Burton upon Trent & Swadlincote
Exceptional eye care, styled around you.
Independent opticians combining thorough clinical care with hand-picked designer eyewear — trusted by generations of local families for over 50 years.
Since 1972
50
Years of trusted, personal eyecare in Burton & Swadlincote.
The Collection
- Chloé
- Saint Laurent
- Tag Heuer
- Tom Ford
- Fendi
- Gucci
- Dior
50+Years serving Burton & Swadlincote
2Practices, Burton & Swadlincote
100%Independent, not part of a chain
1972The year we opened our doors
Why Prince & Bates
5 reasons families keep coming back
From your first eye test to your fiftieth pair of glasses, here's what generations of patients in Burton and Swadlincote have come to rely on.
01
Independent & community-focused
Not tied to a high-street chain — every recommendation is about what's right for you, not a sales target.
02
Unique eyewear brands
Hand-picked frames from designers who care about craftsmanship — styles you won't find on the high street.
03
Experts in eyewear styling
Our Dispensing Opticians select frames to suit your face shape, lifestyle and personality — not just your prescription.
04
Thorough eye examinations
Premium equipment and unhurried appointments to monitor your vision and catch potential issues early.
05
50 years of expertise
Trusted in Burton & Swadlincote since 1972 — many of our patients are now bringing in their grandchildren.
Designer & Independent Eyewear
Hand-picked for quality, comfort and style
As an independent optician, we're free to stock only the brands we truly believe in — from exclusive independent designers to iconic fashion houses.
Independent & Niche
Face à Face — Etto2
Bold, sculptural designs inspired by modern art — for those ready to wear artistic, daring eyewear with confidence.
Independent & Niche
After — AE130
Warm tortoiseshell acetate with a considered, understated shape — quiet craftsmanship over logos.
Designer Fashion
Saint Laurent — SL708
European elegance meets bold, minimalist design for a look that's effortlessly sophisticated.
Designer Fashion
Paul Smith — Perrivale
Distinctly British eccentricity with real craft underneath — colour and detail where you least expect it.
"They're not just glasses — they complete your style."
Just In
Fresh into the practice this month
In the showroom
Chloé, freshly out on display.
Chloé — CH03725
Fine gold wire and a soft tint — jewellery as much as eyewear.
Paul Smith — Newham
Soft tortoise with a flash of colour on the inside temple.
Also in the collection
Dior
Tom Ford
Dutz
Johann von Goisern
WooW
Fendi
Tag Heuer
Montblanc
Oakley
Ray-Ban
Services
Care built around your eyes, not a checklist
Every visit starts with time to actually listen — here's what we offer across both practices.
Book an Appointment
A few quick steps, that's it
Tell us a little about what you need and we'll get you booked in at whichever practice suits you best.
01Patient
02Practice
03Reason
04Time
05Details
Have you visited us before?
Which practice suits you?
What's the appointment for?
Pick a day and time
Your details
Request ready to send
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Urgent Eyecare — CUES
Sudden eye problem? You may not need to wait for A&E.
CUES — the Community Urgent Eyecare Service — is an NHS-funded service that gets patients with sudden eye problems seen quickly by a local optometrist, instead of waiting in a hospital eye unit or A&E. For most urgent eye problems, a trained optometrist has the right equipment and expertise to assess and treat you faster than a general A&E department can.
What it can help with
- A red, sore, painful or sticky eye that's come on recently
- Something in the eye (a foreign body)
- A sudden change or loss of vision
- New flashes of light or floaters
- Light sensitivity alongside eye pain
Fully funded by the NHS — there's no charge to the patient.
What to expect
Your appointment may start as a phone or video call, though a face-to-face exam is often needed too. Most appointments take 20–40 minutes — a little longer if you need an OCT scan or dilation drops.
Bring any glasses or contacts you wear, a list of your medications, and your GP's details if you know them. If dilation drops are likely, arrange a lift home — you won't be able to drive for a few hours afterwards.
What's the main problem?
If you have any of these, don't wait
Call 999 or go straight to A&E.
Prefer to talk it through? Call your nearest practice directly.
Our Story
Where expert eye care meets personal style
1972
Today
"We believe great vision and great style go hand in hand."
For over 50 years, Prince & Bates has cared for the eyes — and the style — of Burton upon Trent. As an independent optician, we've built our reputation on combining clinical expertise with a genuine passion for beautiful, well-fitting eyewear.
Because we're independent, we handpick every brand and frame ourselves. Generations of families across Burton and Swadlincote have trusted us for our honesty and our warm, personal approach — many now bring their children and grandchildren to us too.
Patient Look Book
Real patients, real style
Patient reviews
Don't take our word for it
4.7
Every review helps another local family find an optician they can trust — and it means the world to our teams in Burton and Swadlincote. It takes about thirty seconds.
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Follow Along
Our Social Media
New arrivals, styling moments and behind-the-scenes from both practices.
princeandbates
Independent Opticians with a passion for eyewear that makes you look great and feel even better.
212followers
75following
Prince & Bates Opticians
Photos, offers & updates from our Facebook Page.
Events
Open days, offers & brand showcases
Concept preview
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