Meet the Team...Daniel Queen

Why did you get into Optics?

By accident – A customer of my previous workplace was a manager of an Independent Optician and asked me to interview for a position they were hiring for. I was a bit reluctant, as I didn’t have any Optics experience, but she convinced me to apply. I’ve been working in Optics for over 10 years now.

What is your favourite brand of eyewear and why?

Ray-Ban. I love my polarised sunglasses. It’s such an iconic brand with a really cool story.

What is your most memorable patient experience?

We were fitting a young patient with contact lenses. She wanted them for starting high school but was having a hard time getting the lenses in and, after a few appointments, wanted to give up. I convinced her to come for one more appointment as I knew she could do it and she really wanted them. Everything clicked at the next appointment and we signed her off to wear contact lenses. She later came back with her mum to give us a thank you card and she’d written a note inside to say thank you for believing in her, that wearing the contact lenses has given her such a confidence boost and that she’d gone from dreading starting a new school to being excited to take the next step. I swear, someone was cutting onions in the practice that day.

What do you enjoy doing outside of work?

Hiking, watching films and spending time with my family.

Where is your favourite holiday destination?

Isle of Arran

What is your favourite movie or book?

Momento. It’s about a man who, after an injury, can’t develop short-term memories and relies on notes which he tattoos on his body. I don’t have any tattoos but I need my post-it notes!