four Florentine Eyewear locations across Melbourne:
Together with 1st Choice Vision, that gives our wider eyewear business a presence across five locations.
Florentine Eyewear has given us extensive experience in the designer eyewear and sunglass market. Working across multiple locations also means we are continually seeing what customers are looking for, which collections are changing and what is happening across the wider eyewear industry.
It also strengthens our relationships with eyewear suppliers and gives us access to broader collections and new releases. When a customer at 1st Choice Vision is looking for a particular model, colour or style that we don’t currently have in store, our wider network can sometimes help us source it, subject to availability.
For us, the five locations are not about simply having more stores. The real advantage is the experience, buying knowledge and access to eyewear that comes from working with a much broader range of products and customers.
The next stage is to take some of what we have developed at 1st Choice Vision and expand it further.
Over the coming year, we are planning to introduce optometry services at our DFO Uni Hill and DFO Moorabbin locations. The aim is to expand these stores beyond designer eyewear retail by adding professional eye examinations, prescription lenses and optical services alongside their existing eyewear collections.
This is still part of our planned expansion, so these services are not being presented as currently available at those locations.
Our longer-term vision is to bring the same combination of professional eye care, modern technology, premium lenses and designer eyewear to more of our locations while keeping the personal service that comes with an independently operated optical business.
Technology, premium lenses and designer frames are important, but ultimately an optical practice is about the people looking after you.
At 1st Choice Vision St Albans, our team combines optometry, optical dispensing and many years of experience in the eyewear industry. We also have Vietnamese-speaking team members who can assist Vietnamese-speaking patients and customers when needed.
Lewis Nguyen has been part of the practice for more than 10 years.
That continuity is particularly valuable for long-term patients who have been seeing the same optometrist over many years. Having that history can also help when monitoring changes in a patient’s vision and eye health over time.
Lewis also speaks Vietnamese, helping us provide easier communication for Vietnamese-speaking patients in our local community.
Ashan works alongside Lewis and provides optometric care on the days Lewis is away from the practice.
Together, our optometrists provide the clinical side of 1st Choice Vision, from routine eye examinations and prescription changes to children’s vision, contact lenses and assessment of eye-health concerns.
Grace brings approximately 15 years of optical-industry experience to the practice.
Her experience covers dispensing, eyewear fitting, adjustments, repairs and helping customers choose frames and lenses that work for their individual needs.
Grace also speaks Vietnamese and can assist Vietnamese-speaking customers throughout the dispensing and eyewear process.
Trinh also has approximately 15 years of experience in the optical industry, with extensive experience in optical dispensing, frame fitting, adjustments, repairs and customer care.
She also speaks Vietnamese, giving our Vietnamese-speaking customers another familiar point of communication within the practice.
Mohammad has worked in the eyewear industry in Australia since 2013, with experience spanning optical retail, designer eyewear, dispensing and multi-store management.
He completed his Master’s degree in Australia and later undertook formal optical dispensing studies through the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD), becoming a qualified optical dispenser. This combination of business experience and optical training has helped shape the direction he wants to take 1st Choice Vision.
Before acquiring 1st Choice Vision, Mohammad was General Manager of Florentine Eyewear during the period when the business operated 13 stores. The role gave him extensive experience managing a larger optical retail network and building long-standing relationships with many of Australia’s major eyewear suppliers, key account teams and industry representatives.
When Florentine later downsized, Mohammad acquired four of its locations — DFO Essendon, DFO Uni Hill, Spencer Outlet and DFO Moorabbin — before later acquiring 1st Choice Vision in St Albans. Today, he owns and operates the wider eyewear business across five locations.
His focus at 1st Choice Vision has been to take that experience and build something more comprehensive: a modern optometry practice combining professional eye care, experienced optical dispensing, premium lenses, current designer eyewear, smart eyewear, specialised repairs and continually improving technology.
That also explains the ongoing investment in the practice. Rather than completing one refurbishment and considering the job finished, Mohammad’s goal is to keep introducing new equipment, new services and new eyewear as the industry develops.
For him, however, having premium products is only part of the equation. The aim is to give customers clear and honest options at different price points, explain what they are paying for, and recommend what actually suits their prescription, lifestyle and needs rather than automatically directing them towards the most expensive option.
Those long-standing industry relationships continue to help us today, particularly when it comes to accessing new collections, sourcing particular eyewear and keeping up with developments across the optical industry.
But regardless of whether someone comes in for an eye examination, a new pair of glasses, a difficult adjustment or simply some advice, we want the experience to remain personal and straightforward.
For us, collecting your new glasses shouldn’t be the end of the relationship.
