Islander finds relief after decades of DIY spec fixes

An Island woman is celebrating a breakthrough after decades of adapting her own glasses to fit her face. Samantha Ackland, 55, was born without an ear and has undergone multiple reconstructive surgeries. But for the past 25 years, she’s faced a different challenge: finding glasses that actually fit.

Standard frames never sat properly, forcing Samantha to craft solutions using copper wire and her own ingenuity. “I’d always end up replacing one of the arms with wire so they wouldn’t fall off,” she said. “It was uncomfortable and frustrating.”

That changed during a recent visit to Newport optician, Catherine Kidd of Specsavers, who took time to listen and understand Samantha’s unique needs. “I’d never encountered this issue before,” said Catherine, “but I was determined to help. By learning how Samantha had adapted her glasses, I was able to visualise a bespoke solution.”

Using heat and precision bending, Catherine reshaped the frames to align perfectly with Samantha’s eye position and facial structure. The result was a comfortable, secure fit — without the need for DIY fixes.
“It’s the first time someone really listened,” said Samantha. “Now I can drive without worrying they’ll fall off. I actually enjoy wearing them.”

Catherine said the experience was deeply rewarding. “It reminded me how important it is to consider the whole person — not just their prescription. I’ll never forget Samantha, and I’m proud to have helped.”