Award-winning Newport optician inspired by children seeing clearly first time
14 September 2026
A Newport optician recognised with a 2026 Dame Mary Perkins Award says helping young children see clearly for the first time remains the most rewarding part of her role.
Anni Waldorf, dispensing and contact lens optician at Specsavers Spytty Road, Newport, received the Dame Mary Perkins award for excellence in customer care, recognising her dedication to patients, commitment to professional development and support for colleagues.
‘Seeing very young children put glasses on for the first time will always be my favourite part of the job,’ says Anni. ‘Sometimes they're only one or two years old and they've never known any different.
‘Then they put their glasses on and their faces just light up because suddenly they can see clearly. It gets me emotional every time.’
Anni has worked in optics for 18 years and returned to Specsavers four years ago. Alongside her roles as a dispensing optician and contact lens optician, she has achieved multiple qualifications. She carries out specialist lens fitting and supports the development of colleagues through training and mentoring.
Her passion for learning is continuing through a Level 7 Professional Certificate in Paediatric Eye Care, helping her further develop her understanding of children's vision and eye health.
Treating customers and patients like family
‘I like to learn and I like to share that knowledge with colleagues,’ says Anni. ‘The more you learn, the more opportunities there are to help patients and support the people around you. Every day is different, and that's one of the things I enjoy most about the profession.’
Known for building strong relationships with patients, Anni says she approaches customer care by treating everyone she meets as she would a member of her own family. That approach has helped create a loyal patient base, with many customers specifically requesting appointments with her and returning year after year.
Over the course of her career, grateful patients have expressed their appreciation. However, Anni says the greatest reward comes from knowing she has made a positive difference to someone's day.
Why you should consider a dispensing career
The award also provides an opportunity to encourage others to consider a career in dispensing optics, an area she believes offers both professional challenge and personal fulfilment.
‘I'd encourage anyone thinking about a career in dispensing optics to go for it,’ she says. ‘The more qualifications you gain, the more doors open. I've always felt supported throughout my career at Specsavers and there are so many pathways available. You're constantly learning, your knowledge is always being tested, and you know you're helping people every day.’