OUR STORY AT IC OPTOMETRIST
On the 23rd March 1985, Ian opened the practice only a few doors up at 19 Gymea Bay Rd. With no receptionist, a fully operational lens fitting laboratory in the back of the practice and state of the art testing equipment for the time he was ready to begin practicing. Ian quickly made his mark in Gymea with his caring and selfless approach to Optometry which continues to this day. Since then fashions have changed, new designers have come and gone and technology has progressed in leaps and bounds. When you enter the practice today you will notice some things have remained from the early days - for example the handmade frog sculpture, the children's frame displays made by Ian’s sister in law and the cabinet of old spectacles and equipment. You will also notice the new state of the art technology such as the OCT machine, the DNEYE scanner and the Rodenstock Impressionist tool which allows us to provide you with the most comprehensive eye exams and use the most cutting edge lens designs available through Rodenstock, completely tailored to your individual needs.
In December 2023 Ian retired and has left the practice in the capable hands of his son Brenton and Leilei. Both Brenton and Leilei share in Ian's ideals of prioritising patient care above all else ensuring the foundations Ian laid back in 1985 will continue for many years to come. Ian still has rights to the coffee machine so can be caught coming and going from time to time.
Ian Cleaver- Optometrist, Founder, Retiree
The man, the myth, the legend and now the Retiree
With over 35 years experience Ian has seen generations of patients come through the practice. He has built an outstanding reputation within the community for his exceptional patient care and service. Within a very competitive optical market Ian has remained busy due to his integrity, honesty and level of patient care. This is the foundation of independent practice.
Following on with the same ethos Ian's son Brenton has stepped in to manage the practice alongside Leilei Zhou's Optometry expertise to continue serving the local community in the same way for years to come.
Leilei Zhou
Director and Optometrist extraordinaire
Leilei graduated from the University of Auckland – New Zealand with a Bachelor of Optometry (Honours) degree. She has received academic awards at University in Optics and Research and is therapeutically endorsed to prescribe scheduled medicines. She has practiced in the beautiful South Island of New Zealand and in the quirky suburb of Newtown in Sydney. Leilei is passionate about eyecare, especially remote Optometry and has volunteered on an Outreach to Vanuatu and enjoyed the wonderful hospitality of that amazing country. Leilei is easy going, positive and always willing to help.
Brenton Cleaver
Director, Practice Manager and Lens guru... also Ian's not-so-mini-me
Brenton is a Qualified Optical dispenser who has been working in the optical industry since 2003. With five of those years spent working in Sydney’s high fashion CBD in both private and corporate practice giving him a well rounded understanding of the industry.
In this time he has researched and had experience with many different frame and lens designers. This experience has given him an excellent understanding of the workings of these lenses to provide you with the best possible result for your new spectacles or sunglasses. He always has his eye out (pardon the pun) for new and exciting designs to add to the selection in the practice.
Being unmistakably and unashamedly Ian's son Brenton follows in Ian's footsteps doing all he can for his clients to make sure they always look, see and feel their best.
Stephanie Mico
Optical Dispenser on the road to greatness
Stephanie is a qualified Optical dispenser who finished her studies in 2018. Stephanie has previously worked in Sydney's trendy Bondi area and has experience with some of the worlds highest quality optical designers. With a passion for design Stephanie’s eye for detail will help make sure you get the perfect fitting and most stylish new pair of glasses or sunglasses.
Steph begun her journey with us in 2020 and has been a valuable addition to the practice.
Steph is often the first person you meet walking into the practice and can't be missed with her smile, laugh and happy, welcoming personality.
Fedra Espero
Optical Dispenser and frame style master
Fedra is our Senior Optical Dispenser and has been in the Optical Industry for over 20 years.
Fedra has previously worked in and managed stores in the surfy suburb of Cronulla, the trendy areas of Bondi and Sydney's inner west. This experience has given Fedra an excellent skill set to provide you with the best technical and fashion advice for your new eyewear.
Fedra thoroughly enjoys the process of helping you to select the perfect frame and lens solution to make sure you look, see and feel your best. Fedra's kind nature and great sense of humour has been a key asset to the practice since joining us in 2022.