Comment: Lights, camera, action...

Optics went to Hollywood on Saturday night and achieved top billing (see News), but the night also proved to be a celebration of the strength in depth of UK optical retailing.

It was with no small amount of trepidation that I drew a parallel between the optical retailing business and Hollywood at the Awards - but I needn't have worried. The analogy (see Comment, March 20) was not one of escapism or hiding from recession but one of learning from an industry that uses creativity and risk to its advantage. Harnessing creativity and taking risks were also the skills our shortlisted finalists all shared. Providing imaginative care and doing things their patients wanted them to do, not taking crazy risks or turning their practices into art galleries but having the courage of their convictions.