In Conversation with Mike Makras
Community
September 19, 2025
Take Me Home, James St Roads
James St (JS), Mike Makras (MM)
Michael Makras, known affectionately as Mike, first brought his optometry expertise to James St in 2012 when he opened the second location of his already much-loved practice, Optiko.
In 2020, Optiko underwent a corporate buyout and with-it Mike found himself having to slowly say goodbye to the community he’d built around him. But it’s not all doom and gloom because after five years Mike is now back doing business the way he likes – independently and on James St!
Following the opening of Makras Optical, we re-acquainted ourselves with the long-time local that is Mike Makras, chatting all things design, aesthetic inspiration, eye care top tips, and wisdom for the younger generation.
JS: After a brief hiatus away post-selling Optiko, you’re now back to business on James St. What does it mean to be back in the area and what drew you back to James St?
MM: It’s great to be back and part of the community again. I love the area, and the village feel. Being able to offer a personalized experience for our clients has always been my priority. Being an independent business again makes me very happy; it’s been incredibly reassuring that my clients have followed me back.
JS: From your perspective, how has James St evolved in the last decade since you first set up shop?
MM: When I first set up over 10 years ago, the area was still a building site and a new emerging area. Once The Calile opened, everything changed. The precinct is now firmly established as one of Australia’s unique lifestyle precincts – it’s like no other.
JS: When we last caught up in 2020, you described what was then Optiko, as unique, evolving and surprising. In three words again, how would you now describe Makras Optical?
MM: Innovative, authentic and visionary.
JS: This is now your second time working with architects Richards & Spence to bring your store to life – tell us about the process this time around.
MM: The main brief was to make the eyewear the hero, which has been executed and I’m super happy with the final design. I’m always drawn to mid/late 1970's office interior design – officecore if you will – but the eyewear really is the star this time.
JS: From your cobalt blue Le Labourer jacket and bright red Vespa to Makras Optical’s curated range of eyewear, it’s clear that you’ve got an eye (pun intended) for style. Where did your sense of style and taste come from?
MM: That’s very nice of you! I’m always inspired by European mid-century design and block colours, so I really find inspiration in a range of different creative outlets and media. Our new exam room, for example, was actually inspired, partially by my blue Le Labourer jacket of course, but also by the aesthetics of the tv series Severance. I wanted the room to feel very much distinct from the rest of the store and luckily Richards and Spence really let me play with this space, so I've gone with this hyper clinical vibe with a lot of those iconic blues integrated throughout.
JS: Makras Optical prides itself not only on its range of exquisite, artisan crafted frames but also on its commitment to providing state-of-the-art analysis and eye testing technology. How has this technology changed over time and how does it inform your practice?
MM: The technology is what I’m most excited about. Its allowed optometrists to see and diagnose much easier and with a more assured methodology. It’s just so much more definitive.
JS: With many of us spending an increasing amount of time looking at screens, can you give us three simple tips for taking care of our eye health in this digital age?
MM: 1. Definitely get your eyes fully examined by an optometrist every 2 years - that’s so important
2. Minimize screen time (we all know it but are more and more guilty of “screen time crime”)
3. Have screens, whether they are handheld or desktop, just that little bit further away. It’s a simple but really very powerful change that you can make
JS: Casting our minds back again to 2020, you said that the part of the job you love most is solving people’s problems. What makes you so passionate about what you do?
MM: I love solutions. I love helping people find what they didn’t know they wanted.
JS: You’ve now amassed over 35 years in optometry, what’s one piece of advice you’d give to any young optometrists starting out now?
MM: Gosh, that number! Optometry has changed a lot since Expo 88 – be open to change, find the particular aspect of optometry you love and drill down on that, and you gotta really like people.
JS: Now for some quick fire frame favourites - acetate or wire? Round or square? Oversized or undersized?
MM: This is like picking a favourite child! I could never!
JS: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
MM: I’m just so grateful to be back and seeing old and new clients alike in this vibrant precinct.
Want to get to know Mike even better? Read our previous conversation together here.
