McLeish Eyecare: In the heart of East Lothian for over 30 years

Caitlin Redden, optometrist

Originally from Aberdeenshire, Caitlin qualified as an optometrist in 2021 before spending four years working in a busy Edinburgh city centre practice. Although Aberdeenshire will always feel like home, the Lothians have long been the place she hoped to build her career, having worked in the city as a student while studying for her degree.

Optometry runs in Caitlin's family, with her being the third generation of optometrist. Following in the footsteps of her mother and grandfather, with an aunt who was also an optometrist and an uncle who owned his own practice, eye care has always been close to home. It offered her the perfect combination of science, problem solving and working closely with people.

Building relationships with patients is one of the most rewarding parts of Caitlin's job. She enjoys getting to know people, helping them achieve the best possible vision, and supporting them in maintaining healthy eyes throughout their lives. She believes every patient deserves to feel listened to and cared for, and always strives to provide a high standard of personalised care.

Clinically, Caitlin has a particular interest in acute eye care, diagnosing and managing urgent eye conditions, as well as fitting soft multifocal contact lenses, where finding the right solution can make a real difference to a patient's quality of life. She is also currently completing her Independent Prescribing qualification and is due to qualify later this year.

Outside of work, you'll often find Caitlin at the gym or out running. Trips back to Aberdeenshire are usually spent riding horses with her family, and she also enjoys cooking.

We are delighted to have Caitlin as part of the McLeish Eyecare team and know our patients will appreciate her friendly approach, clinical expertise and genuine passion for helping people look after their sight.

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Brian Montgomery, optometrist

Brian set up Montgomery Optometrists with his wife Karen in 1990. In 2024, his Musselburgh practice joined forces with neighbours I.J. McLeish, bringing together these two independent opticians. Soon they will unite under one roof in brand new premises on Bridge Street.

With experience in all areas of optometry, Brian has a particular interest in specialist contact lenses, including myopia management lenses which help children slow the progression of short-sightedness. He also has an active interest in the advances in sports vision, as well as visual stress.

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Helen Dick, practice manager

Practice manager, Helen Dick, has been with McLeish Eyecare for 14 years and has been instrumental in overseeing the smooth merger with Montgomery Optometrists. She has another 10 years experience as an optical assistant in Edinburgh so knows eyecare like the back of her hand. Super-stylish Helen, who was a hairdresser before she started her family, loves eyewear brands Woody and Wolf in particular.

Helen lives in Loanhead and when she’s not at work, she is kept busy with her three children, five grandchildren and her dog, a Cane Corso called Zeus, who is the size of a small pony! She loves spending time by the water, either at the beach or riverside, so she is grateful to spend so much time in East Lothian where she finds people are all so friendly.

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Gillian Montgomery, admin and optical assistant

Gillian joined Montgomery Optometrists over five years ago before the practice merged with McLeish Eyecare in 2024. Prior to her career in optics, she was the ward secretary on the transplant ward at The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The practice relies on Gillian’s organisation, knowledge and caring nature to ensure it runs smoothly.

She knows the patients incredibly well, and loves when they pop by for a hello. She feels lucky to have such friendly patients and also loves spending all day surrounded by some stunning eyewear, her favourite eyewear brands are Cocoa Mint and Calvin Klein.

She loves working in Musselburgh, enjoying the bustling community, as well as lunchtime walks along the beach and the River Esk. When she’s not in the practice, her five grandchildren and Springer Spaniel keep her busy and she also enjoys socialising with friends and family.

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Sheila Glynn, receptionist and optical assistant

Sheila G has been with the practice for nearly three decades. Her passion for working with people has meant she has nurtured some close relationships with patients and colleagues over the years. She knows Musselburgh like the back of her hand, and takes great pleasure in seeing familiar faces when they visit the practice for an appointment, or just for a friendly hello.

She cherishes the East Lothian coast in all seasons, come rain or shine, often treating herself to a delicious ice cream from Lucas when she’s passing. And when she’s not wandering along the stunning beaches, she enjoys swimming and socialising.

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Sheila Henderson, Optical assistant

With two Sheilas in the practice, things can sometimes get confusing! Sheila H has been with the practice for nearly two decades. Before that she enjoyed life as a bus driver so knows the Lothians better than most. Very different careers but both allow her to meet all different types of people and listen to their stories, which is her passion. She loves when patients stop for a natter.

When not in the practice, she enjoys the peace of doing jigsaws, swimming and spending time with her active grandchildren. She also enjoys walks in and around Musselburgh, where there are so many different routes you can take, from covering a chunk of the John Muir Way along the coast, to a wander along the banks of the Esk, or embracing local history with a wander around one of the many historical estates.

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Emma Brogan, Optical assistant

We were delighted to welcome Emma when we moved to our brand new premises at 8 Bridge Street. After gaining a BA (Hons) in English and Film, a series of sliding door moments led Emma to pursue a career in optics. Prior to joining the McLeish Eyewear team, she worked for a high street opticians as part of the surgery team assisting in performing cataract and laser eye surgeries. She is thriving in the new practice, getting to know our lovely patients, and our fab new eyewear brands, and has slotted in very well to the team.

In her spare time she can be found in the terraces watching her football team, or in the kitchen baking up some delights, which we hope to sample in the practice very soon. She’s finding being so close to Luca’s quite dangerous and often pops by on her lunch break.

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