Long Island Opticians is the realization of a dream.
My father, Alfred E. Santini, was a optician. Born and trained into an era where learning a skilled trade was equivalent to going to a 10 years of school. You progressed from apprentice to journeyman to master optician, but only if your mentor certified you had all the requisite skills, and professional judgment. When I told my Dad that I wanted to “go into the business,” he first discouraged me. Why? Because he wanted me to be a doctor, specifically an optometrist. But I wanted to work with my hands, in a skilled craft environment. Now there’s nothing wrong with being an eye doctor, but I knew what I wanted to do: I wanted to personally make, fit and style eyewear with my own hands.
In February 1984, with two of my classmates from optical school, Robert Meyrowitz and Ralph Tisdale, I opened Long Island Opticians here in Seaford. It’s been wonderful and rewarding experience.
Looking back, and even though I went to school while my Dad did not, he was right: It took me about 10+ years to really master the craft of making and dispensing eyewear.
Together with my long time friends, we’re ready to help you “Look Your Best.”
Barry E. Santini – 51 years experience
- New York State Licensed Optician and Contact Lens Fitter
- American Board of Opticianry Certified
- American Board of Opticianry Avanced Certification
- American Board of Opticianry Certified Master Optician
- National Lecturer and Speaker
- Contributing Author to 20/20 Magazine, Lens and Technology Magazine and
- Recipient of the New York State Society of Dispensing Opticians Lifetime Achievement Award