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
Sara Shipway FBDO
I started with Rawlings as a shy eighteen year old, working on reception in Winchester. I quickly discovered that I could have an interesting and challenging career at Rawlings and enrolled on the course to become a Dispensing Optician. The course structure was comprised of home study plus one day a week in London for 3 years.
I love being an optician. I really enjoy chatting to all patients and completing the course gave me the technical depth of knowledge to give the very best advice on lens types and frames to help our patients to look their best and have the clearest vision possible. I also have my career at Rawlings to thank for introducing me to my husband – Tim Shipway who has also been a part of the Rawlings ‘family’ for many years. In 2015, I was promoted to the role of practice manager at the Hedge End branch. The people of Hedge End were very welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibilities of management. I am now excited to be managing Chandlers Ford, taking over from Chris Hobbs (who has moved to manage our Winchester branch). In my spare time, I run around after our two lovely young daughters, Isla and Annabelle – spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible.
I love being an optician. I really enjoy chatting to all patients and completing the course gave me the technical depth of knowledge to give the very best advice on lens types and frames to help our patients to look their best and have the clearest vision possible. I also have my career at Rawlings to thank for introducing me to my husband – Tim Shipway who has also been a part of the Rawlings ‘family’ for many years. In 2015, I was promoted to the role of practice manager at the Hedge End branch. The people of Hedge End were very welcoming and I thoroughly enjoyed the responsibilities of management. I am now excited to be managing Chandlers Ford, taking over from Chris Hobbs (who has moved to manage our Winchester branch). In my spare time, I run around after our two lovely young daughters, Isla and Annabelle – spending as much time in the great outdoors as possible.
Optometrists / Contact Lens Opticians / Audiologists
Lindsey Higgins
BSc MCOptom
I chose my career in optometry at the tender age of 17. It was my enjoyment of maths, physics and biology that lead me down the path of becoming an optometrist. As most of my family wear spectacles it was only a matter of time before I would too and that time came whilst studying for my degree in optometry (I mostly wear contact lenses these days). Read more...
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.
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 qualified at City University in Islington in 1991 then worked in London for 11 years. After I got married and had children, we moved to Winchester, where I got a job with Rawlings working on Saturdays.
Read more...
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.
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
My first job after leaving college was with Whitbread's Brewery working in customer services, but after five years an opportunity arose to work at CIBA Vision (now Alcon), a contact lens manufacturer.
Read more...
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.
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 qualified in 2008 and I joined Rawlings Opticians in 2010 after taking a career break to fulfil a lifelong ambition to be a chalet girl for a ski season in the French Alps. I worked solely at the Winchester practice until 2015 when I went on maternity leave after having my first baby, a girl called Abigail. On returning to work I continued to see patients in Winchester and also worked at Alresford and Chandlers Ford. My second child was born in 2017, Harriet, another girl! Back from maternity leave, I am currently based at Chandlers Ford branch.
Read more...
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.
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 have worn glasses since the age of 7 and this, combined with having a father and grandfather who were dispensing opticians, sparked my interest in Optometry. I studied Optometry at Cardiff University and graduated in 2016. I initially worked for a large multiple optician group, before moving to Rawlings to experience a different optics environment. Read more...
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.
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
My audiology career started in 2014 at a large chain of opticians where I was initially employed in the optical side of the business, however I quickly realised I was more interested in ears than eyes. I embarked on the hearing care assistant course, and was soon trained to program hearing aids, complete hearing assessments, and manage the aftercare of hearing aids. Read more...
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.
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
I have been working in Optics for 24 years and am a Dispensing Assistant in our Winchester branch. I was first involved in Audiology around 10 years ago when I worked for a multiple opticians where I enjoyed learning to carry out hearing aid repairs and other related tasks, so when Rawlings announced they were going to merge Hearing Care into the business I was thrilled! I had moved to working to Rawlings in 2022 as I knew an independent opticians would give me wider experience and more time to build a relationship with my patients and be part of a close-knit team, so the launch of hearing care here was the cherry on the cake for me. Read more...
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.
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, Xelabus X7 or X6 from EastleighNearest 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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