Asgar Optometrist has long been recognized as one of the pioneers of eye care in Fiji, proudly serving the nation since its establishment in 1957.
Founded by DR Asad Ali Asgar, the company began with a clear mission: to make high-quality, accessible eye care available to every Fijian. The current proprietor Mr Rahat Ali Asgar joined the business in 1965 and took over the management on demise of his brother .
At a time when optical services were limited and modern equipment was scarce, Rahat Ali Asgar introduced a new level of professionalism and innovation to the field. One of the company’s earliest achievements was becoming the first in Fiji to launch in-house manufacturing of optical lenses.
This milestone significantly improved waiting times, reduced dependence on overseas suppliers, and allowed for more affordable pricing without compromising on quality. It also positioned Asgar
Optometrist as a leader in the region’s optical industry, setting standards that many others would later follow.
A new phase of growth began in 2021, when Mr. Vidhya Lakhan took on the role of General Manager. Under his leadership, Asgar Optometrist has modernised all four of its branches—Ba, Lautoka,
Nadi, and Suva. West branches have been relocated to a better, more accessible location and given a fresh, modern look to enhance customer experience.
Alongside these improvements, Mr. Lakhan has guided the company through one of its most important technological upgrades: an investment of over FJD 500,000 in state-of-the-art lens manufacturing systems from Coburn Technologies, a global leader in optical equipment.
This major investment has transformed the company’s production capabilities. The new Coburn lab allows for superior-quality lenses, faster turnaround times, and more precise manufacturing results.
Customers benefit from improved efficiency, reduced waiting periods, and consistent accuracy in their prescriptions. From its humble beginnings in 1957 to its technologically advanced and newly modernised branches today, the company remains dedicated to improving vision and enhancing the quality of life for all Fijians. With modern equipment, experienced professionals, and decades of trust, Asgar Optometrist continues to serve as a proud leader in the nation’s optical industry.
Mr Lakhan said that “With the view of being at the forefront in providing much needed better eye care services to the people of Fiji, we have spent close to a million dollars in modernising all our Clinics.
We have invested heavily in replacing our outdated equipment with modern state of the art machines from renowned suppliers of optical equipment. Currently we employ four very experienced and highly qualified Optometrists from India and Nepal.
We have a fifth Optometrist joining us, hopefully, in the new year to give us much needed boost in taking our “Eye Care” services to the next level”
