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 flames or perfecting your lenses, we know how to determine what you need and execute on it.
Historically Great Service
- 1918
“Mac” Starts His Optical Career
Mac, Drake and Cliff McLean’s grandfather, began his career in the optical...“Mac” Starts His Optical Career
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.
- 1938
Dietz-McLean Optical Founded
The practice you know today as Dietz-McLean Optical goes way back but...Dietz-McLean Optical Founded
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!
- 1941
The McLeans Contribute to The War Effort
When the U.S. entered WWII, each soldier was assigned two pairs of...The McLeans Contribute to The War Effort
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.
- 1961
Jim McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
The son of “Mac,” Jim McLean would eventually rise to the position...Jim McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
1961The son of “Mac,” Jim McLean would eventually rise to the position of Chairman.
- 1974
Our Temple Location Opens
One of our earlier expansions, Temple serves clients to this day.Our Temple Location Opens
1974One of our earlier expansions, Temple serves clients to this day.
- 1982
Refocusing on Retail
As we expanded, we were faced with a choice: continue our wholesale...Refocusing on Retail
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.
- 1982
Drake McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
The son of Jim and grandson of “Mac,” Drake has worked his...Drake McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
1982The son of Jim and grandson of “Mac,” Drake has worked his way up to be Dietz-McLean Optical’s President.
- 1985
We Instate the Region’s First Official Warranty Policy
While we’ve always been flexible about returns and repairs, a “peer review”...We Instate the Region’s First Official Warranty Policy
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.
- 1987
Our Bitters Road Location Opens
The 80s saw a lot of growth for us, including this new...Our Bitters Road Location Opens
1987The 80s saw a lot of growth for us, including this new office.
- 1989
Introducing Doctors to Optical
We’ve had relationships with eye doctors since the very beginning, but 1989...Introducing Doctors to Optical
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.
- 1989
Our Lincoln Heights Location Opens
Lincoln Heights was our first effort to find a location in direct...Our Lincoln Heights Location Opens
1989Lincoln Heights was our first effort to find a location in direct response to a local doctor’s demand.
- 1994
Upgrading Our Lens Lab
We always try to be at the forefront of the eyewear industry...Upgrading Our Lens Lab
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.
- 1995
Cliff McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Drake’s brother, Cliff, joins the family business and later advances to become...Cliff McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
1995Drake’s brother, Cliff, joins the family business and later advances to become Vice President.
- 1999
Our Stone Oak Location Opens
We decided to start the next millennium on the right foot with...Our Stone Oak Location Opens
1999We decided to start the next millennium on the right foot with a brand-new optical shop.
- 2008
Changing How We Approach Lenses
In the late 2000s, eyewear manufacturers began to move away from polycarbonate...Changing How We Approach Lenses
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.
- 2008
Our Boerne Location Opens
Along with major shifts in our approach to lenses, we expanded into...Our Boerne Location Opens
2008Along with major shifts in our approach to lenses, we expanded into Boerne.
- 2011
We Move into Our Current Location
Sizing up our locations, we made the decision to establish our current...We Move into Our Current Location
2011Sizing up our locations, we made the decision to establish our current primary location to serve our customers more conveniently.
- 2014
Our Marble Falls Location Opens
As glasses and specialty lenses grew in popularity, we continued to expand...Our Marble Falls Location Opens
2014As glasses and specialty lenses grew in popularity, we continued to expand to serve more communities.
- 2014
Zach McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
Son of Drake, Zach McLean enters the fold and quickly earns his...Zach McLean Starts at Dietz-McLean Optical
2014Son of Drake, Zach McLean enters the fold and quickly earns his role as General Manager.
- 2021
Return of the Lens Lab
Thanks to recent advances in technology, we were able to open our...Return of the Lens Lab
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.
- The Future
Taking Care of The Customer
Dietz-McLean Optical has changed dramatically over the years, but our values and...Taking Care of The Customer
The FutureDietz-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!
See What Our
Customers are Saying
“They have excellent customer service and are extremely patient! I probably asked them to adjust my glasses close to a million times. There is a great selection of frames too!”
Allegra Z.
“Mr Dietz is a very sweet and kind man,my insurance didn’t cover my 5 yr olds glasses so he worked with me and gave us an amazing deal! He definitely puts his clients 1st!!”
Brandi B.
“Superb service goes with the superb products available! Though I have only been going there for a little more than a year, Dietz-McLean will get my future spectacle business!”
– John Y.
“They have excellent customer service and are extremely patient! I probably asked them to adjust my glasses close to a million times. There is a great selection of frames too!”
Allegra Z.
“Mr Dietz is a very sweet and kind man,my insurance didn’t cover my 5 yr olds glasses so he worked with me and gave us an amazing deal! He definitely puts his clients 1st!!”
Brandi B.
“Superb service goes with the superb products available! Though I have only been going there for a little more than a year, Dietz-McLean will get my future spectacle business!”
– John Y.