What Black & Lizars Optometrists does

Black & Lizars is a privately held, Scotland-based optometry practice founded in 1830 by John Lizars, operating 8 physical locations concentrated in the Glasgow and Edinburgh urban corridors (with a single Paisley site). The company delivers a full-stack eye care service: NHS-funded sight tests, private "Enhanced Eye Examinations" built around advanced diagnostic imaging (OCT, Optomap ultra-widefield retinal scans, biometry), and an expanding portfolio of specialized services including myopia management (night lenses, DIMS spectacle lenses, biometry-based axial-length monitoring), colorimetry for visual stress and dyslexia, dry eye clinic, and hearing assessments with hearing aid fitting. A complementary online Vision Recheck platform, delivered through a partnership with IBISVision, extends the practice's reach with self-administered 3-minute and 10-minute home vision tests.

The underlying technology stack centers on clinical-grade imaging devices (OCT, Optomap, biometry) whose outputs are linked to AI databases to support longitudinal eye health monitoring and early detection of conditions such as retinal tears, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes indicators. Operationally, the firm runs on Optix practice management software, is GDPR-compliant and ICO-registered (Z7251715), and operates a sister entity, Lizars Healthcare (branded ImproveMy.Vision), which provides holistic eye-health and wellness guidance outside the regulated optician remit. Revenue mechanics are diversified across NHS sight test fees, private enhanced examination fees, retail sale of premium designer frames (LINDBERG, Barton Perreira, Silhouette, Morel, Prodesign, WOOW, DKNY, Paul Smith) and Nikon prescription lenses, specialized clinical services, hearing care, and online recheck subscriptions.

The customer base is overwhelmingly consumer (B2C), segmented across general Scottish patients, children needing myopia management, patients with visual stress/dyslexia, dry eye sufferers, and hearing care patients. GTM is predominantly direct-to-consumer via in-practice footfall in 8 Scottish locations, with digital channels (website, social, email) supporting appointment booking and an emerging self-serve online vision check funnel. The company cites 10,000+ satisfied patients and a 98% satisfaction score, was previously known as John Lizars Optometrists, and was shortlisted for Optician Awards Technology Practice of the Year in 2018 (Giffnock).

Name

Black & Lizars Optometrists

Legal name

Black & Lizars Ltd

Website

https://blackandlizars.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1830

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Black & Lizars is a Scotland-only, 195-year-old optometry chain operating 8 practices across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Paisley, offering NHS and enhanced eye exams, advanced imaging (OCT, Optomap), myopia management, colorimetry, hearing care, and a home vision-recheck platform serving Scottish consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optometry Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (621320), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Ocular Imaging & Diagnostic Testing Centers (HLAKAKAN)

Keywords

• Optometry services
• Eye examinations
• Retail eyewear
• Hearing care
• Diagnostic imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Eye Examinations: Comprehensive eye examinations including NHS-funded sight tests and enhanced private examinations with advanced diagnostic technology (OCT, Optomap). Enhanced Eye Exams include additional health checks not covered under standard NHS tests.
2. Optical Products: Sale of prescription glasses, frames, and contact lenses. Offers designer frames from LINDBERG, Barton Perreira, Silhouette, Morel, Prodesign, WOOW, DKNY, Paul Smith, and Nikon spectacle lenses.
3. Specialized Services: Additional fee-based services including Colorimetry assessments (£50 overlay, £60 colorimetry), Myopia Management (night lenses, day lenses, DIMS spectacle lenses), Dry Eye Clinic, and Night Lenses (Ortho-K).
4. Hearing Care Services: Comprehensive hearing assessments and solutions including hearing tests, custom-fitted hearing aids, and ongoing support. Available in Edinburgh at Davidson Mains, Glasgow at Milngavie, and Giffnock.
5. ImproveMy.Vision Wellness Services: Sister company Lizars Healthcare provides holistic eye health insights and wellness guidance beyond standard optometry services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Black & Lizars is a multi-site Scottish optometry practice providing NHS and private eye examinations, advanced retinal imaging (OCT and Optomap), specialist clinical services (colorimetry for visual stress, myopia management for children, dry eye clinic, contact lens fitting), designer eyewear retail, and separate in-branch hearing care services. Customers can also complete a remote Online Vision Check powered by IBISVision for prescription verification between visits.

Product overview

Black & Lizars operates as a multi-location optometry practice offering a unified service portfolio centered on eye care examinations and treatments. The core offering comprises NHS Sight Tests and Enhanced Eye Examinations enhanced with advanced diagnostic technologies including Optomap Retinal Imaging and OCT Scanning. These are complemented by specialized services for Colorimetry, Myopia Management, Night Lenses (Ortho-K), Children's Eye Care, Hearing Care Services, and Dry Eye Clinic. The company also provides online vision assessment through its Lite Recheck and Full Recheck platforms powered by IbisVision, and retails designer eyewear including LINDBERG, Barton Perreira, Silhouette, Morel, Prodesign, WOOW, DKNY, and Paul Smith frames. With 8 locations across Scotland, the practice emphasizes technology-enabled care backed by AI-linked imaging databases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ImproveMy.Vision: A holistic eye health and wellness program offered through sister company Lizars Healthcare, providing broader health advice and services beyond traditional optometry.

