The Optical Boutique, formerly known as The Optical Centre, has been a cornerstone of eye care in Hyde Park Corner for over 50 years. Now under new ownership, the practice has been fully renovated and rebranded while maintaining its unwavering commitment to high-value patient care and an exceptional clinical experience.
We cater to a discerning clientele, offering an unrivaled selection of designer eyewear, including bespoke frames crafted from precious metals and jewels.
We also offer a range of contact lenses for everyday use and convenience, ensuring optimal eye health with the latest technology in oxygen permeability and comfort. Our expert team provides personalized fittings to match each patients unique visual needs.
We utilize state-of-the-art technology, including high-resolution retinal imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) for early disease detection, and precise digital prescription measurements, ensuring the highest standard of eye health management.
Honoring The Optical Centres legacy in low vision aids, we are expanding our offerings with advanced bioptics and telescopic solutions, set to launch in June 2025.
Our optometrists at Optical Boutique have a keen interest in specialized treatment, and have taken on all low vision needs previously serviced at The Optical Center. We have a large variety of magnifiers, and low vision aids, can put our patients in touch with various organizations assisting patients with low vision, and provide specialized lenses such as bioptics.
We also serve clients across the African continent and international travelers, ensuring a fast turnaround time so they can receive their glasses before embarking on their journeys.
Meet the Team.
Kelly Winter
Qualified Optometrist with Diagnostic Privileges.
Kelly Winter, our resident optometrist, earned her Honours degree from the University of Johannesburg. While studying, she gained valuable experience in optical practices, focusing on the dispensing side of optometry and developing a strong foundation in lens selection and fitting. After qualifying, she worked at various practices across different areas, gaining diverse exposure to eye health issues and refining her expertise in diagnosing visual concerns and prescribing tailored spectacle solutions for each patient.
Her professional yet kind-natured approach allows her to make patients feel comfortable, particularly the aged community, as she takes her time to explain each test thoroughly and ensures they understand how everything works.
Kelly is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and holds diagnostic privileges, enabling her to use specific diagnostic medications to assess eye health. This includes dilating the back of the eye to detect retinal conditions and performing cycloplegic refractions for children. She is also MiyoSmart-accredited, allowing her to prescribe MiyoSmart lenses, which are designed to slow down the progression of myopia (short-sightedness) in children and teenagers.
She has a keen interest in low vision care and is actively pursuing further studies in low vision aids. As part of this commitment, the optical boutique offers a range of modern electronic vision aids to enhance vision for patients with conditions such as macular degeneration, ocular albinism, and diabetes-related eye diseases, among others.
With a background in the modeling industry and a love for travel, Kelly has developed a keen eye for fashion and the latest trends. She stays updated with the ever-evolving fashion industry, ensuring she provides informed, stylish frame selection advice. Her international travels include attending prestigious optical expos, where she explores the latest advancements in optical equipment and global eyewear trends.
Kelly is a dedicated professional who ensures her patients feel at ease. Her kind, patient-centered approach combined with her expertise allows her to provide exceptional eye care, expert lens recommendations, and tailored optical solutions for each patient’s unique needs.
Amanda Kriel
Qualified Optical Assistant
With over 25 years of experience in optics, Amanda Kriel is a dedicated and knowledgeable optical assistant. She completed her Professional Practice Assistant certificate at RAU (now the University of Johannesburg) in 2001 and has since built a strong foundation in the optical industry.
Amanda spent nine years as a Regional Account Manager at a leading lens company, where she gained in-depth expertise in cutting-edge lens technologies. She remains committed to staying up to date with the latest advancements to ensure that patients receive the best possible optical solutions for their individual needs.
Her philosophy is simple: each person has unique visual requirements, and her goal is to accommodate every patient with the most suitable and high-quality products to enhance their vision. She has a keen eye for detail and excels at troubleshooting optical issues or struggles that patients may be experiencing, ensuring they receive the best possible care.
Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, especially with her husband and two teenage sons. She also has a passion for arts and crafts, embracing creativity as a fulfilling outlet beyond her professional work.
Candy Runiga
Optical Assistant
With over 12 years of experience in the optometry field, Candy Runiga brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to patient care. Her expertise spans contact lens fitting, dispensing, and delivering exceptional customer support. Throughout her career, she has worked with leading optometrists across Johannesburg, improving administrative systems, training staff, and implementing service strategies that enhance client satisfaction.
Candy is passionate about helping people see better and feel confident in their eyewear choices. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking and spending time in nature. She also briefly volunteered with Doctors Without Borders (MSF), reflecting her commitment to humanitarian causes and global health
Sadheer Maharaj
Practice and Business Relations Manager
Sadheer Maharaj holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Business Management from UNISA and has over 20 years of experience in the optical industry. He has worked with large practices in KwaZulu-Natal before moving to Johannesburg approximately 15 years ago.
As the Practice Manager of Optical Boutique and Rosewall McCarthy Optometrist in Craighall Park, Sadheer oversees both practices, ensuring that daily operations run smoothly, customer concerns are effectively addressed, and supplier relationships are well-managed. His role extends to handling various management-related tasks, ensuring the highest level of service and efficiency across both locations.
With a strong understanding of lens designs, Sadheer specializes in troubleshooting multifocal concerns, helping patients achieve optimal visual clarity. He is also highly skilled in frame adjustments and spectacle repairs, ensuring patients receive the best possible fit and comfort.
Beyond his professional expertise, Sadheer enjoys cooking and entertaining, bringing people together through food. He also cherishes spending time with his son, engaging in outdoor activities like walking, fishing, and hiking.
Catherine McCarthy
Owner & Qualified Optometrist
Catherine McCarthy, owner of Optical Boutique and Rosewall McCarthy Optometrist, is a highly experienced optometrist with 20 years in the field. She has special interests in pediatrics, neuro-optometry, binocular vision (including squints and prism correction), and scleral contact lenses. While primarily based at Rosewall McCarthy Optometrist in Craighall Park, she occasionally consults at Optical Boutique for complex cases and provides ongoing guidance to the team.
Optical Boutique stands out for its cutting-edge technology and advanced diagnostic equipment, ensuring precise spectacle prescriptions and thorough eye health evaluations. Patients can trust that every optometrist at Optical Boutique upholds the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous education in optometry and eye care.
Marshan Ramdin
Qualified Optometrist
Marshan Ramdin is a qualified optometrist with diagnostic privileges, allowing him to perform cycloplegic refractions and dilated retina examinations. He studied at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Westville and has over 15 years of experience in clinical practice.
Throughout his career, Marshan has locumed at various practices, gaining extensive experience in managing a wide range of eye conditions. He has also completed specialized courses with major international laboratories, enhancing his expertise in cutting-edge optical technology for patients with visual impairments.
Marshan has a strong passion for contact lenses, particularly in solving complex cases and improving patient comfort. As someone who is profoundly nearsighted and a contact lens wearer himself, he deeply understands the challenges faced by patients with poor vision and is committed to finding the best solutions for their needs.
Outside of work, he is a football enthusiast and enjoys DIY projects at home. Marshan is registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and remains dedicated to providing exceptional eye care to his patients.