History of Linklaters Optometrists (contact)
Ralph, the son of Dartford jeweller-optician George Linklater, did not want to join the family firm so after qualifying in 1928 set up his own practice in Bexleyheath. In time his reputation grew and the firm expanded to three practices with several partners. Ralph always worked in the Bexleyheath practice retiring in the mid 1980s.

Linklater then (left) and now (above)

Gordon Ilett and his business partners bought the practice in 1988, with Gordon becoming sole proprietor in 2005. Geoff Linklater and Dennis King continued to work alongside Gordon, before Geoff moved away to the West Country, and two years later Dennis King retired.

The clinical reputation of the practice has continued to grow offering diabetic retinopathy screening, direct cataract and macular disease referral, is part of the paediatric refraction scheme and has close links to local GPs and hospitals. Gordon and his team also have an interest in patients with learning disabilities and work closely with Bexley Social Services, and have helped produce educational videos on this subject for both the College of Optometrists and The RNIB. The Practice also has an interest in specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Investment in the latest digital imaging equipment and computerised test charts means the practice is equipped to face the challenges of the 21st century. Of course all this equipment would be of little use without our well qualified optometrists many of whom trained at Moorfields as well as in private practice, and all continue to update their skills on a regular basis.

 
History of Leslie Warren Opticians (contact)

Leslie Warren, son of a Sevenoaks jeweller, decided not to follow his father into the trade and instead trained as an ophthalmic optician. He passed the examination set by The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers in 1915 and set up his practice shortly afterwards. This practice was initially sited above his father’s jewellery shop, but soon moved to larger premises next door where it remains to this day.

Leslie Warren then and now

In the mid 1950s a young ophthalmic optician named Peter Reeve joined the firm, which had by this time grown to three practices, the others being in Tonbridge and Orpington. Mr Reeve bought the business in Sevenoaks, the Orpington practice being bought by a Mr Wilkinson who also acquired the Tonbridge practice soon after.
Mr Reeve worked in the practice for many years and developed the reputation of the business. He sold the business to Gordon Ilett in 1998, continuing to work in the business until finally retiring in 2005.

Over the past few years the practice has been re-equipped and now features the latest digital imaging equipment, and computerised test charts. All this equipment would of course be of little use without the skilled team of optometrists now working at Leslie Warren’s, all of whom trained at Moorfields as well as in private practice and all continue to develop their skills.