Image shows Past Master Liz Shilling with members of the military.

Image shows the Past Master examining the alignment of a patient's eye as an Orthoptist at St Thomas' Hospital.

Image shows the Past Master Liz Shilling examining the alignment of a patient's eye as an Orthoptist at St Thomas' Hospital.

Young RAF air cadets (ages 11-14) receiving awards from a senior Company official

Two Ophthalmic Nurses receiving their Freedom of the City of London as Spectacle Makers.

Image shows five Spectacle Makers from different backgrounds receiving their Freedom of the City of London.

Professor James G Fujimoto delivering the latest Spectacle Makers' Lecture.

Our governing Court, the Clerk and the Beadle wearing ceremonial gowns of office at a Court Luncheon

A Snippet of our Achievement of Arms

Image shows 4 female eye health professionals in a mock aircraft, discussing eye health in aviation with an RAF instructor.

Four female eye health professionals in a mock aircraft, discussing eye health in aviation with an RAF instructor.

13 members of the Court working together. Pictured seated at meeting table and smiling.

13 members of the Court working together at a relaxed meeting.

UHI Winner Kiera Logan

A Black and White Photograph of a Livery Dinner in 1966

Master, Wardens and Comapny processing to St Pauls for the United Guilds Service, 28 march 2025

The Master and Wardens at the Installation Lunch

Professor Robert McLaren receiving the 7th Fincham Medal

Professor Robert MacLaren receiving the 7th Fincham Medal

Spectacle Makers are awarded Special Awards at the ABDO Graduation at Canterbury Cathedral in 2025.

Images from the Sheep Drive in 2024

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers

Supporting better vision for all, since 1629

We are the only City of London Livery company dedicated to eye health.

We are the oldest existing optical body in the world.

Founded in 1629, our purpose is the same now as it was then. We support better vision for all.

In the 21st Century we believe that nobody should be held back because of their sight.

Today, you do not have to be involved in making spectacles to join our Company. Our members represent over 35 different professions in eye health, sight loss and many other fields. Through them, our reach spreads out from the City of London, right across the world.

We seek to inspire future generations committed to visionary eye care, building on our rich heritage of almost 400 years.

We’re interested in everything that can be done to prevent unnecessary sight loss and increase access to work, sport and culture for people with partial or full sight loss.

Rooted in tradition, we bring the best of our experience to bear on the continuing need for eye health provision, helping education, employment, life and leisure.

To find out more, click below – or, even better, come and join us!

Find out more

CURRENT MEMBERS: For all the latest news and information, please click on the Members' Login button at the top of this page

Upcoming Events

24 November 2025, 6:15 pm

4th Annual Spectacle Makers’ Lecture: When Darkness Threatens Light

In November 2021 Professor Mandeep Sagoo led the London team which fitted a digitally produced, 3-D printed prosthetic eye and transformed the life of their patient. Hear about the latest findings in ocular oncology from one of it leading specialists.

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

09 December 2025, 12:30 pm

The December 2025 Court Lunch

Liverymen are invited to book now for the ever-popular December Court Luncheon

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

06 January 2026, 6:30 pm

Eye-to-Eye: Tour of the BOA Museum

Join us for this month's Eye-to-Eyre, where we will have a virtual tour of the revamped BOA Museum, by Liveryman Dr Neil Handley

Virtual | Learn more | View all Events

08 January 2026, 2:30 pm

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime [Sold Out]

Sleeping Beauty at the Palladium Thursday 8 January 2026 at 2.30pm

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

03 February 2026, 6:30 pm

Eye-to-Eye: Geoff Lawson

In this Eye-to-Eye we will hear from the International Cricketer and Optometrist Geoff Lawson (Please note that this session will be pre-recorded as Geoff is in Australia).

Virtual | Learn more | View all Events

09 March 2026, 12:30 pm

March Court Luncheon 2026

[Bookings for the March 2026 Court Luncheon will open in January 2026.]

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

20 March 2026, 10:30 am

United Guilds’ Service

United Guilds' Service

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

07 April 2026, 6:30 pm

Eye-to-Eye: Professional Development Award Winners

Join us for this month's Eye-to-Eyre, where we hear from our Professional Development Award winners, who will be delivering presentations.

Virtual | Learn more | View all Events

14 April 2026, 12:00 pm

Society day out in Bath, Somerset

Society Day out in Bath, Somerset. Organised by Victoria Barrett

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

20 April 2026, 6:30 pm

The 2026 Livery Dinner

[Bookings for the 2026 Livery will open in January 2026.]

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

02 June 2026, 6:30 pm

Eye-to-Eye: Town Hall Meeting 2026

Your chance to find out more about your Company and pose any questions to the Master, Wardens, Court members and Committee Chairs.

Virtual | Learn more | View all Events

11 June 2026, 12:30 pm

The June Court Lunch 2026

[Bookings for the June 2026 Court Luncheon will open in late April 2026.]

In Person | Learn more | View all Events

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Membership

The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is an open company, which means we welcome members with professional backgrounds beyond the vision care and sight loss sectors.

Journeyman

Ideal for those at the beginning of their career in optics and vision care looking for extra support.

Find out more >

Freeman

Applying for Freedom of the Company is the first step to joining a community committed to better vision for all.

Find out more >