Alisdair Buchanan B.Sc., MCOptom., F.B.D.O., Dip.O.D. - Senior Consultant Optometrist

In a realm where proficiency is as vast as the 14,000-strong army of UK opticians, Alisdair holds a crown that sets him in a league of his own: 'Optometrist of the Year'. This isn't just a title; it's a royal seal of approval from the UK Optician Awards' illustrious panel of judges. They didn't just notice his commitment; they were captivated by his avant-garde approach to eye care, from state-of-the-art disease detection to pioneering dry eye treatments. But Alisdair's odyssey to this accolade is as layered as the lenses he meticulously designs.

As one of the rare gems in the industry with double-barrelled qualifications in both Optometry and Dispensing Opticianry, Alisdair is the epitome of unrelenting passion. His journey was ignited in the historic city of Bradford back in 1991, where he didn't just earn a diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing; he became a cornerstone in the field. By 1995, he was not just a member but an exemplar within the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, mastering the alchemy of lens design, bespoke eyewear crafting, and pinpoint-accurate fitting.

But for Alisdair, there was a horizon yet to be reached. Fuelled by an insatiable curiosity for Optometry, he committed to a rigorous three-year academic quest at the prestigious University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Earning his stripes in 1999, he leapt into a kaleidoscope of career experiences that would culminate in a dossier most could only dream of.

Recognising a gaping hole in the UK's optics landscape—a shortfall of holistic eye care dovetailed with next-level spectacle technology—Alisdair took the reins of a venerable Snodland practice in 2000. What he orchestrated wasn't a facelift; it was a full-scale revolution, metamorphosing a traditional establishment into the UK's Sistine Chapel of optical excellence.

In 1997, Alisdair shattered the glass ceiling by introducing Zeiss computerised measuring technology, a game-changing feat that transfigured the very canvas of varifocal lenses. In doing so, he eradicated distortions and vastly widened the viewing experience, turning each lens into a masterpiece of clarity.

In 2010, Alisdair once again left his indelible mark by becoming one of Kent’s first Optometrists to gain OPwSI Ophthalmology qualification. His practice didn't merely become a referral centre; it morphed into a sanctuary where patients, whether directed by local GPs or other Opticians, could access unparalleled NHS Community Ophthalmology clinics.

Specialisation in glaucoma and dry eye care? It's not just a footnote on his CV. Since 2014, Alisdair has taken centre stage at the globally-renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital’s Dry Eye seminars, raising his voice, and the standards, for all to follow.

So why settle for standard, when you could opt for an award-winning, trend-setting, and boundary-pushing optometrist? With Alisdair, you're not just a patient; you're a participant in a vision care experience unlike any other. Choose the best; choose Alisdair.