In South Africa the profession of optometry was initiated and established as a result of J.L. Saks’s successful legal defence in a historic court action in 1931 after a court case was brought against him for charging a fee for carrying out an eye examination. On appeal, the court ruled in favour of J.L. Saks, thereby making it legal for optometrists to charge professional fees. The Rex versus Saks became a corner stone of optometric legislation in South Africa and, subsequently, many parts of the Western World.
With this great example set by their father it is hardly surprising that J.L.´s sons, Brian and Sidney, followed in his footsteps to the extent that both were also presidents of the South African Optometric Association and each was awarded Honorary Life Presidency of this body. Both also served as chairman and members of the Professional Board of Optometry on the Medical and Dental Council. Sidney’s son in law, Peter Brauer, also a past president of the SAOA, continues to play an active role in optometric politics to this day. Sidney continued to practice until late in 2016 when he decided to finally retire after an astounding 66 years in practice! Vincent Taylor joined the practice in 1969 followed by Peter Brauer in 1978 and Margaret Salmon (Beckwith) in 1979.