Buchanan Optometrists

Buchanan Optometrists Kents most awarded optician. Voted Optometrist of the year, Independent practice, Technology practice and Individualised lens practice of the year

Nestled in the small community of Snodland, Kent, lies an unexpected powerhouse of ophthalmic excellence. Husband and wife team Alisdair and Kathryn Buchanan have been shortlisted in the top five for the National Optician Awards every year since 2008, and in 2012 they won the highly prestigious UK National Optician Award for Premium lens Practice of the year, 2013 saw them winning The UK National Optician Award for Technology Practice. As you might expect from this, their optometry practice boasts state of the art equipment, the finest lenses and best measuring systems available, but the real key to their success is simple- good old fashioned caring for the customer. Experts in the early detection of eye disease, they have the most modern equipment to support that expertise. Patients travel from all over the South of England for their expert opinion and beautiful spectacles. Once people experience Buchanan's level of care and service, they never want to go back to a cheap high street optician!

Kids don’t always say “I can’t see” - they just get tired, squint, avoid reading, or complain of headaches.Many children...
27/02/2026

Kids don’t always say “I can’t see” - they just get tired, squint, avoid reading, or complain of headaches.

Many children compensate well for vision changes, so problems can build quietly until schoolwork or confidence is affected.

Our children’s eye checks are relaxed, thorough, and designed to pick up early focusing issues and strain before they become bigger problems.

📞 Call 01634 757227 to book a children’s eye test

🌐 www.optometrists.co.uk

26/02/2026

If your eye test is overdue, this is your gentle nudge to get it booked.

A proper eye examination isn’t just about updating glasses - it’s about checking your eye health, including early signs of changes in the retina, lens and eye pressure.

Most eye problems don’t start with obvious symptoms. That’s why regular checks matter.

At Buchanan Optometrists, we take the time to assess thoroughly - and explain everything clearly.

📞 Call 01634 757227 to book your eye test.

If you get sore eyes at work, it’s easy to blame the screen - but overhead lighting and glare are often the real culprit...
23/02/2026

If you get sore eyes at work, it’s easy to blame the screen - but overhead lighting and glare are often the real culprit.

Bright office lights can contribute to strain and headaches, especially if your prescription is slightly off, your eyes are overcompensating, or dry eye is part of the picture.

We assess more than just “how many letters you can read”. We look at visual comfort, glare sensitivity and focusing effort - so you get a plan that actually fits real workdays.

📞 Call 01634 757227 to book an eye assessment

🌐 www.optometrists.co.uk

Charles Stone frames are bold without being loud - and they’re one of those collections people put on and instantly feel...
18/02/2026

Charles Stone frames are bold without being loud - and they’re one of those collections people put on and instantly feel “more themselves”.

Lightweight, colourful, easy to wear - perfect if you want something different without going full statement piece.

We’ll help you choose frames that suit your style and work properly with your prescription and day-to-day life - so they look great and feel effortless.

📞 Call 01634 757227 to book a styling appointment

🌐 www.optometrists.co.uk

Dry, watery, gritty eyes aren’t just annoying - they’re often a sign your tear film isn’t working properly.Dry eye isn’t...
16/02/2026

Dry, watery, gritty eyes aren’t just annoying - they’re often a sign your tear film isn’t working properly.

Dry eye isn’t always seasonal. It can flare up anytime due to:

heating or air con

screens and reduced blinking

wind and cold weather

long workdays and fatigue

If you’re relying on drops that only help for five minutes, it usually means the underlying cause hasn’t been identified.

At Buchanan Optometrists, our Dry Eye Clinic includes IDRA tear film imaging, so we can measure what’s happening rather than guess. For suitable patients, we also offer advanced treatment for meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) including IPL on our Envision platform, and radiofrequency (RF) eyelid treatment to support gland function and comfort.