Frames can loosen, nose pads can wear, glasses can move out of alignment and sometimes a new pair simply needs a small adjustment after it has been worn for a while. That’s why ongoing fitting and aftercare are part of the service at 1st Choice Vision.
For eyewear purchased from us, we provide complimentary adjustments and fitting assistance, and our experienced optical dispensing team is always happy to check how your glasses are sitting and make appropriate adjustments where needed.
We also work closely with our frame and lens suppliers when legitimate warranty issues arise. Where a manufacturer’s warranty applies, we’ll do our best to help manage the process and find a practical solution rather than simply sending the customer away to deal with it themselves.
We provide Medicare bulk-billed eye examinations for eligible patients, as well as health-fund claiming for participating Australian health funds.
We also welcome international students and can provide eye examinations regardless of whether the patient has applicable insurance. Where insurance or health-fund benefits are available, our team can help explain the relevant claiming options.
Eyewear also doesn’t have to sit at one particular price point.
Alongside our premium designer collections and advanced personalised lenses, we offer options across different budgets, as well as regular second-pair offers and package deals. The available promotions can change, so we’d rather explain the current options in store than advertise an offer long after it has finished.
Sometimes a customer knows exactly what they want — a particular model, colour or size — but we don’t have that exact combination sitting on the shelf.
Because of our wider supplier relationships and experience across five locations, we can often check availability and try to source particular frames or models, including some new or harder-to-find designer styles. Availability will always depend on the brand and current Australian stock, but we’re happy to look. And if we don’t think the most expensive option is necessary, we’ll say so.
Our approach is to recommend what makes sense for the customer’s prescription, visual needs, lifestyle, frame and budget, rather than assuming that the highest-priced product must automatically be the right one.
That’s the kind of long-term relationship we want with our customers — somewhere they feel comfortable coming back for an adjustment, a repair, an eye-health question or simply some advice.
The practice you see today isn’t meant to be the finished version of 1st Choice Vision.
Our long-term plan is to keep investing in the areas that can genuinely improve eye care, eyewear and the service we provide. Some projects are already underway, while others are part of our next stage of development.
One of our next major clinical investments is a new-generation OCT system, which will further develop our ability to examine, document and monitor eye health.
We are also planning to introduce axial-length measurement as we continue developing our myopia-management services. Measuring axial length gives optometrists objective information about the length of the eye and can be useful when monitoring the progression of myopia over time.
Further ahead, advanced dry-eye assessment and treatment technology is another area we want to develop. It represents a significant investment, so our approach is to introduce new clinical technology carefully rather than simply adding equipment for the sake of having it.
On the dispensing side, our planned in-house lens edging system is another important step.
Our goal is to eventually be able to produce selected single-vision glasses within a few hours, where the prescription, frame and lens availability allow it.
Not every pair of glasses will be suitable for same-day production — personalised progressives, specialised coatings and more complex prescriptions may still require laboratory production — but bringing suitable work in-house should give us greater flexibility when customers need their glasses urgently.
Our eyewear collection will keep changing too.
Over approximately the past year, we have added around 10 major brands, and we don’t intend to stop refreshing the range. We’ll continue looking for new-season collections, distinctive independent eyewear and new technology that we believe is genuinely worth bringing into the practice.
Cartier Eyewear is among the brands we are planning to introduce in the future, while smart-eyewear categories such as Ray-Ban Meta and Nuance Audio are areas we expect to continue developing as the technology evolves.
Growth isn’t limited to St Albans.
Over the coming year, we are also planning to introduce optometry services at Florentine Eyewear DFO Uni Hill and DFO Moorabbin.
The intention is to bring professional eye examinations, prescription lenses and optical services alongside the designer eyewear already available at those locations.
In five years, we want 1st Choice Vision to be recognised as a destination for eye health, advanced optical technology and premium eyewear in St Albans and the surrounding community.
We want someone walking through our doors to be able to find professional eye care, experienced optical dispensing, personalised premium lenses, current designer collections, smart eyewear, specialised repairs and genuine ongoing aftercare — all in one place.
But perhaps the most important part of our five-year plan is that 1st Choice Vision should keep changing.
The practice customers visit five years from now shouldn’t look exactly like the practice they visit today. There will be new eye-care technology, new lens designs, new eyewear and services that may not even exist yet.
Our job is to keep learning, keep investing and decide which of those developments can genuinely make things better for our customers.
1st Choice Vision has changed significantly, but we're still building.
Our aim is to create an independent optometry practice in St Albans where professional eye care, experienced optical dispensing, advanced lens technology, designer eyewear, smart glasses, specialised repairs and genuine aftercare can all be found under one roof.
Some of what we've discussed in this article is already part of what we do every day. Other developments — including new eye-health technology, axial-length measurement, dry-eye technology, in-house lens edging and expanding optometry into more of our locations — are part of where we're heading next.
