The Shop

This establishment is well known in its field of activity and it is even a reference in the handmade production of eye prostheses, acknowledged by clinical specialists as being of high technical and artistic quality. It is noteworthy that it was one of the first shops to commercialise pioneering technology equipment and products, such as polarised lenses.

Shop History

Retina Optics was founded in 1949 and it owes its origin to a barber, who worked as public relations. The story is told by the historian and writer, Hélder Pacheco, who reports this episode in a book he wrote about the merchants of Porto. Mr. José Cotta was looking for a partner to provide the capital for the opening of the business and mentioned this demand to his barber in Rua do Bonjardim. The barber shop was attended by Mr. Carlos Luís Costa, an entrepreneur and capitalist, who learned of this business opportunity through the mouth of the barber. It should be noted that the barber in question was the grandfather of the aforementioned historian. The company opened with six partners and remains in the family of its founders, the current managing partner being Mr. Carlos Luís Costa’s grandson. The interior architecture has undergone some alterations, adjusting to the needs of the market, in the sense of its modernisation, but an original exhibitor has been kept in the commercial area and some optical equipment (some still in use) in the workshop area. The exterior architecture has kept its original design, and the original signs and shop window can be seen. The speciality has been maintained since the beginning, with the commercialisation of optical products, also making the adaptation of conventional contact lenses; they have their own production in the execution of ocular prosthesis, artificial iris and anti-ptosis mechanisms.

Products and Services

Optical products.

Business Hours

Additional information:

Closed on Sundays.

Contacts

Parish: União das freguesias de Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória
Address: Rua Sampaio Bruno 12 A , 4000-439 Porto
Postal Code: 4000-439 Porto
222006039
ljorge@teresajorge.com
https://www.retinaoptica.pt/

General Data

Main activity: Health, wellness and beauty
Opening Year: 1949
Main Code of Economic Activity (CAE): 47782