Dolphins Optometrists

What Dolphins Optometrists does

Dolphins Optometrists is an independent optometry practice operating from a single site at 33 Muster Green, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, United Kingdom, with a team of 6. The practice is positioned as a premium alternative to high-street opticians, built around advanced diagnostic and treatment technology that is uncommon in standard optometry settings. Core technology includes the Rodenstock DNEye Scanner for biometric eye measurement (capturing thousands of data points to optimize over 7,000 spectacle lens points), Optos Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging (200° coverage, 80-megapixel resolution), Zeiss OCT cross-sectional retinal imaging, and a Medmont E300 corneal topographer.

The service portfolio spans comprehensive eye examinations (appointments lasting nearly two hours), specialist dry eye and ocular surface disease treatment (TEAR clinic with BlephEx, IPL, and ZEST), Valeda Light Delivery System photobiomodulation for Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, and myopia management via orthokeratology overnight lenses and Menicon contact lenses. Retail revenues come from prescription eyewear (curated designer and independent frame brands including Lindberg, Maui Jim, Chopard, Calvin Klein, and others) and bespoke contact lens fitting. A monthly subscription care plan (~£8/month) provides free eye examinations and a 10% purchase discount, creating a recurring revenue layer atop a predominantly transactional model.

Revenue is generated through direct-to-consumer payments at a single physical location, with patients booking via phone, email, or online form. Pricing is positioned above high-street norms and is justified by advanced technology, longer appointment times, and specialist clinician expertise (Director Umesh Patel, Dispensing Optician Julian Silburn, Dry Eye specialists Mandy Davidson and Ann Forbes). All sales and treatments are delivered in-person; there is no e-commerce storefront or third-party distribution. The practice is privately held with no disclosed external funding, parent company, or acquisition activity.

Name

Dolphins Optometrists

Legal name

Dolphins Optometrists

Website

https://dolphinsoptometrists.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Dolphins Optometrists is an independent, premium optometry practice in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, offering advanced biometric eye examinations, specialist dry eye and AMD clinics, myopia management, and designer eyewear to individual patients and families across the regional catchment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Optometry Services

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Optical Goods Retailers (45613)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Comprehensive Eye Exams & Vision Care (HLAKAKAA), Refractive Diagnostics & Biometry (Autorefractors, Keratometers, Topography/Tomography, A-Scan/Optical Biometry) (HLAHAJAA), Contact Lenses & Care Systems (Soft/RGP/Scleral Lenses; Cleaning/Disinfection Solutions) (HLAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Optometry services
• Eye examinations
• Dry eye treatment
• Myopia management
• Contact lens fitting

Headquarters

HQ city

Haywards Heath

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Comprehensive Eye Examinations: Advanced biometric and standard eye examinations using Rodenstock DNEye Scanner and other diagnostic technology. Longer appointment times with deeper insights and personalized vision correction.
2. Eyewear Sales (Glasses and Frames): Sale of prescription glasses, designer frames, and sunglasses. Curated collection including independent and designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Chopard, DKNY, Hackett, Lindberg, Maui Jim, Silhouette, Lafont, ProDesign, Tomato Glasses, and Stepper.
3. Contact Lens Sales and Fitting: Bespoke contact lens assessment, fitting, and supply including specialty lenses such as Menicon for myopia control and orthokeratology overnight lenses.
4. Specialist Treatment Services: Premium specialist services including Dry Eye Clinic (£110 initial, £60 follow-up), BlephEx treatment (£60), Valeda Light Delivery System for AMD (£1500 per cycle plus consultation), and orthokeratology.
5. Care Plans/Subscription Model: Monthly subscription care plans offering clinical support and discounts. Review mentioned subscription plan at £8/month providing free eye examination and 10% off purchases. Tailored care packages for consistent, high-quality ongoing eye care.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dolphins Optometrists is an independent optometry practice delivering premium eye examinations, contact lens fitting, and designer eyewear alongside specialist clinical services including a dry eye (TEAR) clinic, Dry AMD photobiomodulation treatment (Valeda VLDS), and myopia management through orthokeratology and Menicon lenses. Core diagnostics rely on the Rodenstock DNEye biometric scanner, Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging, and Zeiss OCT, with longer appointments than high street chains to support more precise vision correction and earlier detection of eye disease.

