Hedge End

Address
10 St John’s Centre
Hedge End
SO30 4QU
Opening Times
Monday to Friday09.00 - 17.30
Saturday09.00 - 16.00

Welcome to Rawlings Opticians in Hedge End

Located in the heart of Hedge End, our friendly and professional team has been delivering expert eye care and hearing services for over 30 years. We’re proud to still have some of our original team members still working within Rawlings. We bring decades of experience to your visit.

Qualified opticians offering comprehensive eye examinations

Using advanced OCT scans to detect early signs of eye conditions like glaucoma and macular degeneration. We also provide contact lens fittings for all ages. We are specialists in Myopia Management for children, helping to slow the progression of short-sightedness. Our thorough examinations are tailored to your individual needs, ensuring your vision is always in safe hands.

Looking for stylish new eyewear?

Choose from top designer frames like Longchamp, Saint Laurent. Or express your individuality with bold, colourful designs from Bellinger, Vanni, and Dutz and Be More. Our dispensing opticians offer a boutique, personal styling experience to help you find the perfect pair.

Children’s eyecare is a priority, with a wide selection of NHS and durable kids’ frames available, plus expert advice for young contact lens wearers.

We also provide trusted audiology services.

Our hearing care team offers free hearing tests, ear wax removal (ages 5+), custom earplugs, and private hearing aids.

Whether you’re exploring the local golf courses or sailing on the Solent, ask about our Maui Jim sunglasses—perfect for reducing glare and improving performance outdoors.

Pop in and meet our welcoming team at Rawlings Opticians and Hearing Care Hedge End. We’re here to help you see and hear your best.

What our Hedge End customers say about us

  • Rawlings saw me as an emergency opticians appointment, they were lovely from the first phone call right up until the appointment and really helpful in explaining everything!

    Georgia Avatar Georgia
    26 June 2025

    Everyone was very helpful, welcoming and professional. I saw an optician within a day of phoning, who was very thorough in checking my eyes and referring me to eye casualty, where I received further treatment. Thank you for the follow up calls and concern to make sure I was seen treated promptly. All is well thanks to Rawlings.

    Jane Ingram Avatar Jane Ingram
    10 April 2025

    Simon was very professional and got me a referral to be sent back to the eye casualty.

    Simon Gumm Avatar Simon Gumm
    10 April 2025
  • Rawlings have been my opticians for many years and their recent refurbishment has not diminished their service but enhanced it. Always thorough and mindful of each customers needs. Would fully recommend them for service and courtesy.

    Linda Galvin Avatar Linda Galvin
    24 February 2025

    Very friendly and helpful as we have always found in hedge end branch

    Michelle Wilson Avatar Michelle Wilson
    19 February 2025

    Great service, explain everything clearly, would definitely recommend

    Adrian Whitfield Avatar Adrian Whitfield
    12 February 2025
  • My family has been going here for over 20 years. Simon has diagnosed potential problems for us. There was a problem with my prescription last year but it all came right in the end. My last visit was 21st January 2025.

    David L Avatar David L
    29 January 2025

    Very helpful knowledgeable staff, when I visited yesterday. I had noticed there weren't enough chairs when I visited twice, once for eye test and the following day to order new glasses. The new interior looks very nice , but would say more chairs for the elderly.

    Nick Green Avatar Nick Green
    26 January 2025

    Great friendly atmosphere and explain the different tests, results and options available clearly. I didn't feel they were recommending glasses just to boost sales. Highly recommended

    Andy Owen Avatar Andy Owen
    26 November 2024
  • The team have been excellent in ensuring I was well looked after. They spent more time than necessary to ensure I have the right prescription. They have been so helpful with my hectic schedule and finding time for me to get fitted with night lenses. I would highly recommend the team at hedge end. I’ve not suffered a headache since having my prescription from them.

    Kate Hoare Avatar Kate Hoare
    26 November 2024

    A good professional business; no complaints about their services.

    Keith Truscott Avatar Keith Truscott
    26 November 2024

    A Very Professional team, understanding, comprehensive. The service is impeccable, and price value for money. I highly recommend the local branch.

    Martine Louis Avatar Martine Louis
    26 November 2024
  • Great service and advice. Friendly staff.

    Tanya Tate Avatar Tanya Tate
    26 October 2024

    Great service, Simon was friendly and excellent communicator. I will now go here for my eye related needs.

    Nathan Groce Avatar Nathan Groce
    26 September 2024

    I required an urgent appt to get my my eye checked as I had got some sand in plus accidentally being poked in the eye by my toddler grandchild! The service was excellent, From booking in the appointment promptly that day to seeing Simon who was extremely professional, even phoning me up that evening and the next day, to confirm the Hosp had phoned, plus to enquire that I was okay and my symptoms hadn’t changed or worsened. 5 star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Julie Finn Avatar Julie Finn
    26 September 2024
  • Professional, friendly, efficient, thorough, everything explained very nicely.

