Birrell & Rainford are dedicated to giving you and your family the highest standard of expertise and advice on all your visual needs.
Independent professional eyecare and quality eyewear
Jim Birrell & Brenda Rainford, both formerly of Black & Lizars, have opened a new independent optical practice in the West End of Edinburgh.
Birrell & Rainford is dedicated to giving you and your family the highest standard of expertise and advice on all your visual needs in a friendly and welcoming environment.
Jim Birrell, FBDO
Jim is a hugely experienced dispensing & contact lens optician, having begun his optical career almost 30 years ago. Prior to forming his partnership with Brenda Rainford, Jim was Manager of Black & Lizars, Shandwick Place for many years (the company’s largest branch in Edinburgh). Jim established an enviable reputation and loyal following in the industry, being well known for both his friendly, enthusiastic attitude and his skill in advising customers on spectacles and lenses.
With a particular interest in contact lens fitting, from working in both an hospital environment and normal day to day dispensing, Jim’s expertise enables him to fit almost anyone, from children.
to those with specialist needs, with individually compatible and comfortable lenses.
Jim is registered with the General Optical Council as a Qualified Dispensing Optician & Contact Lens Fitter and is a Member of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.
Brenda Rainford, FAOI
A native of Ireland, Brenda has been practicing in Scotland since 1987, working in both hospitals and private practice, principally with Black & Lizars. Over this time, she has built up a loyal client base who appreciate her professional, yet approachable manner and extensive optical expertise.
Brenda has specialist interest in paediatric optometry, with particular expertise in the areas of binocular vision, visual stress and assessing methods of helping children who are experiencing reading difficulties.
Brenda qualified as an optometrist in 1985, is a member of the General Optical Council and a Member of the Irish Association of Optometrists.