Product overview

Dolphins Optometrists is an independent optometry practice offering a comprehensive range of eye care services built around advanced diagnostic technology. The core offering combines biometric eye examinations using the Rodenstock DNEye Scanner with specialized clinics including the TEAR/Dry Eye Clinic, AMD treatment via the Valeda Light Delivery System, and myopia management through orthokeratology and Menicon lenses. Retail products include prescription glasses, frames from designer brands, contact lenses, and sports sunglasses. The practice differentiates through advanced imaging technology (Optos ultra-widefield retinal imaging) and specialist treatments including BlephEx, ZEST, and IPL therapy. Care Plans provide a subscription model for ongoing eye care.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advanced Eye Examinations Comprehensive eye examination service analysing thousands of biometric data points via the Rodenstock DNEye Scanner, delivering personalised prescriptions and early detection of eye conditions for individual patients.
• Contact Lens Fitting and Supply Bespoke contact lens assessment, fitting, and supply covering simple to complex prescriptions, with specialty options including Menicon lenses and orthokeratology overnight lenses.
• Designer and Independent Eyewear (Glasses and Sunglasses) Retail sale of prescription glasses, designer frames, and sunglasses, with frame selection supported by advanced biometric measurement for precise fit.
• Dry Eye (TEAR) Clinic Specialist dry eye assessment and treatment service offering BlephEx eyelid cleansing, IPL, ZEST therapy, and personalised treatment plans for dry eye syndrome and blepharitis.
• Valeda Light Delivery System (VLDS) for Dry AMD Photobiomodulation treatment using LED light wavelengths to slow the progression of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration, delivered in 9-session cycles repeated three times yearly.
• Orthokeratology (Overnight Lenses) Non-surgical myopia correction service using overnight ortho-k contact lenses that gently reshape the cornea to provide clear daytime vision without glasses or contact lenses.
• Menicon Myopia Management Contact Lenses Specialty Menicon contact lenses designed to treat and control myopia progression in children and adults.
• Optomap Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging Ultra-widefield retinal imaging service using Optos technology for early detection and monitoring of retinal and systemic eye conditions.
• Children's Eye Tests Paediatric eye examinations and myopia monitoring delivered in a child-friendly environment, with access to specialist frames for children.
• ZEST Eye Treatment Gentle, highly effective Zocular eyelid system treatment for dry eye syndrome and blepharitis, delivered within the TEAR clinic.
• Care Plans (Monthly Subscription) Monthly subscription care plan bundling a free eye examination and 10% discount on purchases, supporting consistent ongoing eye care.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 70% of Valeda VLDS patients gained and maintained 1 line of visual improvement in clinical studies over 2 years
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• No7 Contact LensescoreTechnology or IntegrationUK-based contact lens laboratory that designs and manufactures custom orthokeratology lenses to exact specifications for Dolphins Optometrists' myopia management patients. Partnership enables delivery of personalized overnight lens therapy for nearsightedness correction and control.
• RodenstockcoreTechnology or IntegrationGerman precision optics company providing DNEye Scanner biometric eye measurement technology. Rodenstock has introduced AI technology for precision lens calculations, enabling Dolphins to scan retinas in unprecedented detail and prescribe optimal lenses. Partnership provides the core technology differentiating their eye examinations.
• OptoscoreTechnology or IntegrationScottish medical technology company providing the Optomap ultra-widefield retinal imaging system. Optos technology captures up to 200 degrees of the retina in a single 80-megapixel image, providing significantly more coverage than traditional retinal cameras. Critical for early detection of retinal conditions.
• Lumithera (Alcon)coreTechnology or IntegrationMedical device company providing the Valeda Light Delivery System (VLDS) for photobiomodulation treatment of Dry Age-Related Macular Degeneration. Valeda uses LED light wavelengths to target eye cells and slow degenerative processes. First treatment available for Dry AMD.
• Espansione GroupsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationMedical equipment company providing IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology for dry eye treatment at Dolphins' TEAR clinic. IPL treatment offered as part of comprehensive dry eye management alongside BlephEx and ZEST.
• MedmontcoreTechnology or IntegrationAustralian medical equipment company providing the Medmont E300 Corneal Topographer used for precision mapping of eye shape in orthokeratology. Ensures custom ortho-k lenses fit precisely and comfortably for effective myopia correction.
• MeniconsecondaryTechnology or IntegrationJapanese contact lens manufacturer providing Menicon specialty contact lenses specifically designed to treat and control nearsightedness/myopia. Revolutionary lenses offer proactive approach to controlling myopia for children and adults.
• ZeisscoreTechnology or IntegrationGerman optics company providing Zeiss OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) retinal imaging machine. One of the most advanced OCT systems on the market, providing clear cross-sectional images of the retina for detailed assessment of eye health.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Specsavers: The UK's largest opticians chain with thousands of stores, providing high street eye examinations, eyewear, and contact lenses. Dolphins is positioned directly against Specsavers' mass-market offering, but as a premium alternative with longer appointments and advanced biometric technology.
• Black & Lizars: Independent Scottish optometrist offering comprehensive eye examinations, specialist services, and designer eyewear across multiple practices. Comparable independent model with similar premium positioning.
• Cameron Optometry: Award-winning independent optometry practice in Edinburgh offering advanced eye examinations, specialist clinics (dry eye, myopia management), and premium eyewear. Closely aligned with Dolphins' positioning as a premium independent clinical optometry practice.
• Vision Express: Major UK optical retailer offering eye tests, prescription glasses, sunglasses, and contact lenses across hundreds of stores. Competes with Dolphins for the same patient eye care spend but at more standardized price points.
• Bayfields Opticians: UK independent optometry group with multiple practices focused on personalized eye care, premium eyewear, and advanced clinical services. Closely comparable to Dolphins in positioning as an independent, technology-forward alternative to chains.
• David Clulow Opticians: UK premium optician chain known for designer eyewear and professional eye examinations. Competes for the same premium eyewear customer as Dolphins with a multi-site retail footprint.
• Scrivens Opticians: UK family-owned optical chain operating more than 160 branches, providing NHS and private eye examinations, hearing care, and eyewear. A comparable independent heritage chain competing for similar high-street optometry demand.
• Leightons Opticians: UK independent optical group with multiple practices offering clinical eye care, hearing services, and designer eyewear. Comparable as an independent multi-site optometry brand with premium positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Optical Express: UK and international optical chain offering eye examinations, glasses, contact lenses, and refractive surgery (LASIK). Comparable in offering premium and clinical eye care, but differentiated by its surgical focus.
• Boots Opticians: Opticians service offered within Boots' wider pharmacy and health retail footprint across the UK. Competes for primary eye care and eyewear purchases but as part of a much broader health and beauty retailer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dolphins-optometrists

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Dolphins Optometrists