“It's about
health and fashion” says optician Ken Preston, owner of Xspectical Eye
Care Center on Washington’s famed U Street, NW. “We have two
doctors who rotate schedules in the office on a weekly basis to perform
eye examinations. There is an array of contact lenses and eye
wear to fit the styles that have become a part of the U Street culture
and fashion,” added Preston.
Preston is serious about the eye care business. After all, he has
been in the business for 30 years. Since graduating from Durham
Technical College, he has owned stores in
Forest Village Mall (now
known as The Centre at Forestville), St. Charles Town Center, and
Capital Plaza. Commenting on his longevity in the field, Preston
added, “I like dealing with customers and helping them maintain good
eye health.”
In addition to eye exam services, Xspectical retains a Spanish-speaking
consultant. “This service helps meet the needs of many of our
customers whose first language is not English,” added the native
Washingtonian. Xspectical also offers repair services and
consultations on Lasik procedures.
“LASIK is a surgical procedure intended to reduce a person's dependency
on glasses or contact lenses,” explained Preston. Interestingly,
Preston believes that the onset of LASIK technology has not hurt his
business. “Generally, LASIK helps correct your ability to see far
away, however, it may create a near-vision problem,” he added.
Those who have had the surgery often finds themselves in need of some
eye wear correction says Preston.
Over the past 30 years, Preston has seen other changes, especially
changes in style. “Glass sizes have gone from large frames to small
frames and back to large frames,” he says. Preston also says that
the materials used to create eye wear has gotten more stylish and
lighter. “Manufactures use to use heavy materials like nickel to
make frames, now many frames come in titanium and stainless steel which
is lighter and more durable,” added Preston. |
Xspectical
Eye Care
Center
1516 U Street, NW
Washington, DC 20009
2 blocks from U Street /
Cardozo Metro
Tel 202-299-9109
Click
Here to See
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