Your Local Glasses People for Over 80 Years
Eyeglasses mean a lot to our family: they’re a precision tool you rely on every day. They’re your most-worn fashion statement. And they’ve been the keystone of our family business for over 80 years.
Simply put, we’re frames fanatics — and we have the know-how and work ethic to find you a pair that fits perfectly, looks incredible and makes you fall in love with eyewear too.
Our Mission
Our Roots Run Deep
The eyewear industry has evolved a lot since Dietz-McLean Optical opened its doors in 1938, but one thing that hasn’t changed is our commitment to providing exceptional eyeglasses for our neighbors. Our family’s history in lens manufacturing and opticianry has provided us with decades of unmatched experience — whether we’re selecting your most flattering frames or perfecting your lenses, we know how to determine what you need and execute on it.
Historically Great Service
- Jun 1918
“Mac” Starts His Optical Career
“Mac” Starts His Optical Career
June 11, 1918Mac, Drake and Cliff McLean’s grandfather, began his career in the optical industry as a delivery boy for the American Optical Company at the young age of 13. He was introduced to the field by his older brother, Edward, who was working in a lens lab.
- Jun 1938
Dietz-McLean Optical Founded
Dietz-McLean Optical Founded
June 13, 1938The practice you know today as Dietz-McLean Optical goes way back but has always been at home in San Antonio. Our customer-first focus and commitment to quality eyewear started here, with a lens lab from day one!
- Mar 1941
The McLeans Contribute to The War Effort
The McLeans Contribute to The War Effort
March 10, 1941When the U.S. entered WWII, each soldier was assigned two pairs of glasses. “Mac” ran a large lens-production operation and was one of the first to hire women into the optical industry.
- May 1961
Jim McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Jim McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
May 18, 1961The son of “Mac,” Jim McLean would eventually rise to the position of Chairman.
- Jun 1974
Our Temple Location Opens
Our Temple Location Opens
June 27, 1974One of our earlier expansions, Temple serves clients to this day.
- Jun 1982
Refocusing on Retail
Refocusing on Retail
June 17, 1982As we expanded, we were faced with a choice: continue our wholesale business to serve more people or focus on retail and our local communities. We chose the latter, recommitting to taking care of our customers first.
- Aug 1982
Drake McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Drake McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
August 24, 1982The son of Jim and grandson of “Mac,” Drake has worked his way up to be Dietz-McLean Optical’s President.
- Mar 1985
We Instate the Region’s First Official Warranty Policy
We Instate the Region’s First Official Warranty Policy
March 13, 1985While we’ve always been flexible about returns and repairs, a “peer review” session with our industry peers made us feel we could do better by getting something on the books. So, we put in writing the warranties and services that would eventually become our Fair Value Plan.
- Jul 1987
Our Bitters Road Location Opens
Our Bitters Road Location Opens
July 17, 1987The 80s saw a lot of growth for us, including this new office.
- Mar 1989
Introducing Doctors to Optical
Introducing Doctors to Optical
March 30, 1989We’ve had relationships with eye doctors since the very beginning, but 1989 marked the first year we opened a retail location in direct response to a doctor’s needs. Since then, we have worked with doctors to get our clients exceptional eye exams and give their patients standout eyewear.
- Sep 1989
Our Lincoln Heights Location Opens
Our Lincoln Heights Location Opens
September 28, 1989Lincoln Heights was our first effort to find a location in direct response to a local doctor’s demand.
- Sep 1994
Upgrading Our Lens Lab
Upgrading Our Lens Lab
September 21, 1994We always try to be at the forefront of the eyewear industry trends, and that’s why we decided to lean into polycarbonate lenses. While many practices started to offer these durable yet light lenses, we were among the first in the country to make them our standard lens offering.
- Jul 1995
Cliff McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Cliff McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
July 20, 1995Drake’s brother, Cliff, joins the family business and later advances to become Vice President.
- Sep 1999
Our Stone Oak Location Opens
Our Stone Oak Location Opens
September 16, 1999We decided to start the next millennium on the right foot with a brand-new optical shop.
- Nov 2008
Changing How We Approach Lenses
Changing How We Approach Lenses
November 20, 2008In the late 2000s, eyewear manufacturers began to move away from polycarbonate into a range of other materials. We made the difficult decision, but one that we stand by, to use larger lens labs with access to these advanced technologies until we could adopt their production at scale.
- Nov 2008
Our Boerne Location Opens
Our Boerne Location Opens
November 20, 2008Along with major shifts in our approach to lenses, we expanded into Boerne.
- Nov 2011
We Move into Our Current Location
We Move into Our Current Location
November 30, 2011Sizing up our locations, we made the decision to establish our current primary location to serve our customers more conveniently.
- Jan 2014
Our Marble Falls Location Opens
Our Marble Falls Location Opens
January 25, 2014As glasses and specialty lenses grew in popularity, we continued to expand to serve more communities.
- Jan 2014
Zach McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Zach McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
January 25, 2014Son of Drake, Zach McLean enters the fold and quickly earns his role as General Manager.
- Jul 2021
Return of the Lens Lab
Return of the Lens Lab
July 23, 2021Thanks to recent advances in technology, we were able to open our new-and-improved lens lab: not only does this allow us to produce some of the industry’s leading lenses and lens treatments at scale, but we can also provide more personalized lenses than larger manufacturers without being beholden to their policies, limiting vision plans, or turnaround times.
- Jul 2022
Taking Care of The Customer
Taking Care of The Customer
July 2, 2022Dietz-McLean Optical has changed dramatically over the years, but our values and core services have withstood the test of time — and will continue to. We don’t know of any company that goes to the lengths that we do, and have gone throughout our history, to make sure our customers love their glasses.
If we know how to fix a problem, if we see a way to improve, if there’s something more we can do for you — we just do it. That’s our family’s legacy, and what you can expect from us for decades to come.
Convenient Referrals
Want new glasses but need an updated prescription? We connect patients with reliable, local eye doctors through our convenient referral network. Our family has worked with these doctors for years and can vouch for their expertise — bringing you that much closer to healthy vision in frames you love.
Save 25% On a Pair of Sunglasses: Join Our Mailing List!
Customers are Saying
