The family-owned business of Lewis & McConnell has a long history in providing optometry services to the Mount Waverley community.
In 1963 Ivor Lewis began practicing optometry in Stephensons Road. His son Peter joined the practice and in 1996, relocated the business to its current location in Mount Waverley Village.
Wearing contact lenses as a teenager sparked Stewart McConnell’s ambition to become an optometrist and in 1997, Stewart began working with Peter Lewis. He became a partner in the business in 2002 and took over the practice as the sole owner in 2015. He has a keen interest in paediatric vision as well as the vision development of children.
Stewart’s regular patients have been coming to the practice for over 25 years, and when the first case of COVID-19 was announced in Glen Waverley, he was concerned for the welfare of his clientele. He immediately began infection control and while the practice is still able to operate within the guidelines outlined by the Victorian Government, Stewart has noticed that people are postponing their visits which is putting their eye health at risk.
"I hope they are continuing to seek medical care and not putting it off! The same applies to their ocular health."
People whose eye health is at greater risk due to family histories of glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration, or if they suffer from any other eye or health problem that could affect vision, are encouraged to keep their regular appointments. Public health and the health of staff is of upmost importance to Stewart & McConnell and any concerns about their COVID-19 plan can be addressed by contacting the practice directly.
From a business perspective, the practice has been hit hard during the lockdowns, but Stewart still considers himself lucky compared to other businesses. “Jobkeeper has been a godsend for helping keep a roof over our heads," says Stewart, "and I am grateful to the BOQ and our landlord for allowing some relief over the past 6 months."
An elderly patient shared a story that has helped Stewart stay positive during the constant lockdowns.
During the Second World War, my patient lived in a European country that was heavily bombed from 1944 until the war ended. He told me of hiding away in dark bomb shelters for hours, sometimes days at a time, and of not making it to the shelter in time on one occasion. Of being stranded in the basement of a building that was struck while he and his family were huddled below. Of climbing out of the rubble to see the family home destroyed and everywhere, buildings on fire. Of being separated from family and caring for his younger siblings, trying to survive on what food they could find. Of the war ending and spending the next 5 years playing in the rubble of the destroyed buildings.
"We’re not getting bombed," says Stewart. "We’ve just got to wear a mask and look after each other. So hang in there. Let’s not waste all the effort that’s gone into suppressing this thing in a hurry right now."
Lewis & McConnell remain optimistic about the future and are hoping that their patients will return soon for assessment of their eye health. They are also hoping for a busy lead-up to Christmas and a return to normality very soon.
Visit:
Lewis & McConnell Optometrist 51 Hamilton Pl, Mount Waverley VIC 3149 (03) 9807 4288
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