Specsavers in Rutherglen has recently celebrated the appointment of optometrist director, Alan Munn, who has gone from selecting optometry as his last-choice university course to becoming a partner.
Alan joined the Specsavers Rutherglen store as an optometrist director in early 2026 and is currently supporting development in-store, while ensuring the team continues to deliver outstanding care and services to the local community.
For Alan, the decision to pursue a career in optics began when applying to study Optometry at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2018. While Optometry was not his first choice, he has since demonstrated the skills and determination needed to progress to partnership at the Specsavers Rutherglen store.
‘It was by chance that I selected Optometry as my fifth and final university course choice, and my achievements have grown from there,’ says Alan.
‘I began studying at Glasgow Caledonian University in 2019 and worked weekends as an optical assistant at Specsavers Sauchiehall Street during my third year. Through that experience, I secured a place to complete my pre-registration training. I finished my pre-reg in July 2024 and, by January, became lead optometrist.
‘I spent 2025 completing my independent prescribing course, as well as the Specsavers Pathway programme.
‘The independent prescribing course trains optometrists to diagnose and treat complex eye conditions directly on the high street. It gives you the clinical knowledge and prescribing authority to manage urgent and long‑term eye problems safely, without sending patients elsewhere. It’s all about raising clinical standards in community practice — bringing hospital‑level expertise closer to where people live and making high‑quality eye care faster, safer, and more accessible.’
‘The Specsavers Pathway programme prepares you to run a store that’s truly part of its local community. Because Specsavers stores are owned by the people who work in them, the programme focuses on developing leaders who care about their town, their customers, and the role eyes and hearing care plays in everyday life. It teaches you how to lead a team, manage a business, and make decisions that put people first — so when you eventually become a partner, you’re not just running a store, you’re helping to support the community you serve.
‘I was later offered the opportunity to be part of a succession plan to become a partner in Rutherglen at the beginning of 2026,’ he adds.
Alan is committed to advancing clinical standards and ensuring customers have access to the most effective and up-to-date treatment options. He is particularly passionate about myopia control.
‘With the global rise in myopia, early intervention and evidence-based management are becoming increasingly critical to protecting long-term eye health,’ he says.
Having myopia himself, Alan explains that current treatment options are ones he wishes had been available to him as a child, and being able to provide them now is especially rewarding.
‘My advice to graduates starting in optometry would be to stay curious and take every opportunity to learn. The early years are key to building confidence and developing strong clinical foundations,’ he says.
‘I would encourage graduates to seek mentorship, ask questions and embrace new challenges. Most importantly, remember that great optometry is about connecting with customers and delivering the best possible care to our communities.’
Specsavers Rutherglen continues to invest in its team through training and professional development, ensuring the local community receives expert care from a team that reflects its values.
Looking ahead, Alan plans to build stronger relationships with community groups, schools and charities, with a particular focus on promoting eye health awareness and encouraging regular eye examinations.
For more information or to book a hearing check, call Specsavers Rutherglen on 0141 647 5588 or visit: https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/glasgow
Issued by Tigerbond on behalf of Specsavers Rutherglen
For more information, please contact:
E: nicole.starrs@tigerbond.com
T: 07730812631