    Mike Holtom Avatar Mike Holtom
    26 September 2024

    I was examined by Simon Cabell . There was no change to my prescription, and I left thoroughly satisfied with my treatment. SG 15.8.2024

    Sharon Garrity Avatar Sharon Garrity
    26 August 2024

    I popped into Rawlings Hedge End for a check up as it had been 2 years from my previous appt at another company. The service and people were great, however the cost of the lenses I required were just too much for me to carry on with the experience.

    paul loveridge Avatar paul loveridge
    10 August 2024
  • I popped into Rawlings Hedge End for a check up as it had been 2 years from my previous appt at another company. The service and people were great, however the cost of the lenses I required were just too much for me to carry on with the experience.

    paul loveridge Avatar paul loveridge
    26 July 2024

    Having had 18 months of eye problems and various operations and being under the care of the local Eye Hospital, I needed to have an optician I could trust, and I have found it in Rawlings, it's a 50 mile round trip but from the time I phoned to get an appointment to having my eyes tested and telling Kate all the issues I have had, I felt completely at ease and assured they were going to take good care of me, the 'shop floor' staff were also brilliant, helping choose the right frames and the right type of lenses, and making sure everything was measured correctly, and oh my 2 days later getting the message to say glasses were ready to collect , such a great service, yes the price is a bit more substantial but the care given is exceptional

    Margaret Gray Avatar Margaret Gray
    26 July 2024

    Visit on 02.07.24, excellent. Excellent optician, who I have seen here for years! Continuity is so important. Very friendly and helpful staff. They give so much time to you, especially when choosing new frames. Even happy to take photos of me wearing different frames, as without my prescription lenses, cannot see clearly. Cannot recommend strongly enough. Thank you for your amazing service. M.S.

    Margaret Storey Avatar Margaret Storey
    26 July 2024

Our Hedge End branch staff

Joe_Gibbon

Manager

Joseph Gibbon

FBDO

I started my career in optics in 2016 when I accepted a position at a large optical company. Having an interest in science and enjoying customer service in previous jobs, I decided that training to be a Dispensing Optician was the ideal choice. I qualified as a Dispensing Optician from ABDO College and started running my own stores. With my qualifications and a lot of experience under my belt, I realised how much I enjoyed spending time with customers, helping them feel confident and see clearly. This led me to work in independent and local opticians, where I could spend time with people and really get to know the people I am helping.

Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care seemed the perfect fit, as an optician, local to me and centred around the patient. I started managing the Hedge End store in 2025. I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic team here to help care for the local community.

You will likely find me watching rugby on any Saturday I have free. Frequently watching the Saracens with my father. And I also follow England in almost any sport! My dog is a brindle Lurcher called Rio. He spends most of his time sleeping and saving his energy for a good chase and run.

Optometrists / Contact Lens Opticians / Audiologists

Emma Perkis

Emma Perkis

Hearing Care Assistant

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.

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.

Ryan Blake

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.

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 & 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.

Bill Mills

Bill Mills

MSHAA

I am passionate about my job, and I believe in giving excellent service delivered with trust and integrity and clients regularly refer friends and family to me. When the position of Audiology Lead with Rawlings Opticians came up, I knew it was the perfect role as I wanted to work with a genuinely “independent” hearing device provider, not one which is either owned or allied to one particular brand.

I knew from experience that this would give me the opportunity to give a more professional service to tailor the hearing solution more specifically to the patients’ individual requirements. Offering wax removal and earplugs as well leads to an interesting and varied working day.

My life as a Hearing Aid Audiologist began in 2014 when I decided to have a career change as having had many years of international travel working in the textile industry, I wanted to be based in the UK for a better work/life balance. I enjoy working with people and to be able to genuinely improve someone’s quality of life puts a smile on my face (as well as my patients!) when they realise what a difference hearing well can make to them. Providing audiology services has seen me working in Devon for a hearing brand before moving to Hampshire to deliver hearing care for a national optical company. Previously based in Lymington, I have worked across multiple locations across Hampshire and Dorset.

I’m a hearing aid wearer, as my hearing was damaged while working in the textile industry. I like to wear Widex aids and have been doing so for the past 3 years

Simon Cabell

Simon Cabell

BSc MCOptom

My Optics career started at a local contact lens manufacturer as a college student in the 1980s. I then joined Rawlings in 1993 after graduating from Aston University. I qualified in 1994 while working at the Alton and Winchester branches.

After a couple of years I joined the Hedge End branch and now work mainly at Hedge End with one day a week back in Winchester. I have been involved with staff training in a supervisory role which is very rewarding and was also a committee member and instructor at the Aston University Archery Club. At Rawlings I enjoy fitting a wide variety of modern high tech. contact lenses particularly with sports and hobbies in mind.

Out of work I enjoy playing guitar and running. In my free time I also support local charities such the Portsmouth Hospital’s Charity the Rocky Appeal. I also enjoy sporting events such as the Great South Run. My family and I also like to visit museums and places of historical interest.

Jeanette_Fox

Jeanette Fox

I started my career in refrigeration and air conditioning, spending many years in that industry. After being made redundant when the company downsized, I decided it was time for a change — and that’s when I joined Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care.

At first, I worked on the optical side, but as the audiology service grew, I was offered the chance to take the HCA course. I jumped at it — and I’m so glad I did! I absolutely love my role. Every day, I get to meet interesting, lovely people and help them hear more clearly again, which is incredibly rewarding.

I’m married, and between us we have four children and six grandchildren who keep us on our toes! I enjoy walking, watching rugby and football (especially Liverpool FC), and I’m always up for a good cocktail — though not necessarily in that order 😊

Our dispensing team

Janet Bagley FBDO

Travel information

Immediately behind the practice. Free parking for up to 2 hours
Bus stop right outside practice and on opposite side of the street
Bluestar 3 connects Hedge End to Southampton (via Bitterne) and Eastleigh
Bluestar 24 links Hedge End with Eastleigh
Hedge End
Hedge End Library, 11 Upper Northam Rd, Hedge End, Southampton SO30 4DY
Excellent, wheelchair access through both practice doors and consulting room doors. Practice is all on one level.

Out of hours eyecare for customers of the Hedge End 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.