Eric Bloomfield today drew the shutters on almost 50 years of looking into other people's eyes.
The Masterton optometrist is retiring to pursue the other great loves of his life, particularly opera, happy in the knowledge he has helped many, many people to retain and improve their sight.
Bloomfield and Partners has
been sold to Vision Specialists and Eric is pleased with that result for more than one reason.
Firstly clients who have been with him for years - if not decades - will be catered for and secondly Ross Tayler, optometrist with Vision Specialists, used to work for him as a locum. "I know the patients will be in good hands."
Eric came to Masterton from Wellington in 1960 as a fully qualified optometrist, or optician as those in the profession were then called.
For half a century he has cared for the eyes of Wairarapa people and said he has never regretted his choice of job, or the location of his business for a single minute.
"It's been a job with many challenges and I have got to know many fabulous people who have put their trust in me to look after their eyes."
Over the years Eric has seen not only vast changes in the technology and information available to optometrists but also a huge shift in public awareness of good eye care.
Even so, he said there is no room for complacency when it comes to looking after precious eyesight.
"Everyone, especially those over 40, should have regular eye examinations so that any eye problems can be readily detected and cut off at the pass.
"People shouldn't be content just to use hobby glasses and think they have taken care of everything by doing so."
Optometry, he said, is not simply doling out spectacles to people who need them.
It is a profession that involves all aspects of visual health, problem solving and collaboration with eye surgeons and other specialists.
Masterton clients and those from other Wairarapa towns have kept him constantly busy, so much so Eric said one of the things he will have to come to grips with on retirement is not breaking his day up into half-hour segments.
He and wife Pamela are looking forward to taking a more active interest in the arts as they particularly love music and opera.
"One year we took in 17 operas on a trip to Europe and Australia which is getting a bit carried away but I would love to pack in another year like that."
