Chandler's Ford
Branch Information
Rawlings is a known and trusted name in the area of Chandlers Ford having opened in 1984. Since 2013, we have been located in a modern, easy access store, prominent in the thriving Fryern Arcade. We offer hearing care as well as optical services, with wax removal available for adults and children aged 5 and over, custom ear plugs and free hearing tests.
Many of our customers are often recommended by friends, neighbours and family, probably owing to each customer having our individual attention. Our aim is to make each visit informative, rewarding and enjoyable.
We are lucky to have a great team of Optometrists: Lindsey, Katie, Kate and Kim who are really passionate about providing the best possible eyecare and advice for the whole family, offering OCT (Ocular Coherence Tomography) to adults for the earliest detection of eye conditions like macular degeneration and glaucoma and specialised tests for children. Myopia Management for short-sighted children is an area of specialty and we can supply both contact lens and spectacle treatments.
Supporting them is Debbie Heath, our Contact Lens Optician, who knows everything there is to know about contact lenses, which available for all ages, adults and children alike, they are comfortable and affordable to all. Whether it is part-time wear for sports or socialising, full-time wear or multifocal lenses you require, please call in & talk to us about the options available to you.
Our dispensing team, Inna, Pauline, Brooke and Yamini, have invaluable knowledge when it comes to frame styling and the best lenses to suit your lifestyle. We offer a wide range of frame styles to suit all budgets with the very latest of lens technology available to choose from. We are also privileged to stock Maui Jim sunglasses, which we believe really are the best when it comes to protecting your eyes from UV damage, lens technology and looking amazing.
In 2023, we launched our hearing care services. Our audiologist, Ryan has a wealth of knowledge, providing wax removal through micro-suction and free hearing assessments. If you need hearing aids, then Ryan will help you choose the right device for you that matches your needs, even a payment plan if required.
Why not pop by, meet our team, and see for yourself why our reputation has kept us in Chandlers Ford for 40 years!
Opening times
Monday to Friday: 08.30 - 17.30Saturday: 09.00 - 16.00
Manager
Inna-Rapatskaya FBDO I qualified in 2007 as a Dispensing Optician and my professional path has mainly been in the independent sector as this environment allows me to offer what I feel is important: the product ranges and time available to give the highest standards of advice. I have enjoyed the challenges of unusual optical needs of some of my clients and am always happy to find the best solutions for an individual’s needs. I love helping people and I also love learning about everything new in the science of optics.
I completed the Low Vision Therapy intensive course in 2013. The knowledge and skills I obtained through completing this course gave me the confidence to provide not only the dispensing of traditional optical goods, but also the ability to advise on all available solutions for different visual needs. Subsequently I have enjoyed close professional relationships with local hospitals, and my experiences in dispensing in this specialist area has been enriched with skills and knowledge in low vision aids.
Being in the environment of providing not only medical care but customer service, my years of experience have proved to me the importance of understanding the psychology of human behaviour. My interest in psychology (as well as optical disease and neurology) along with the importance of the mindset and it’s influence on the physical condition of the body led me to further studying. During the pandemic I used time available to complete a postgraduate degree in Psychology. An area of interest for me is the importance in everyone of maintaining good mental health and the awareness of relevance of this topic for all became more widespread during the pandemic.
Since 2023 I have been volunteering for Southampton Society of Blind, providing talks, trainings, and workshops about ocular diseases, visual aids and the importance of mental health. I love animals and nature. My best ways to recharge are the walks with my dog and gardening.
Optometrists / Contact Lens Opticians / Audiologists
Lindsey Higgins
BSc MCOptom
After graduating from Cardiff University in 2007 I completed my pre-registration year and started work in Salisbury, then moved to Fareham before joining Rawlings Opticians much closer to home in Chandlers Ford.
I enjoy all aspects of optometry and every day is varied. I have a particular interest in contact lenses as I enjoy the effect they have on patients’ lives and the freedom they can bring. Outside of the consulting room majority of my time is spent with my family and young daughter.
Kate Malam
BSc MCOptom
I now work 3 days a week at Rawlings travelling between 4 Hampshire branches which I enjoy very much. Each branch has its own personality and I enjoy the variety although of course I still get to see my regular patients at each branch.
I keep up to date with new developments in optometry by attending conferences, meetings and seminars which cover a wide variety of topics including contact lenses, UV protection, optometric technology and eye diseases.
