29/03/2026
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School children in Ballymena were given an insightful talk by John who said it is his โmissionโ to take the fear out of eye exams and banish the stigma of wearing glasses.
John Broderick, owner of independent practice Fitzsimons Opticians, spoke to a group of four and five-year-olds at Harryville Primary School about the importance of looking after their eyes.
John, who was joined by optical assistant Samantha, used childrenโs television characters who wear glasses to help pupils relate to the topic, demonstrating how these much-loved stars have embraced their eyewear.
John, an optician for more than 30 years, said speaking to children at this age, before many of them have had an eye test, helps to dispel some of the myths around eye tests and visiting an optician.
He said: โThe aim was to give a very gentle introduction to eye health and how they can look
after their eyes by eating a healthy diet and using sunglasses to protect them from the sun.
โWe described in very basic terms what an eye exam is and talked about wearing glasses should they need them. We wanted to make the point that glasses are a good thing.
โThe idea is to help children feel less apprehensive about visiting an optician to get their eyes tested and to make sure itโs not traumatic if they do need glasses. Talking to the whole class also helps because if someone in the class eventually needs glasses, thereโs already an awareness among the children so thereโs less stigma attached.โ
John and Samantha gave each child a goodie bag which included a voucher for a free eye test.
John added: โWe were given a very warm welcome by the children and their teacher, Laura Bell.
โWe are always happy to speak to children about eye health so they learn from an early age the benefits of protecting their eyesight. We encourage families to make eye exams a regular date in the diary in the same way dentist appointments are.โ
The team at Fitzsimons Opticians, which is based in William Street, recently celebrated the practiceโs 40th anniversary.
