In April 1981 A J Pitman Optician opened it's doors in upstairs consulting rooms in Corn Street, Witney. Unlike today we were not allowed to advertise apart from a small box notice in the local paper!It is hard to image the difference between then and now - no prices in the window, no advertising, no two for one or special offers, but you did have free sight tests for all through the NHS. You used to have what was termed " NHS lenses" these were small diameter lenses which were free to everyone who need correction, so people would buy small frames that would fit these lenses and most people of a certain age will remember the standard NHS frames.

Over the years we moved from our upstairs premises to ground floor premises in Corn Street,where Andrews and partners is now, and eventually to our present premises at 51 Market Square and on becoming incorprated amended our name to Pitman Optometrists Ltd.
The free NHS sight test for everyone disappeared in 1983 about the same time opticians began to challenge the laws on advertising.We still have rules regarding what an optician can say about themselves. The "Free NHS" is still available to under 19's in full time education and and over 60's, and those on low income and certain medical conditions are also covered . In fact something like 70% of the population is entitled to a "free sight test" and in addition many employers pay for their employees two yearly check ups. It is worth noting that a sight test is considerably cheaper than an MOT!

How will optics change over the next 30 years? More will children wear contact lenses at an earlier age, it's already happening! Contact lenses that dispense drugs, contact lenses that you can read your twitters on, optical lenses that change as your prescription changes.High technology computer designed indevidual spectacle lenses and many other things we haven't even thought about!