FAQ - frames and lenses

Are all frames the same?

Certainly not! Like most things we buy we get what we pay for. Our frames are the latest from top designers in Europe and the USA and are not grey imports or mass produced in the Far East. They are made from the highest grade materials and precious metals. With good design and expert fitting comes comfort and long frame life. We only stock frames that we are happy to warranty for two years against manufacturing faults. We believe we are unique in this respect.

Are H&D frames expensive?

Not at all - you can buy at H&D for the same price as the high street multiples. All frames at Hammond and Dummer are chosen by Claire and we stock the unusual and unique. It doesn't follow that good design and quality has to be expensive. If your desire is for gold and diamonds then we can help but we are delighted to help you see better whatever the price of the product you chose.


Can I get a frame and lenses for £70.00?

Yes. The difference at Hammond and Dummer is that the £70.00 glasses are of good quality and guaranteed for two years. They are made in Europe of quality metal and hinges. In the High Street you can also buy for £70.00; a product made in the Far East and purchased for no more than £2.50. Nice mark up - no wonder they fall to bits after a couple of weeks. We don't have to pay our European shareholders.


Will anybody at Hammond and Dummer help me choose the best frame and lenses?

Absolutely! Our small and dedicated team of experts will help and advise on the best frame for you. Time is not a consideration for us; we spend as long as it takes to find the best products for you. We can help you choose the right frame and lenses in the time you have available. Many of our patients spend an hour or two - with many cups of coffee - choosing frames and lenses in a relaxed and friendly environment.


Is there a difference in lenses?

There is a vast difference in lenses. We fit only branded Nikon, Essilor and Zeiss lenses, purchased in the UK, to our patient's frames. In inexpensive cameras, for example, the image can be fuzzy and indistinct and unable to be enlarged - the more you pay for a camera lens then the clearer the image is with fewer aberrations around the edges resulting in the ability to enlarge to huge images. It is the same for optical lenses except it is your sight that is improved by quality lenses. There is also a huge difference in the quality of coatings on the lenses, the best coatings will not break down and give you 'smeared' lenses. We also guarantee the lenses from manufacturing faults for two years.


Why do H&D only use Nikon, Zeiss and Essilor lenses?

Simply they are the best products available. Claire and her family all wear Zeiss and Nikon lenses. If she can trust her children's eyesight to these lenses then it is easy to see why she has no hesitation in recommending them to her patients.


What is a designer frame?

Many clever marketing directors of big opticians would have you believe that if a product has a designer tag then it is high quality. This is not quite true. If we look at football as an example. All players in the Premier League and Championship are professional footballers but only a relative few are exceptional players. It's the same with glasses only a few are exceptional, Chanel is one example. However some exceptional brands maybe unfamiliar to you, Booth and Bruce, Lindberg, Face a Face, Porsche, Mont Blanc and TAG. We will only sell the exceptionally high quality glasses and may not recommend some of the more famous brands as our experience is that the quality is not of the highest standard or comfort.