Products and services

• NHS Sight Tests Government-funded basic eye examinations available to eligible patients across all Black & Lizars branches.
• Enhanced Eye Examination A more comprehensive private eye examination that includes additional diagnostic imaging (OCT 3D retinal scans and Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging) for early detection of eye conditions.
• Colorimetry assessments Overlay assessments to identify visual stress and recommend precision-tinted lenses for patients (including children) experiencing visual stress, dyslexia-related symptoms, or pattern glare.
• Myopia Management Programme Specialist clinical service for slowing progression of myopia in children and young adults, combining orthokeratology night lenses, MiyoSmart soft contact lenses, and MiyoSmart spectacle lenses under clinical supervision.
• Night Lenses (Ortho-K) Custom-fitted orthokeratology contact lenses worn overnight to temporarily reshape the cornea, providing clear daytime vision without glasses or daytime contact lenses and used as part of the myopia management programme.
• Children's Eye Care Eye examinations and ongoing eye-care services tailored to children, including sight tests, myopia management, and colorimetry assessments.
• Hearing Care Services In-branch audiology services including initial hearing assessments, hearing aid fitting, supply, and aftercare, delivered alongside the optical practice offering.
• Online Vision Check IBISVision-powered remote vision testing service. Free Lite Recheck (~5 minutes) for quick prescription verification and a paid Full Recheck with clinician-reviewed outcome and prescription-ready results.
• Designer Eyewear Retail range of designer and branded spectacle frames available in-branch, supported by Eyewear Styling appointments to help customers select frames.
• Dry Eye Clinic Specialist in-practice assessment and treatment service for patients with chronic dry eye symptoms, providing personalised treatment plans and bespoke aftercare.
• Contact Lens Consultations Professional contact lens fitting, aftercare and supply service for patients who prefer contact lenses over spectacles.
• Eyewear Styling appointments In-branch styling consultation to help customers choose frames suited to their face shape, style and prescription requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% patient satisfaction rate
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IBISVisioncoreTechnology or IntegrationIBISVision provides the online vision check platform for Black & Lizars. The platform enables patients to conduct vision rechecks from home via Lite (3-minute mobile) and Full (10-minute desktop) versions. Patients access via unique company code for personalized experience.
• Lizars Healthcare (ImproveMy.Vision)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister company providing holistic eye health insights and wellness guidance beyond standard optometry. Addresses the limitation that opticians as a regulated profession cannot provide general health advice. Offers personalized wellness guidance and collaborative care approach.
• NikoncoreTechnology or IntegrationNikon supplies prescription spectacle lenses for Black & Lizars patients. Nikon lenses are custom-manufactured for each patient using measurements from consultations. Specialized solutions include driving lenses, workplace clarity lenses, digital eye comfort, and reading lenses.
• LINDBERGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDanish eyewear brand available at Black & Lizars. LINDBERG frames combine Scandinavian simplicity with exceptional craftsmanship, offering lightweight, flexible, and customisable options.
• Barton PerreiraminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium eyewear brand available at Black & Lizars. Each Barton Perreira frame is handcrafted with precision, offering both style and durability.
• Optos (Optomap Developer)coreTechnology or IntegrationOptomap retinal imaging technology developed by Optos. The technology captures over 80% of retina in a single image—more than 5x standard NHS coverage. Developed in Scotland by a father whose son lost vision due to missed retinal tear.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Vision Express: Major UK optical retailer with 500+ stores offering eye exams, prescription eyewear, and contact lenses. Comparable multi-site optometry operator with a similar product mix including designer frames and advanced lens technology.
• Optical Express: UK-based optical and refractive surgery provider headquartered in Scotland. Directly comparable as a Scotland-rooted multi-site optical practice competing for eye care patients and offering premium technology-led services.
• Scrivens Opticians: Long-established UK family-owned optician chain with ~170 branches. Comparable multi-site optometry operator with NHS service provision, designer frames, and hearing care — directly overlapping Black & Lizars's service portfolio.
• Specsavers: UK and Ireland's largest optical retail chain with ~900+ stores. Directly comparable multi-site optometry model offering NHS sight tests, enhanced eye exams, frames, and contact lenses, competing head-to-head with Black & Lizars in Scotland and across the UK.
• Leightons Opticians: UK optician chain offering eye exams, designer eyewear, and hearing care across multiple locations. Closely comparable business model combining core optometry with specialty services and hearing care, similar to Black & Lizars's portfolio.
• Duncan and Todd: Scotland-headquartered optical group operating multiple optometry practices across the country. Highly comparable as a Scotland-based regional optometry chain with similar NHS/private mix and designer frame positioning.

Others

• Nikon Optical (Nikon-Essilor): Existing supplier partner of Black & Lizars for prescription spectacle lenses. Adjacent ecosystem participant — frames and lens manufacturers and suppliers shape procurement economics and premium product positioning for the entire optometry retail channel.
• Moorfields Eye Hospital: UK-leading specialist ophthalmology hospital. Not a direct competitor but represents the secondary/tertiary referral pathway for complex cases that Black & Lizars's enhanced diagnostic imaging (OCT, Optomap) screens and routes into specialist care.

Emerging players

• Warby Parker: US-based digitally native eyewear retailer with growing physical store footprint. Relevant as the leading online-first disruptor whose model pressures traditional multi-site opticians' retail frame and lens economics.

Broad incumbents

• Boots Opticians: Optics arm of the large UK pharmacy chain Boots. Offers eye tests, glasses, and contact lenses within a broader health and beauty retail footprint, competing for the same NHS and private-pay optometry demand in Scotland.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/BlackAndLizars
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackandlizars
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/black-&-lizars-ltd
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackandlizars

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Black & Lizars Optometrists