About Us
Your vision is our business. A family business that has been providing quality eye care since 1939!
Mr Charl Trichard is our optometrist and provides friendly and professional help with any eye related queries you might have. Our services range from comprehensive eye testing, contact lenses, diagnostic and therapeutic’s to a host of specialized lenses and frames. Our friendly and skilled staff will guide you through medical aid related queries and advice. Local laboratories allow for efficient and reliable services to the local and broader public (remote areas), thus allowing for a one-day service when required. Affordable cash packages are available for non-medical aid members.
Trichard Optometrists has an esteemed family history, stretching as far back as 1939. It all started with Gordon Trichard, the patriarch of the family, who was born in 1912; he graduated in 1936 with an MbCHb at UCT. Dr Gordon Trichard then immediately left for Oxford and Vienne where he received his qualification as an Ophthalmic Surgeon.
Dr Gordon Trichard arrived back in Bloemfontein in 1939 where he practiced for the next 36 years. A pioneer in his field, he conducted the first corneal graft on the African continent. This was followed up with pioneering photocoagulation (laser). He later became head of the ophthalmic unit of the Orange Free State, later retiring to Knysna where he continued to practice for a few years. Dr Gordon Trichard’s brother, Louis Trichard, was also an Ophthalmologist and joined him in 1952 and they practiced together for many years.
Rolf Trichard, Gordon’s son qualified as an Optometrist in 1968 and started practice at Druif Opticians in Cape Town, he was then transferred to Glietenberg Opticians in Bloemfontein. Koos Mellin then approached Rolf Trichard and the practice Mellin and Trichard then came to be. Rolf Trichard left the Mellin and Trichard partnership in 1976 and opened his own practice as Trichard Optometrists. Trevor Skinner joined Rolf in 1980 and they had 25 years together as Trichard & Skinner until Rolf semi-retired in 2007 and finally retiring at the end of 2012.
Charl Trichard, Rolf’s son, joined the practice in 1998 following his inception as the national consultant to South African sports teams at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa (Cape Town). He duly expanded the practice to Showgate Centre and Brandfort. Charl purchased Showgate in 2004 where he still practices today.
Our Staff at Trichard Optometrists
Charl Trichard - Optometrist
Elizabeth - Optometrist
Herman - HR and front-liner
Ramona - Practice Manager