What won't change is our approach. We want to keep improving the practice, stay current with developments in optometry and eyewear, and give our customers clear advice and options that make sense for their individual needs.
If you'd like to have your eyes examined, explore our latest eyewear or talk to us about your glasses, lenses or repairs, you're always welcome to visit 1st Choice Vision in St Albans.
The information provided in this article is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to replace personalised advice, diagnosis or treatment from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, medical practitioner or other appropriately qualified health professional.
Eye health, vision requirements and suitability for particular lenses, contact lenses, myopia-management options or other optical products and services can vary between individuals. Recommendations should be based on an appropriate eye examination, clinical assessment and individual circumstances.
Information about eyewear, prescription lenses, lens coatings, smart eyewear and other products is general in nature. Features, specifications, availability and suitability may vary between products and may change over time. Brand names and trademarks mentioned in this article remain the property of their respective owners.
Designer eyewear brands, individual models, colours and sizes are subject to availability and may change as collections are updated. If you are looking for a particular frame or model, please contact 1st Choice Vision to confirm current availability.
Repair and modification services depend on the material, construction and condition of the individual frame. Not every damaged frame can be safely repaired or modified, and frames must be assessed before we can confirm whether a particular repair is appropriate.
Some equipment, technology and services discussed in this article are part of our future development plans and are not currently available. This includes services specifically described as planned, upcoming or being developed. Timelines and final availability may change as our plans and technology evolve.
Medicare bulk billing is available for eligible patients and is subject to Medicare requirements. Private health insurance benefits and claiming options depend on the individual health fund, level of cover and applicable conditions.
Information in this article was current at the time of publication. For current services, products, availability, offers or appointment information, please contact 1st Choice Vision St Albans directly.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1st Choice Vision
Yes. 1st Choice Vision provides comprehensive eye examinations in St Albans for adults and children, including prescription assessment and eye-health evaluation. Medicare bulk-billed eye examinations are available for eligible patients.
If you have changes in your vision, concerns about your eye health or simply haven’t had your eyes checked for a while, our optometrists can assess your vision and advise you on appropriate next steps.
Our collection includes a wide range of designer, luxury, lifestyle and performance eyewear, including CELINE, Chopard, Gucci, Saint Laurent, Fendi, Givenchy, Prada, Prada Linea Rossa, Tiffany & Co., Miu Miu, Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Dolce&Gabbana, Versace, Burberry, Tom Ford, Jimmy Choo LINDBERG, CAZAL, Ray-Ban, Oakley, Maui Jim, Police, Porsche Design, Carrera, David Beckham, Nike, Coach, Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Vogue Eyewear, Calvin Klein, Longchamp, Ferragamo, Furla, Stuart Weitzman and TITANFLEX, along with selected children’s collections.
Our range changes regularly as new collections and models arrive, so availability of individual brands, styles and colours can vary.
Yes. We provide a range of glasses repairs and adjustments in St Albans, including frame alignment, nose-pad replacement and modification, spring-hinge and temple repairs, minor component repairs and fitting adjustments.
We can also polish and restore suitable older acetate frames. Whether a particular frame can be repaired depends on its material, construction and the extent of the damage, so we prefer to inspect it before recommending repair or replacement.
In some cases, yes. We can implant adjustable nose-pad arms into suitable acetate frames that were originally made without adjustable nose pads.
This specialised modification may help improve the fit and comfort of certain frames, but not every acetate frame is suitable. We need to inspect the frame first before confirming whether the modification can be carried out safely.
Yes. Our premium progressive lens range includes advanced Varilux designs, including the Varilux XR series. We also use Visioffice 3 to take personalised fitting measurements for suitable advanced lenses.
The best progressive lens isn’t necessarily the same for every person, so we consider the prescription, chosen frame, visual requirements and lifestyle before recommending a lens design.
Yes. Our smart-eyewear range includes Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses and Nuance Audio.
Ray-Ban Meta combines eyewear with features such as a camera, open-ear audio, voice interaction and supported Meta AI functionality, while Nuance Audio takes a different approach by integrating open-ear hearing technology into eyewear.
Not yet. We are planning to introduce an in-house lens edging system with the goal of eventually producing selected single-vision glasses within a few hours where the prescription, frame, lens type and lens availability allow.
More complex prescriptions and specialised lenses may still need to be produced by an external laboratory. Until the new system is operational, customers should contact us for current turnaround times.
Medically reviewed by the First Choice Vision Optometry Team
This article has been reviewed by the First Choice Vision Optometry Team for the accuracy of its general eye-care and optometry information.
Last updated: September 2026
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