Seeing more clearly at Alcona Optical
by Michelle Minnoch

Born and raised in Alcona, Lydia Fagents- Genno, owner of Alcona Optical says she is really proud to offer her services to the community in which she grew up. A certified contact lens fitter, Fagents-Genno is proud of what she can offer Innisfil residents.

Located in the Crossroads Plaza, Alcona Optical has been open since May 2004. Alcona Optical is known to offer its clients eyewear that is of good quality, fashionable and affordable. With Dr. Harvey Kader, Optometrist, onsite, Fagents-Genno says she is proud her business offers a qualified Optometrist.

"There are a lot of businesses that offer eye exams, and they are not done by a qualified professional," she says. "We waited a long time to get a qualified optometrist at Alcona Optical because there was a need. People need to be aware that a qualified professional needs to do the job."

What makes Alcona Optical so unique is that Fagents-Genno offers face shape and skin tone analysis in order to help customers to choose the frames that are right for them. This no charge service is offered to all who are buying their glasses from Alcona Optical.

(right) Lydia Fagents-Genno. (above) Alcona Optical has an array of glasses to choose from. photos by Michelle Minnoch

"I work with coloured scarves and wallets to determine whether there are warm or cool undertones to a person's skin, and that helps in making the frame decision much easier," she says.

In analyzing the shape of a customers face, Fagents- Genno says it helps someone find the exact match for what they are looking for. For example, she says even though someone may have a round face, it doesn't necessarily mean they need round glasses frames.

"Depending on the person and what they are looking for, a round frame may accentuate a round face, but a square may balance it out."

She says people also need to consider their features, eyes, nose and chin, before determining what type of frames they should be looking for.

When people are deciding what frames to choose, she will take their photo and download it to the store's computer; that ways, she says, people can see what they look like on screen, and see what they think.

"When choosing a frame, it comes down to whether or not it puts a smile on the person's face," she says.

With many frames to choose from, Fagents-Genno says the trend now is frames with colour in them. She says people are always looking for something different, something unique, and that is what Alcona Optical has to offer.

Fagents-Genno states people need to be aware that many of the big box stores that offer frames are usually much more over priced. There are many times her customers look at prices elsewhere, and come back to Alcona Optical and realize what they were looking for was just around the corner.

"We offer great quality and the latest technology at affordable prices," she says.

In regards to contact lenses, Fagents-Genno says they offer the latest and greatest in contact lenses. She says people also come in for non prescription contact lenses when they want to have a different eye colour.

Alcona Optical also offers a wide variety of prescription and non-prescription sun glasses. Offering the latest styles, you will find Maui Jim, Tommy Hilfiger, Oakley, Serengeti and more.

With over 25 years in the business, Fagents-Genno says her experience has given her the ability to problem solve and she says she will do what it takes to make her customers happy.

"You have to make the customers happy, because that's your business."

She says there are always products available in any price range at Alcona Optical and if it is not in store, she says the product can be ordered in.

Fagents-Genno says there is a big misconception that OHIP does not cover eye tests, and that is only partially true.

OHIP covers eye exams for patients between the ages of 0-19, and those 65 and older. Coverage is also available for medical necessity annually for people with diabetes, cataracts, glaucoma, amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (turned eye), visual field defects, retinal disease and corneal disease.

Located at 1070 Innisfil Beach Road in the Crossroads Plaza, you can contact Alcona Optical at (705) 431-1332.