Mullers Optometrists is woven into the fabric of Cape Town’s history, having cared for the city’s eyes for an incredible 135 years. As the first optometrists in the Mother City, Mullers has built a legacy of vision care, craftsmanship, and innovation. Its flagship Longmarket Street store also houses a dedicated museum showcasing the fascinating evolution of eyecare over the past century.
The business remains proudly family-owned, with Managing Directors representing the fourth generations of founder and one-time jeweller, Joseph Muller. A 22-year-old immigrant from a small Catholic village in Germany’s Black Forest, Joseph established one of South Africa’s first opticians in 1890. His original shop, combining a flourishing jewellery and watchmaking business with an optician’s practice, stood just across the road from Mullers’ current Longmarket premises. The striking black-and-chrome Art Deco storefront remains a city landmark to this day.
For more than a century, the Muller family has maintained a unique association with the British College of Optometrists. Joseph Muller’s name, the 79th entry in the original registry of what was then the British Optical Association, was followed by the admission of two of his five sons, three of his four optometrist grandsons, and later his great-grandson, Peter Muller.
Today, Mullers Optometrists operates from seven locations, including Longmarket Street, Cavendish Square, Constantia, Century City, Newlands and Tygervalley Centre, combining state-of-the-art technology with a 135-year tradition of exceptional service and quality. The company has also expanded its offering with Spectacle World at N1 City, ensuring accessible, quality eyecare across the greater Cape Town area.
“One aspect that has changed significantly in recent years,” says Peter Muller, CEO, “is the incredible range of options available to correct vision problems. Lenses are now thinner and lighter, while multifocal lenses are custom-designed to each customer’s visual parameters, making them easier to adapt to. Contact lenses are exceptionally comfortable and available for reading and astigmatism. In short, there’s a solution for every individual’s visual needs.”
ullers has always been a leader in both vision technology and style. It was the first to introduce fashion eyewear brands to Cape Town, including the legendary Ray-Ban sunglasses in the 1950s, a tradition that continues today with exclusive ranges from Oliver Peoples, Prada, and Paul Smith.
In an increasingly competitive market, Mullers has remained true to Joseph Muller’s founding principle of providing “Eyewear You Can Trust.” The practice offers excellent quality products at competitive prices, featuring spectacle lenses from Zeiss and contact lenses from Johnson & Johnson, assuring customers of both performance and value.
Brevan Robinson, Director of Mullers Optometrists, adds: “To this day, we empower Capetonians with the gift of vision so they can see their dreams come to life in full brilliance. Our approach goes beyond expert optometry to deliver personalised care defined by time-earned wisdom.”
Mullers Optometrists is also deeply committed to accessible eye care and has partnered with Shine Literacy for more than a decade. Through this partnership, Mullers supports children’s reading, writing, and speaking skills by ensuring they can see clearly in the classroom. “Each year during our Shine Week, we visit five partner government schools in Cape Town to conduct free eye examinations for Grade 1 learners and provide spectacles where needed,” says Robinson. “We also follow up with students up to Grade 7 who have previously received glasses or who are identified by teachers as needing assistance.”
In 2018, the company established the Mullers Gallery, curated by Deon Wessels, on the first floor of the Longmarket store. The gallery provides a vibrant and inspiring space where a new exhibition is showcased each month as part of the city’s First Thursdays initiative. Staying true to Mullers’ commitment to community and creativity, the space is offered free of charge to emerging artists, giving them a platform to exhibit their work and share their talent with the public.
Muller concludes: “As we celebrate 135 years, we’re reminded that while technology continues to transform our profession, our purpose remains the same – to help people see life clearly. Our history grounds us, but it’s our commitment to innovation and care that keeps us looking forward.”
Visit www.mullers.co.za for more info.
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Facebook: @mullersopt
Instagram: @mullersoptometrists