On my days off I enjoy riding my horse, carriage driving, and walking my retired greyhound.
Debbie Heath
FBDO CL
Whilst I was there as a Customer Service Supervisor my interest in the clinical side of contact lenses grew and grew and I realised that I really wanted to work with the people wearing the lenses, rather than the people making the lenses!
I was able to gain my Dispensing Optician qualification whilst working at CIBA Vision, and this was the first step towards becoming a qualified Contact Lens Optician in 2003. I continued to work at CIBA Vision whilst also seeing patients in the "real world". Combining the two careers gave me a unique insight into the more technical side of lenses and enabled me to become involved in problem solving difficult cases. I eventually joined the Professional Services team offering advice to other contact lens opticians and Optometrists. However ultimately I decided my real enjoyment came from helping patients, so In May 2003 I joined Rawlings as a Dispensing and Contact Lens Optician, and currently work at the Hedge End and Winchester practices. I specialise in fitting multifocal contact lenses, and have a keen interest in myopia control and ortho keratology. I am also regularly involved in spectacle dispensing, and am happy to advise on low vision aids.
Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, particularly my young son, and I love to travel whenever the opportunity arises.
Kim Winyard
BSc MCOptom
I have a particular interest in testing children eyes with coloured overlays which can be used to help aid visual stress. I am calm and caring with children and adults alike. Outside of work most of my time is spent with my young children but I do enjoy the odd bit of pilates and playing badminton.
Katie Atkins
BSc MCOptom
I rely on my glasses completely and feel I can empathise with my patients in the same boat. I like to take time with each patient to ensure they are getting the best outcome for their sight and the health of their eyes.
Outside of work, I am an avid reader, and am currently trying to add bass guitar to the modest list of musical instruments I play.
Ryan Blake
MSHAA, RHAD
I decided I wanted to gain more knowledge and expertise - by this time I knew that audiology was where my future lay so I started my foundation degree in Hearing Aid Audiology at De Montfort University and graduated in 2021.
During the course my interest in hearing aid technology grew tremendously and my understanding and passing on the benefits that private hearing aids offer over NHS aids for my patients is my top priority. By working at Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care I can give patients more choice due to Rawlings being independent, so I am not restricted in my recommendations by being tied to a single manufacturer. This really allows me to offer the best advice and was the main reason for me choosing Rawlings opticians and hearing care to progress my audiology career.
I currently live in the town of Andover with my young family. I have a toddler who always keeps me busy so any hobbies I once had are now on hold.
Emma Perkis
HCA, MSHAA
During my HCA course, my passion for Audiology grew. One of my favourite things I learned was how to take impressions of the ear. I am excited to have my own clinics now and be an extra pair of helping hands for our growing Audiology team.
I have 2 sons, 1 dog, 3 cats – and 1 husband, all of whom keep me busy in my spare time.
Our Dispensing Team
Inna Rapatskaya FBDO (Manager)Pauline Herbert
Brooke Barnett-Dalmas
Yamini Parmar
Nearest car park
Within the Fryern Arcade. Please drive through the tunnel to the back car park for 2 hours of free parking. There is a longer stay car park nearby below ground at Waitrose.Nearest bus stops & routes
Bluestar 1, Community First 44Nearest train station
We are a twenty minute walk from Chandlers Ford railway stationNearest AED/Defibrillator
The Fryern Surgery **NOT WEEKENDS** (Fryern Surgery, Oakmount Rd SO53 2LH)Waitrose car park in the overflow by the disabled parking spaces on the wall. (Waitrose & Partners, 1 Oakmount Rd SO53 2LG)
Disabled access
Good access for wheelchairs through practice doors and into consulting roomMap
Out of hours eyecare for customers of the Chandlers Ford practice
There are occasions when emergency treatment is needed for the eyes. If you are concerned and it is outside of our opening hours there is an eye casualty department based at Southampton General Hospital which is open Monday to Friday. The phone number for advice to see if you require an urgent appointment at the hospital is 02381 206592. For more information click on this link.Outside of Eye Casualty opening hours call Casualty on 02380 777222, where an eye doctor is on-call for emergencies. Alternatively you can contact your GP to access their out of hours service or call 111 for further advice.
If you are not sure whether you need emergency attention click this link for further information. Click here for directions to the hospital.
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