Chalmers offers the OPTOMAP as an important part of your eye exams. The Optomap produces an image that is unique and provides us with a high-resolution 200 degree image in order to ascertain the health of your retina. This is much wider than a traditional 45 degree image. We have a reputation in Cardiff for stocking a huge range of frames and having specialist staff who can help you find the perfect frame for you. Our Opticians can help you through the process of choosing the correct lenses for you.
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Chalmers Opticians are a large independent practice based in Cardiff and has been in existence for over 60 years. As a family concern, Ian Chalmers joined in 1980 and developed Chalmers Opticians into one of the leading optical practices in South Wales for development of new technology and personal eye care.
Don't worry about supplying us with the prescription of your contact lenses. If you're an existing customer we will be able to check it for you and if there are any queries, we will let you know. If you are paying for supply via our Eyeplan scheme then nothing else is be needed. If you are not on Eyeplan then we will contact you to advise of cost and can take payment by telephone for you then.
There are so many different types of contact lenses now available on the market. It is not so much as which is the best available as more that which is best suited to your eyes and how you want to wear them. Don't worry about supplying us with the prescription of your contact lenses. If you're an existing customer we will be able to check it for you and if there are any queries, we will let you know.
We offer a wide selection of frames in the practice. These can be from the main designer brands such as PRADA, GUCCI, TOM FORD, PERSOL, OAKLEY and many more-to the more exclusive brands of PORSCHE DESIGN, ALAIN MIKLI, PHILLIP STARCK, LINDBERG, TOM DAVIES and FACE A FACE. Current trends of style are very classic and 'vintage' in look and are represented by OLIVER PEOPLES, ETNIA BARCELONA and WOODYS BARCELONA.
Reviews (13)
B. R.
Apr 05, 2022
Liz Kidd
Mar 20, 2022
Alethea Silk
Mar 19, 2022
A. Mah
Oct 24, 2021
Jack F.
Sep 04, 2021
Eyetest was great. They managed to fit me in the same day and everyone was really nice. Unfortunately after that it turned into a nightmare. The frames I liked weren't in stock. I was told they could order them in but advised it might be better if I ordered them myself online for returns purposes. Ordered them, arrived the next day and dropped them off so the lenses could be fitted.
A week later my glasses are ready, everythings great, gentleman takes them away to adjust (I never asked for this.) Comes back a while later, hes snapped one of the temples. Orders replacement frames which were ready two weeks later. Had to find this out myself by repeatedly calling. I dropped off the original frames & paid for higher index lenses three weeks ago at this point.
No compensation, told I should have bought the frames from them, its at my own risk if I order online and bring them to them (was never told this) and I should be grateful they replaced the frames for me.
A week later my glasses are ready, everythings great, gentleman takes them away to adjust (I never asked for this.) Comes back a while later, hes snapped one of the temples. Orders replacement frames which were ready two weeks later. Had to find this out myself by repeatedly calling. I dropped off the original frames & paid for higher index lenses three weeks ago at this point.
No compensation, told I should have bought the frames from them, its at my own risk if I order online and bring them to them (was never told this) and I should be grateful they replaced the frames for me.
William Jenkins
Sep 29, 2019
Thorough eye examination and always a personal service. Years ago I bought a a pair of glasses and accidentally broke them in work. When I took them back to buy a replacement they swapped them free of charge because in their opinion they shouldn't have broke. That is customer service. Just been back to buy some new glasses and both pairs were ready for collection in under 24 hours. Really pleased.
Yanto Morgan
May 11, 2019
Had a blocked ear and decided to visit Chalmers to sort it out. Met Imogen Morgan who is a Hearing Aid audiologist and she carried out a thorough examination of my ears (with a lot more specialist equipment than your normal high street). She sorted out my problem and my hearing is back to normal. Many thanks and well recommended.
Chaos Theory
Jan 01, 2019
My family and I have been loyal customers to this practice since the 90s and we have seen a rollercoaster of changes take place here. It seems as if Chalmers now employ newly qualified staff and let them 'have at it' with their customers, whereas before the owners themselves would do the tests and offer a very customer focused personalised service.
After a recent eye examination where I paid 30, I enquired about confirming my pupil distance and was advised that this information would be provided at an additional charge of 9. This should have formed part of my spectacle prescription information. This information has been provided to me without charge at every other opticians with the exception of Chalmers. Suffice to say, this is underhanded, scandalous behaviour and a result of this we as a family have registered elsewhere.
Small businesses don't leave the high streets, except when they're utilising underhanded business practices and parade as wolves, masquerading as sheep. The clock is ticking for small businesses like this one that salute lackadaisically to the notion of pinching customers for every buck - it's about time we stopped treating them with such veneration and assist them by packing their bags which don't carry our money.
After a recent eye examination where I paid 30, I enquired about confirming my pupil distance and was advised that this information would be provided at an additional charge of 9. This should have formed part of my spectacle prescription information. This information has been provided to me without charge at every other opticians with the exception of Chalmers. Suffice to say, this is underhanded, scandalous behaviour and a result of this we as a family have registered elsewhere.
Small businesses don't leave the high streets, except when they're utilising underhanded business practices and parade as wolves, masquerading as sheep. The clock is ticking for small businesses like this one that salute lackadaisically to the notion of pinching customers for every buck - it's about time we stopped treating them with such veneration and assist them by packing their bags which don't carry our money.
Dawn Edwards
Sep 30, 2018
Well had a text your contact lences are ready 15th feb then another text your glasses are ready pay day 28th happy days here i go walk into shop ive come to pick up my glasses lady comes down stairs with posh bag opens posh glass case hmmmmm they are not mine she replies ahhhhh thats where the mis hap happenend bear in mind these glasses were ready on the 15th its now the 28th i have some one elses frames with my precription glasses and she says ohhhh this customer had your frames with their prescription glasses not ourrrrr fault yeesssss it is obviously malll adminastration big time nottttt happy is a under statement they knew it was a boo boo by the customer who had my frames weeeks ago so why was nt it sorted before i picked up mine nil communication amongst stafffff big time not happppppy
Coco W.
Jul 12, 2017
I had my nose rim snapped. Went to 2 big brand company, said can not fix it. I googled and give it a try at Chalmers Opticians. The Elder lady was very nice, she say she will try it, if not will send back free. I didn't want to spend fortune to have a new one. Luckily they fixed for a very reasonable price.15 pounds. Highly recommended!
Naseem Hussain
Jul 20, 2016
Denis Y.
Jul 11, 2015
B. H.
Jan 27, 2014
Phoned on three occasions about replacing a broken lens on my Ray-ban sunglasses. After giving the model number and size I was told that they could indeed replace the lens. After a long, hot car journey I left them at the shop only to be phoned ten minuets later to say that they did not have the correct size. I specifically gave them the size over the phone so that I would not have to make a long and pointless journey. Very poor