📞 Call 01634 757227 to book a dry eye assessment

🌐 www.optometrists.co.uk

William Morris frames mix quality with character. They’re handmade, beautifully balanced and far from mass-produced. If ...
17/12/2025

William Morris frames mix quality with character. They’re handmade, beautifully balanced and far from mass-produced. If you want something classic with a twist, call 01634 757227 to come and try them on.

🏆 The official moment 🏆Sharing the official photo from Saturday’s Optician Awards, where Buchanan Optometrists & Audiolo...
15/12/2025

🏆 The official moment 🏆

Sharing the official photo from Saturday’s Optician Awards, where Buchanan Optometrists & Audiologists were named Hearing Care Practice of the Year.

An incredibly proud moment for our team — and one we’ll always be grateful for. Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way.

Kids spend more time on screens over Christmas - which means more chance of tired eyes and focusing issues. We offer chi...
15/12/2025

Kids spend more time on screens over Christmas - which means more chance of tired eyes and focusing issues. We offer children’s checks that pick up early signs of strain. Call 01634 757227 to book during the break.

13/12/2025

🏆 We are absolutely thrilled to share some amazing news! 🏆
Tonight at the Optician Awards in London, Buchanan Optometrists & Audiologists was named Hearing Care Practice of the Year — a truly incredible honour and a testament to the dedication, expertise and passion of our audiology team.

We’re also immensely proud that Alisdair Buchanan was awarded Runner-Up for Optometrist of the Year, placing nationally as a leader in 17,000 optometrists across the UK. An outstanding achievement and recognition of clinical excellence and patient-centred care.

To receive this level of national recognition means so much to us. Thank you to our amazing team for their hard work every single day, and to our wonderful patients for your continued trust and support — we couldn’t do this without you.

🏆 A night we’ll never forget. Thank you. 🏆

✨ The Optician Awards are officially underway! ✨We’re so proud to be in London this evening representing Buchanan Optome...
13/12/2025

✨ The Optician Awards are officially underway! ✨

We’re so proud to be in London this evening representing Buchanan Optometrists & Audiologists, having been shortlisted for two national awards.

🏆 Optometrist of the Year
Alisdair Buchanan has been shortlisted among just 8 finalists out of over 17,000 optometrists in the UK — an incredible honour.

🏆 Hearing Care Practice of the Year
We’re also delighted to be named as one of the top 4 hearing care practices in the country, recognised on a national stage.

Whatever tonight brings, we’re immensely proud of our team and grateful for the support of our wonderful patients who make achievements like this possible.

✨ A very special evening — wish us luck! ✨

13/12/2025

✨ We’re on our way to the Optician Awards! ✨

Today is an incredibly special day for all of us at Buchanan Optometrists & Audiologists as we head to London for the Optician Awards, being held at the prestigious Royal Lancaster London Hotel.

We are absolutely thrilled to share that this year we have been shortlisted for TWO national awards, and both represent truly outstanding achievements:

🏆 Optometrist of the Year
Our very own Alisdair Buchanan has been shortlisted as Optometrist of the Year — placing him among just 8 finalists out of more than 17,000 optometrists across the UK. An extraordinary honour and a testament to clinical excellence, innovation, and patient care.

🏆 Hearing Care Practice of the Year
We have also been shortlisted as one of the top 4 hearing care practices in the UK, standing out among thousands of hearing care providers nationwide. This recognition reflects the dedication, expertise, and passion of our entire audiology team.

To be recognised at this level, on a national stage, is something we are immensely proud of. Whatever tonight brings, simply being shortlisted is a huge achievement — and we couldn’t be more excited (or grateful) to share this moment with our wonderful patients and community.

✨ London, here we come! ✨

Light sensitivity in the office? It might not be your monitor. Eye strain from overhead lighting is common - and often m...
12/12/2025

Light sensitivity in the office? It might not be your monitor. Eye strain from overhead lighting is common - and often mistaken for screen fatigue. We assess light sensitivity, not just your sight. Call us on 01634 757227 to book.

Address

Buchanan House, 56 Malling Road
Snodland
ME65NB

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+441634757227

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Buchanan Optometrists posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Buchanan Optometrists:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram

Category