Our History

Welcome to Stephen H Davis Optometrists!

I’m Vishal Thanki, proud to lead this esteemed practice that has been a cornerstone of Stoke Newington since 1945. Founded by Mr. Patrick Fitzgerald and elevated by Stephen Davis in 1974, we’ve continuously evolved to offer personalized, high-quality eye care. Frustrated by the impersonal standards of chain stores, I’ve redefined our approach to eye exams, ensuring detailed, personalized tests that prioritize your comfort and care. Since 2014, my goal has been to deliver the highest level of customer service, making each visit enjoyable and enriching.

As a strong myope, I understand the significance of eyewear from a young age. Inspired by my own transformative experience with glasses, I’ve curated a diverse selection ranging from sophisticated to quirky styles. Our practice combines decades of optical expertise with a passion for unique eyewear. We regularly travel to international trade shows in Paris and Munich to handpick the most captivating eyewear pieces, ensuring you find frames that not only look exceptional but also fit seamlessly into your lifestyle.

With nearly 25 years in optics, starting as a dispensing optician and specializing in contact lenses and optometry, I have a particular passion for fitting contact lenses and addressing conditions like dry eyes. In recent years, my focus has been on correcting childhood myopia, ensuring comprehensive care for young patients.

At Stephen H Davis Optometrists, every patient is part of our family, a tradition upheld for over 75 years. Experience our blend of tradition and cutting-edge technology—where personalized care meets exceptional eyewear selection.

Why Choosing Us

Personalized Care

Benefit from over 75 years of dedicated service to the Stoke Newington community, where personalized, detailed eye exams ensure your comfort and well-being. Our practice blends tradition with cutting-edge technology under the leadership of Vishal Thanki since 2014.

Unique Eyewear Selection

Explore a curated collection of eyewear that transcends the ordinary. From sophisticated to quirky styles, handpicked from international trade shows in Paris and Munich, our frames not only enhance your vision but also reflect your individuality and lifestyle.

Comprehensive Eye Health

With nearly 25 years of expertise in optics, including specialization in contact lenses, optometry, and childhood myopia correction, we are dedicated to your eye health. Receive thorough eye exams and personalized treatment plans tailored to your unique needs, ensuring optimal vision care for every patient.

Our Teams

Vishal Thanki

Bsc (Hons) McOptom FBDO CL

With over 20 years experience, Vishal is our Resident Optometrist. He undertook his professional training in the community and hospital practice. He specialises in contact lens fitting and dry eye. Vishal has undertaken further training in glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and acute eye diseases.Vishal understands the importance of taking the time to listen to the concerns of patients and ensuring that they are fully addressed during the consultation.

Bhavik Acharya

Bsc (Hons) McOptom MASv.P

Bhavik Acharya completed his university training at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Bhavik has been in the community care for over 10 years. During that time he has developed a keen passion for children’s eye care and now is a regional School Vision practitioner. He specialises in reading and behavioural difficulties and has training in muscle control, colour overlays and colorimetry.

Duong Huynh

Brought up in Stoke Newington, Duong has been with the Practice since 2011. He has a real hands on approach and is technically minded which means that any spectacle repair is possible. Duong is always on hand to advise you of your choices and make sure you leave the practice happy with your experience.

Lauren Murnane

Lauren has been working in optics for more than five years. She has a warm smile and an enthusiastic welcome when you arrive in the practice. Lauren will help you choose glasses based on your preferences and attends to every need of the patient in any way she can. She is all about choosing frames for you that are fun, quirky and with hints of colour, but still work for everyday wear.

What our clients say about us

Anne-Marie
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A friendly, unhurried and professional service at Stephen H Davis. I had a reassuring eye test and was offered a range of choices based on my prescription. My new varifocals have made a real difference and it was good to know that I could return within the first month if they really didn’t suit my needs. I would highly recommend this optometrist, for excellent customer care. I much prefer to come here rather than a showy, trendier opticians to be honest.
G
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I was recommended Stephen H Davis as being particularly good for children, and this is definitely the case. My child has needed glasses since he was a toddler and has received a great service here for a number of years. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the optician is kind, communicative and extremely thorough. My child also enjoys coming here as he is fascinated by the equipment - his questions are always answered with much patience and good humour
Juliana
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I recently visited this optometrist for a contact lense check. Everything was exeptional. The appointments started on time, the optometrist was highly knowledgable and skilled, the care was patient-focused and comprehensive. I left with a much better understanding of how to pro-actively protect my eye health, with a much improved set of lenses, and with an economical lense subscription that includes yearly check-ups. I highly recommend this place!
William
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Absolutely excellent. The screw had come out on one of the arms of my glasses, and they fitted/replaced it free of charge, on the spot. Can not recommend them enough, will definitely go there for my next eye-test glasses/update.
Fozlur
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After having issues with my eyes and not getting anywhere with the GP I decided to go to Stephen H Davis Optometrist as they were local. Very pleasant experience and thorough eye test. All staff were welcoming and no pushy sales tactics. Would recommend a local business like them any day over a big brand optician's.
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Anne-Marie

A friendly, unhurried and professional service at Stephen H Davis. I had a reassuring eye test and was offered a range of choices based on my prescription. My new varifocals have made a real difference and it was good to know that I could return within the first month if they really didn’t suit my needs.
I would highly recommend this optometrist, for excellent customer care. I much prefer to come here rather than a showy, trendier opticians to be honest.

G

I was recommended Stephen H Davis as being particularly good for children, and this is definitely the case. My child has needed glasses since he was a toddler and has received a great service here for a number of years. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the optician is kind, communicative and extremely thorough. My child also enjoys coming here as he is fascinated by the equipment - his questions are always answered with much patience and good humour

Juliana

I recently visited this optometrist for a contact lense check. Everything was exeptional. The appointments started on time, the optometrist was highly knowledgable and skilled, the care was patient-focused and comprehensive. I left with a much better understanding of how to pro-actively protect my eye health, with a much improved set of lenses, and with an economical lense subscription that includes yearly check-ups. I highly recommend this place!

William

Absolutely excellent. The screw had come out on one of the arms of my glasses, and they fitted/replaced it free of charge, on the spot. Can not recommend them enough, will definitely go there for my next eye-test glasses/update.

Fozlur

After having issues with my eyes and not getting anywhere with the GP I decided to go to Stephen H Davis Optometrist as they were local. Very pleasant experience and thorough eye test. All staff were welcoming and no pushy sales tactics. Would recommend a local business like them any day over a big brand optician's.