The Spectacular team

Mr Stuart Gibbs is the Managing Director and founder of Spectacular Opticians. He graduated from the City University in London in 1985. Stuart gained a wide-ranging experience in the management of both routine and more complicated refractive problems and developed a specialist interest in the fitting and management of all types of contact lens. In 1989, he took the decision to set up the first branch of Spectacular Opticians in March, Cambridgeshire. Under his guiding hand, the business now stands at seven very successful and highly regarded practices. Most of Stuart’s time is still spent practicing optometry and providing the very best of care to all of his clients, drawing on his extensive experience and specialist knowledge. Stuart takes a keen interest in the latest advances in lens and examination technology for both spectacle and contact lens wearers. This ensures that all clients of Spectacular have access to the most up-to date advances in eye care and sight correction.

Gareth is a Senior Director, Optometrist and Head of Operations at Spectacular Opticians. He graduated with an honours degree in Optometry and a Bachelor of Science degree from Aston University in Birmingham in 1998. Following his graduation, he gained further professional experience with a prestigious attachment to some of the most respected optometric practices in the Birmingham and Coventry area. In addition, he also secured a research attachment at the eye department at Warwick Hospital, producing an extended dissertation on the interpretation and assessment of glaucoma using the latest advances in scanning laser technology. His keen interest and extended knowledge in the field of glaucoma continues to this day. Joining the family firm of Spectacular Opticians in 1999, he brought with him a broad knowledge of all areas of optometry, including specialist skills in the fitting of all forms of contact lenses, especially the area of myopia control in children and the study of colour overlays and their application to the management of both migraine and dyslexia. He maintains a particular interest in the field of pathology in the human eye, including diabetes and cataract formation and has acquired additional qualifications in medical schemes such as the MEC scheme in Cambridgeshire and the Opsi scheme in Suffolk.

Jake is a fully qualified Optometrist and proud member of the family team at Spectacular. After earning his Optometry degree at Cardiff University, he gained experience in South Wales before joining the family business at the start of 2024 with a passion for continuing its long-standing tradition of personalised, high quality eye care.

Helen joined the optometric team at Spectacular Opticians in 2012.

She  graduated with an honours degree as a Bachelor of Science from Cardiff University in 2000, completing her professional exams with the College of Optometrists in 2001.  She began her career in Yorkshire where she had the opportunity to spend time furthering her training at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital with an Ophthalmology specialist in Oncology, a field in which she has a keen interest.

Helen has over 20 years of experience in private practice performing comprehensive  eye examinations, fitting contact lenses and screening for eye disease such as cataracts and diabetic retinopathy.  On top of undertaking regular further education training in line with the GOC, she has travelled to India and Sri Lanka with the Association of Optometrists, visiting their eye departments, practices, and universities to gain an insight into how eyecare is developing in other parts of the world.

Her years in practice have provided Helen with a wealth of experience in provision of excellent patient care, and in advising clients on some of the most advanced forms of optical correction.

John joined Spectacular in 2013 as part of the optometric team, after 10 years in private practice and working in the domiciliary care environment.

Having graduated from the University of Ulster in 2003 with honours, John then underwent further training at Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Cambridgeshire.  He has travelled to both Africa and India several times over the last 15 years with both charitable organisation Vision Aid Overseas, and the Association of Optometrists.  He has performed hundreds of examinations on people in developing countries with no access to eye care, as well as being instrumental in the opening of 2 vision centres in Zambia, thus allowing the people there to make their own glasses for the very first time.

John has a keen interest in the field of low vision and regularly assists those for whom perfect eyesight is no longer possible, including being able to access some the most advanced aids on the market.  He is also an accredited member of the Association of Sport Vision Practitioners.  This specialised training enables him to provide tailored prescription and dispensing advice in this increasingly popular field, whether that be specific binocular vision correction, contrast enhancement, or safety protection.

Alongside seeing NHS and private patients for all eye care needs, David has a keen interest in contact lenses, dry eye syndrome and ocular pathology.

David studied for his Masters in Optometry at Aston University and graduated in 2015.
In his studies he won several prizes awards in Binocular vision, Contact lenses and Dispensing. He brings a wealth of optical knowledge having worked previously as a Dispensing Optician and Lab technician since 2004.

Lee is an experienced Optometrist with a wealth of experience gained over 3 decades of practice.

Lee graduated from City University in London in the 1990s, rated in the top 10 departments for Optometry in the UK.

After working in Bermondsey for several years, Lee became a self-employed locum enabling him to learn from the very best practices across London, the South-East and later East Anglia. He also worked as a private consultant in domiciliary care, providing the personalised service that he values to patients in their own homes.

Experienced in all aspects of optometry, Lee is accredited to perform pre- and post-cataract consultations for various hospitals. He also specialises in myopia control and is interested in Myopia Control contact lenses for children.

Lee enjoys the day-to-day environment of working with a good team at Spectacular Opticians.

Salvatore Mazzuca, a highly qualified Audiologist with over 10 years of private sector experience in both Italy and the UK.

Founder of Precision Hearing in Histon, Salvatore shares our commitment to delivering outstanding, personalised care built on trust and clinical excellence. He is truly dedicated to raising awareness of the impact hearing health has on everyday life.

Salvatore combines the latest advances in hearing technology with a caring, patient-first approach, offering tailored solutions that restore confidence and improve quality of life. Believing in long-term support, he provides regular aftercare and adapts treatment plans as patients’ needs evolve.

Salvatore will be delivering hearing care services across all seven Spectacular Opticians branches.