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Testimonials
"Paul McKenna - First time varifocals and I love them"
Designing the frames with Alisdair was a very enjoyable experience. I believe life is art and what we wear says a lot about us. When I wear these glasses, not only do I feel really good as they are a statement about me but I also feel a little more confident as well.
This was the first time I had tried varifocals and I love them! I can now see clearly at distance and close without having to constantly remove my spectacles.These lenses will change my life!
Paul McKenna- Britain's bestselling non-fiction author. Famous for his hypnosis TV shows and live appearances.
"If you want glasses then go to the best, I did!"
This is only the second time I have been to Buchanan's. As before excellent service. Although I was very early for my appointment Katherine made me feel very welcome offering Tea or Coffee while I wait. I wanted time to look at the enormous selection of frames which I could do in my own time with no sales pressure.
During the eye test I felt very relaxed and was made to feel totally at ease with the odd bit of banter.
Now for the good bit, choosing the frames and lens type. This was no contest as last time I had chosen the best of the best with their help.
Must admit went to "specsavers" last year and literally threw them back, not worth the effort.
If you want glasses then go to the best, I did!Gillian Hollingsbee
review from opticianuk
"We are always made to feel so special"
For most of my life, I thought double vision was normal, 12 years ago my previous optician had sent me to the hospital but they could not sort out the problem and I constantly saw two of everything. I can still remember what a delight it was, thanks to Alisdair Buchanan, to put on my new glasses and be able to see straight and with only one image for the first time! I loved my glasses for the first time in my life and have loved every pair ever since. As a family we have been patients of Buchanan Optometrists ever since they started. Since our very first appointment, Alisdair Buchanan and all at Buchanan's immediately made us feel welcome, at ease and reassured. On every visit we are made to feel so special. The atmosphere in the practice is so soothing I often want to pop in after a busy day just to relax! When you go to Buchanan’s you know you will receive skill and expertise but you also know that you are cared about. This year I saw Kathryn for my eye test and Gill measured me for, and helped select my new frames and lenses. They were both so skilled at their job and made me feel really at ease. I’ve just collected my latest spectacles and once again I can see superbly. You and your eyes are always in good hands at Buchanan Optometrists. I never hesitate to recommend them to anyone.
Mrs Elizabeth Woodger, Miss Alison Woodger and family
"I flew 500 miles to Buchanan Optometrists because I want the best"
On Monday I got on a plane, flew 500 miles from Cork to Heathrow, then drove 60 or so miles to Snodland in Kent.
"So?", I hear you ask.
Good question. And the answer is... it was to get my eyes tested.
But why would I go all that way and brave the horrors of air travel, airport security and the awfulness of the M25, all in two directions, for something as mundane as an eye test and a new pair of specs?Easy: because I want the best.
See, I run a small business from an isolated farmhouse in the South if Ireland. I am either writing and reading as part of my work for maybe 14 hours a day, and when I'm not doing either of those I'm writing or reading about my work. As you can imagine my eyesight is utterly crucial to my work.
In fact, the only time my glasses come off is if I'm showering, sleeping, or making love.The moment I walked in to Buchanan's, I knew the entire trek had been worth it. The place was empty but for Alisdair and his small team of polite, efficient and knowledgeable eyeball experts. The place was bright, light, clean, and airy, and utterly calm and serene (helped in part by the tasteful classical music in the background).
Contrast that with the narrow, hot, crowded and busy "chain store" opticians I have locally where you're jostled by hassled mothers with hundreds of badly-behaved kids in tow at every stage of your visit, and you'll begin to see why making that journey was worth it.
But wait... there's more!
Because the full battery of tests I went through found I am almost certainly going to develop glaucoma in the near future. Not news I wanted to hear, but definitely new I needed to hear (and Alisdair broke it to me with a perfect 'bedside manner', making is as easy to take as these things ever are).
The thing is, the typical and routine tests I'd have got at other opticians simply wouldn't have picked it up anywhere near this early. That alone has made the entire trip worthwhile.
As it happens, though, I'm about to take delivery of a pair of awesome glasses that will utterly change my life. If you've never has to cart around two pairs of glasses all the time, one for reading and one for distance, then I can't explain the frustration to you; if you have, then no explanation is necessary. Varifocals have never worked for me, but this time the extreme high quality and precision of the workmanship and design mean the frames and lenses will be a perfect fit.Me, I'm sold. I'll need to make that trip twice a year now to keep my eye on that approaching glaucoma (pun intended).
But it'll be worth every moment and every penny. I've been wearing glasses for 45 years, since the age of 4. And I've been to dozens of opticians, from small private practices to the big chains... and I can honestly say Buchanan's has given me by far the best experience of them all.
Jon McCulloch
"Thank you for your superb manner with my young son"
I just felt I had to write and thank you for the exceptional care we have received from you and your team. I was really quite concerned about the lump on George's eye that appeared when he was about 3 months old, and I am very pleased that I followed my friends recommendation to come and see you. I am so grateful, not only for your support and understanding during our visits to your practice, but also for the extremely efficient way you dealt with the referral to my GP, ensuring that they acted quickly so that we received an appointment with the consultant very promptly.
It was very kind of you to call recently to get an update on George's eye. It is fair to say that you have exceeded my expectations in terms of your superb manner with my young son, your knowledge and expertise, and the state of the art equipment you have at your finger tips in the practice. We shall certainly always use Buchanan Optometrists for our family's eye care.
Many thanks again for all your help,
Kind regards,
Sarah Irvine
"If it wasn't for Alisdair, I wouldn't be alive today"
It is fair to say that if it wasn’t for Alisdair, I wouldn’t be alive today. I had been experiencing poor vision for a while, and whilst other opticians could not solve my problem, I visited Alisdair after a recommendation from my brother. Within an hour of seeing me, he suggested I go to the hospital, who then diagnosed a tumour, which was subsequently removed. The hospital since told me that if it hadn’t been discovered I would have been dead within three weeks. Thank you Alisdair.
Mrs Heather Clifton
