College of Optometrists holds open house

The College and British Optical Museum are open to walk-in visitors on Sunday 10 September as part of Open House London. 

The historic building is home to the oldest collection of ophthalmic artefacts in the world. Dating back to 1901, it incorporates key advances in medical science and the history of eyewear design and fashion.

The museum has over twenty eight thousand items, including historic vision aids, spectacle frames and lenses. Diagnostic and sight-testing equipment, protective shades and some gruesome models depicting ocular disease are also shown.

Displays also incorporate rare books, prints, photographs, historic trade literature, advertisements and works of art. The museum is usually open only by appointment. 

There’s no need to book and entry is free from 12 noon to 5pm. The college and museum are at: 42 Craven Street, London, WC2N 5NG.  Click here to find out more.