Amid the daily bustle of Macleay St – the cafés in full swing, the hum of conversation spilling onto the footpaths, the easy theatre of Potts Point life unfolding from morning through late afternoon – Macleay Optics stands as one of the quiet specialist businesses anchoring the neighbourhood.

Conveniently located at 107 Macleay St, the much-loved independent optometrist practice has long been part of the local fabric, offering expert eye care with a distinctly personal touch. Now under the stewardship of optometrist Terence Dam and his business partner Alan Katz, the practice continues a 26-year legacy while gently steering it into a new era.

“It was an established practice for about 26 years,” Terence says. “Alan and I had worked together previously in the area and always had a lot of mutual respect. In 2024 we decided to build something together. We opened a practice in Bondi Junction, and then in September last year we took over Macleay Optics from the previous owner. It just felt right.”

Trained at the University of NSW and Sydney born-and-raised, Terence brings both clinical rigour and a deep understanding of the area’s shifting rhythms. Inside the practice, comprehensive eye examinations and ongoing vision care are delivered with precision, while prescriptions – whether spectacles or contact lenses – are tailored to individual lifestyles and long-term eye health. Behind the scenes, lens technologies and coatings are anything but standard issue, reflecting a bespoke approach rather than a one-size-fits-all mentality.

On the retail floor, that same bespoke approach extends to eyewear. Where once the offering leaned heavily toward classic blacks and tortoiseshell, the shelves now present a more expressive curation: the downtown cool of Moscot sits alongside the architectural lightness of Lindberg, the Parisian flair of Anne & Valentin, the laid-back California feel of Garrett Leight, and statement pieces from Ahlem, Tom Ford and Masunaga.

“There wasn’t much colour before,” Terence says with a smile. “We wanted to mix it up a little. There are lawyers and real estate agents around here, yes, but there are also artists, designers, and a younger, more international crowd coming through. A splash of colour felt right.”

Integral to that sense of personality is expert eyewear dispenser Debora Freifeld, a long-time local whose intuitive knack for matching face to frame has become something of a calling card within the neighbourhood.

“Finding Debora has been the best surprise,” Terence says. “She’s amazing. She can speak to someone for a few minutes and just know what will suit them – not only their face, but their story. She relates to people instantly.”

For Terence, Potts Point itself is part of the appeal.

“When I first started working here in 2018, the older vibe was still very strong, and it still is, but there’s definitely a younger demographic now, more international clients as well. It’s very accepting, very friendly. I felt at home straight away. It’s completely different to Bondi Junction; the sensibility is different. Here, you always see someone you know.”

Open five days a week, with a rotating team of optometrists ensuring daily clinical care, Macleay Optics remains grounded in what Terence calls a holistic approach. “We focus on personal care and tailor management directly to each person’s needs,” he says. “It’s about long-term relationships and long-term vision care.”

Step back onto Macleay St and the hum resumes – with Terence’s own local favourites close at hand, from Maki Sushi Bar to breakfast at Igniis and handmade pasta at Vico. In the midst of it all, Macleay Optics continues to look ahead with clarity, a specialist practice shaped by expertise, colour, and a genuine connection to the community it serves.

By Adam Gibson 

Photo by Simone McAullay

https://macleayoptics.com.au/

107 Macleay St, Potts Point

Sunday/Monday: Closed

Tuesday: 9.30am -6pm

Wednesday: 9.30am -6pm

Thursday: 9.30am -6pm

Friday: 9.30am -6pm

Saturday: 9am -5pm