Fairbairn Opticians

As a family-owned independent opticians we have been serving our local communities for over 40 years. Our long serving teams have a wealth of experience in tailoring eyecare to your individual vision and eye health needs.

Our story begins in 1979 when Michael Fairbairn Snr set up his first practice in Newry. Two years later, he opened the second practice in Banbridge. His son Michael Fairbairn Jnr along with his wife Selena acquired the family business in 2018.

Before joining Fairbairn Opticians, Michael Jnr trained as a Dispensing Optician in London in 1999, he continued his studies in Manchester and qualified as an Optometrist in 2006. He gained a wealth of experience working in various optical practices around England and Scotland before returning to join the family business in Northern Ireland.

His primary goal was to improve patients’ eyecare by investing in new diagnostic equipment for eye exams and more specialist assessments, along with offering a wider range of high-quality designer eyewear and bespoke lenses that catered to all their individual needs.

He continues to develop his professional qualifications by becoming accredited as an Independent Prescriber and he also helps organise educational events for the optical sector in Northern Ireland.

Thanks to Michael’s commitment to introducing new technology and fashion to the practices, we have invested in OCT and Optomap scans which provide advanced retinal imaging to help with the early detection of eye conditions like diabetes, glaucoma, and macular conditions. In addition we have a state of the art digital measuring system called Visioffice X that allows us to fit personalised lenses with unparalleled accuracy for our patients. As well as offering specialised lenses and designer brands that are refreshed regularly, we offer enhanced eye examinations, emergency eyecare, contact lens consultations, a bespoke eyewear styling service and a specialist treatment to slow down the progression of short sightedness (myopia) in children called myopia management.

Whatever you visit us for, you can rest assured that we’ll take the time to get to know you, so we can provide the most bespoke products and services for your needs.