Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Opticians in Keswick
Established in 1926, Smith & Butterfield is a historic opticians practice rooted in the Lake District. Our legacy of excellence in eye care has been built through generations of dedicated professionals committed to advancing optical health. We combine traditional values with cutting-edge technology, offering comprehensive eye examinations, precision diagnostics using Zeiss equipment, and tailored eyewear solutions. Our team of qualified optometrists and dispensing specialists prioritises individual patient needs, ensuring every consultation reflects our deep expertise and passion for visual wellness.In 2023, we expanded our expertise to include hearing health services, maintaining the same standards of clinical excellence and personalised care that have defined our practice for nearly a century. This dual focus on vision and hearing positions us as a trusted partner for holistic sensory health in the Cumbrian community.
Services
Eye Examinations
Contact Lenses
Eyewear Styling
Hearing Tests
Ear Wax Removal
Details
- Year established: 1926
Highlights and features
- We have nearly a century of continuous service in the Lake District
- Our Zeiss diagnostic equipment provides advanced eye health analysis
- Personalised eyewear styling from 100+ frame brands
- Comprehensive hearing care services added in 2023
- Independent practice with no corporate sales targets
Services
Eye Examinations
Our enhanced eye examinations utilise OCT technology for comprehensive ocular health analysis. Qualified optometrists conduct detailed assessments of visual acuity, prescription requirements, and potential eye conditions. The 30-minute consultation includes digital imaging and personalised recommendations for ongoing eye care.
Contact Lenses
We offer professional contact lens fittings with modern silicone hydrogel materials. Our specialists provide trials for daily, monthly, and multifocal lenses, ensuring optimal comfort and vision correction. Follow-up appointments monitor adaptation and maintain ocular health during lens wear.
Eyewear Styling
Our experienced dispensers provide tailored eyewear styling services. With over 100 frame brands available, we match facial features, lifestyle needs, and prescription requirements to find both functional and fashionable solutions for every budget.
Hearing Tests
Comprehensive hearing assessments conducted by qualified audiologists identify hearing loss patterns and their impact on daily life. The evaluation includes tympanometry, pure tone audiometry, and speech discrimination testing to determine appropriate interventions.
Ear Wax Removal
Professional micro-suction ear wax removal safely clears blockages causing hearing impairment or discomfort. This modern technique uses gentle medical-grade suction to remove excess cerumen without irrigation, preserving ear canal integrity.
People
Katharine Butterfield
Practice Owner
Qualified optician with decades of experience in independent practice management. Continues the tradition of patient-centred care established by Donald Cowen in 1999. Oversees clinical standards and business operations.
Paul Smith
Dispensing Manager
Joined the practice in 2009 as dispensing specialist. Brings extensive knowledge of frame design and lens technology to patient consultations. Co-founder of the current Smith & Butterfield partnership.
Russell Borland
Audiologist
Over 30 years' experience in audiology, previously managing national hearing care networks. Introduced hearing services to the practice in 2023. Specialises in custom hearing solutions and aftercare support.
Questions
Do you need a referral for an eye test?
No referral is required for our comprehensive eye examinations. Patients can book directly through our MySight portal or contact us directly.
What hearing aid brands do you offer?
As independent providers, we offer hearing aids from all major manufacturers including Beltone, Phonak, and Siemens. Our audiologists recommend solutions based on individual needs.
Are children's eye tests available?
We provide eye examinations for patients of all ages, including children's vision assessments that check for common developmental issues like lazy eye.
Do you accept NHS optical vouchers?
Yes, we process NHS optical vouchers towards spectacle purchases. Our team helps calculate applicable discounts during frame selection consultations.
What happens during a micro-suction appointment?
The 20-minute procedure involves ear examination followed by gentle wax removal using medical suction. No ear syringing is performed, ensuring safe and comfortable treatment for all patients.
Reviews (5)
Shalom J.
Aug 06, 2021
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Damaged glasses while on holiday. Took it to them and they said leave it with us and pick up later the same day. Picked it up later and glasses all sorted so very pleased. Did not even ask for payment but just suggested a small donation to the children's charity. Big help in an emergency. Pleasant to deal with.
Troy Linford-Gray Troyandy
Sep 30, 2020
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Excellent service. A really good selection of glasses , more so then you would find in a chain optician.
Nigel Harrison
May 30, 2020
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Ummmmmm dont even know what to put , in short it well 'pathetic'!!!!!!! do not go there
bad staff bad eye people
by kindia lucimia
ps.there is grat food and fabulouse lunch servise
bad staff bad eye people
by kindia lucimia
ps.there is grat food and fabulouse lunch servise
Robert M. Barron
May 27, 2020
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It is in times of crisis when you learn who provides a gold standard service, we had an issue recently, dealt with immediately, professionally and courteously. Smith and Butterfield are a small extremely well run business with the very best interests of their customers at heart.
Michael Barron.
Michael Barron.
Penny Oxley
Dec 25, 2017
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I have always received excellent service from this optician. They are incredibly friendly and helpful and are brilliant with children.
