Continental, part of Millmead Optical Group, has won The Frame Award for its Star Fit™ children’s eyewear collection at this year’s Optician Awards. The judges praised the range for its adaptability and fit, highlighting its clear understanding of the challenges faced in paediatric dispensing.
Developed in collaboration with paediatric dispensing specialist Dr Alicia Thompson, Star Fit™ was created in response to research highlighting that children’s frames have traditionally been treated as scaled-down adult designs. This approach often results in poor fit, discomfort and reduced willingness for children to wear their glasses. Launched in late 2023, Star Fit™ was developed as a data-led solution designed specifically around children’s facial anatomy, visual behaviour and real dispensing requirements.
Now operating successfully in practices for over a year, the collection has grown from 16 to 32 pieces and has extended its sizing from infants through to 12-year-olds. Judges highlighted the inclusive nature of the range, alongside its carefully designed bridges, child-specific lens positioning and highly adjustable temples, all of which make accurate, comfortable fitting easier to achieve in practice.
James Conway, CEO of Millmead Optical Group, said: “We created Star Fit™ to solve a very practical issue that opticians deal with every day when fitting children’s frames. To see the collection recognised by the Optician Awards judges for its adaptability, fit and impact in practice is extremely rewarding and a strong endorsement of the thinking behind the collection. This award reflects the collaboration behind Star Fit™, from clinical expertise to practitioner feedback and reinforces our commitment to developing eyewear that genuinely supports opticians and improves outcomes for young patients.”
The award recognises Star Fit™ as a practical, accessible and clinically informed children’s eyewear collection that has moved beyond concept to become an established and trusted solution in UK optical practices.
