The striking interior of Hofstede Optiek on the Hoogstraat already has something of a futuristic feel to it, but the latest addition to the family business looks as though it has landed straight from another planet. “This is the Zeiss Visufit 1000 — though that probably won’t mean much to most people,” says a proud Norbert Hofstede, standing beside the towering white machine in the measurement studio at the back of the shop. “It allows us to determine the exact position of the lenses in the chosen frame with extraordinary precision. There’s really nothing else like it.”

All the customer has to do is stand at the correct distance and look straight ahead. Nine cameras, capturing a full 180-degree image, then take over. “Within seconds, the system creates countless images with a staggering 45 million measuring points,” Norbert explains. “The result is a complete digital avatar. To give you an idea: it can measure the distance between the corneas to within a tenth of a millimetre. Combined with the angle of the frame, that information allows the lenses to be crafted with incredible accuracy.”

Norbert and Marloes Hofstede in their shop, where innovation and craftsmanship come together.

Hofstede has been working with the advanced system for over a year now. Marloes Hofstede remembers just how much work went into installing it. “We actually had to move an entire wall on the mezzanine floor to fit it in,” she laughs. Still, she feels the results more than justify the effort. “We now see even fewer people struggling to adapt to new lenses, which is brilliant. People can look through the glasses in the most natural way possible.”

Prevention first

When it comes to prevention, Hofstede Optiek is equally ahead of the game. “There’s growing awareness around slowing down and preventing the development of myopia in children,” says Norbert, himself a qualified optometrist. “Even in the early stages — or before symptoms properly appear — we can measure the axial length of the eye in young children. If we notice deviations from the normal values, we can now offer treatment options.” Working closely alongside ophthalmologists, the team can support therapies involving atropine eye drops, which help slow down eye growth. Hofstede itself provides specially developed lenses and contact lenses that create a slightly blurred image in the peripheral retina, reducing the stimulus for the eye to elongate further.

“The long-term benefits are significant,” Norbert says. “Limiting the progression of myopia also lowers the risk of serious eye conditions later in life, such as retinal detachment or bleeding.”

A modern epidemic

And it is increasingly relevant. “Thirty years ago, around 25 per cent of adults were short-sighted. These days it’s already closer to 50 per cent here, and in parts of Asia it’s as high as 70 to 80 per cent. It really has become an epidemic,” Norbert concludes. “A lot of it comes down to spending too much time looking at screens. The well-known 20-20-2 rule genuinely helps: every twenty minutes of close-up work, spend twenty seconds looking into the distance, and make sure children spend at least two hours outdoors every day.”

Still, eyewear is about more than eye health alone. Glasses have become a genuine fashion accessory — something that reflects personality and style. “Eyewear trends move just like fashion trends,” Marloes explains. “At the moment we’re seeing lots of retro-inspired styles, natural tones and transparent crystal shades.” One of the brand’s biggest success stories remains Tom Ford. “The frames are bold yet elegant, with the subtle T-shaped detail at the hinge. Alongside the standard collection, we now also carry the more luxurious Tom Ford Icon collection. Norbert and I both wear them ourselves.”

Smart Glasses

While classic names like Chanel remain timeless favourites, the days of stocking every major fashion label are long gone. “People are moving away from oversized logos and flashy branding,” Marloes says. “There’s much more interest now in designer labels such as Lindberg, Mykita, Cutler & Gross and Suzy Glam.” Alongside high-end designer sunglasses, classics like Ray-Ban remain firmly in the collection too. “We’ve recently introduced the Meta Glasses, which can also be fitted with prescription lenses here.”

Norbert disappears briefly to fetch his own pair. “Hey Meta, take a picture,” he says as he returns — and instantly the small light flashes as the camera snaps a photo. Through the Meta app, the image appears on his phone seconds later. The glasses can also record video, handle video calls and play music, all while looking reassuringly familiar and understated. James Bond would probably approve. “I took them skiing recently,” Norbert says. “The footage from the slopes was incredibly sharp. Soon the same technology will also appear in sports glasses by Oakley.” He believes smart glasses are only just beginning. “As soon as we mentioned them in our newsletter earlier this year, people started pre-ordering them. There’s definitely a market for it. It’s exciting to move into the future this way.”

Independent spirit

And what about the future of Hofstede itself, after two decades of Norbert and Marloes at the helm?“We’ve built a strong, stable team and we’re still growing,” says Norbert. “A big part of that comes from remaining independent. Unlike many competitors, we’re not backed by private equity or a large chain — and customers notice the difference.”Marloes adds: “At the same time, we’re both in our mid-fifties now. Since our children don’t plan to take over the business, we are thinking carefully about how Hofstede Optiek could continue in the long run. Thankfully, that’s not something we need to worry about just yet.”

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