70 years after its inception, tied to a small family pharmacy in Lamego, Parente Óptica Médica continues to be synonymous with care, trust, and closeness. Francisco Parente recalls the early days when he would accompany his father in a space where every customer was treated like family. Today, alongside his nephews Tiago and Ricardo, he sees that very same spirit alive—strengthened by innovation and technology—in a journey that proves true vision is not just in the eyes, but in the heart of those who never stopped caring for others. This legacy was recognized with the ÓpticaPro Award 2026 in the Longevity category, honoring Parente Óptica Médica for its remarkable contribution to the optics sector in Portugal.

Francisco, when you look back at these 70 years of history, what is the first memory that comes to mind from the old Óptica Parente, back when it was still connected to the family pharmacy?

I was born into Óptica Parente 70 years ago, and the first memory that comes to mind is that of a very welcoming, family-oriented space on Almacave Street in Lamego. That is where it all began, with great dedication and a spirit of service, and where I would accompany my father every single day. The optics shop was born alongside the family pharmacy at a time when healthcare services in the region were very scarce, and customer service was highly personalized and built on trust.

I remember watching my father assist each customer with immense care. Many of them faced severe economic hardships, yet they were never denied the visual care they needed. It fills me with pride when, even today, many people still praise and express gratitude for the healthcare provided by my parents, both at the optics shop and the pharmacy.

And how would you describe the founder’s entrepreneurial spirit at a time when the optics sector in Portugal was so different from what it is today?

It was a truly pioneering spirit. In an era when access to vision care was a privilege for the few, he felt he had a duty to act. He managed to be ahead of his time, recognizing that visual health was a fundamental piece of people’s quality of life and that our region needed a technical, accessible response. More than just opening an optics department connected to Farmácia Parente, he brought solutions to a population that often didn’t even know they could see better. This commitment to social utility is the very foundation that sustains Parente Óptica Médica to this day.

You have navigated through decades of major social and economic shifts in Portugal. Which moments were the most challenging, and how did you manage to remain relevant?

Over these seven decades, we have faced several demanding periods, from shifts in the economic landscape and consumer patterns to the arrival of increasingly fierce competition in the sector. More recently, challenges like the financial crisis and the pandemic tested our resilience in very concrete ways.

I believe the secret to our relevance has been our capacity to adapt, undoubtedly, but above all, it has been the bond and trust we established with those who seek us out. During the toughest times, the community knew that Parente Óptica Médica would keep its doors open and remain true to its values. This commitment and the closeness we foster allow our customers to feel at home, regardless of the political or economic climate.

Read the full interview in ÓpticaPro 276: https://codigopro.pt/assinaturas/opticapro-276-ultima-edicao/