The 45 Most Influential People in the UK Optical Industry in 2026

The UK optical industry is filled with remarkable people. Clinicians, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs and content creators are all helping to shape how eye care is delivered and understood.

But influence is not simply a matter of having the most social-media followers.

Some people influence patients. Others train the next generation of optometrists and dispensing opticians. Some shape government policy, while others introduce new technology, build successful optical businesses or give independent practices a stronger voice.

This editorial list considers five principal factors:

• Professional credibility

• Digital and public reach

• Contribution to education

• Commercial or clinical influence

• Ability to move the optical industry forward

It is not an official league table. It is a researched snapshot of 45 individuals who deserve recognition for their contribution to UK optics in 2026.

1. Hamza Mussa – The Crazy Optom

Hamza Mussa has created one of the UK’s most successful individual optometry accounts.

Through The Crazy Optom, Hamza shares detailed images of eye conditions and unusual clinical discoveries. He makes clinical education visual, engaging and accessible to students and qualified practitioners.

With more than 46,000 Instagram followers reported in 2026, Hamza has demonstrated that credible clinical content can attract a substantial audience. He deserves the number-one position because he combines professional knowledge, personality, consistency and measurable digital reach.

2. Daniel Scott – The Eyewear Stylist

Daniel Scott has developed a distinctive position at the intersection of optics, fashion and personal confidence.

Rather than treating glasses as a clinical necessity, Daniel helps people see eyewear as part of their identity. His consultations incorporate personal styling, colour analysis and an understanding of facial features.

He also speaks at industry events and interviews optical professionals internationally. Daniel deserves his place because he is raising the perceived value of dispensing opticians while helping consumers become more excited about independent eyewear.

3. Jason Searle – The Eye Care Advocate

Jason Searle has used social media to promote optometry for more than 15 years.

His journey has included platforms and identities such as Optom Student, Optometry Tweet, Eyes on Eyecare and The Eye Care Advocate. His work supports students, professionals and patients through educational resources and eye-health awareness.

Jason deserves his position because he does more than promote himself. He identifies good work across the profession, shares useful resources and helps other optical voices find an audience.

4. Bansi Dhamecha – Optotutor

Bansi Dhamecha founded Optotutor to support optometry students and pre-registration optometrists.

Her educational content covers examinations, professional development, commercial awareness and the realities of beginning a career in optics. This gives her influence at a particularly important stage in a practitioner’s development.

Bansi deserves to be included because she helps young professionals build confidence, competence and stronger foundations for their future careers.

5. Kripa Shah

Kripa Shah is an independent-prescribing optometrist with experience in dry eye, medical retina, technology and professional mentoring.

Her LinkedIn content combines clinical knowledge with leadership, communication, workplace culture and personal development. She also uses interactive content to encourage conversation within the profession.

Kripa deserves her position because she brings personality and positivity to serious professional subjects. Her influence is particularly relevant to practitioners looking to grow both clinically and personally.

6. Dame Mary Perkins

Few people have changed British optics as profoundly as Dame Mary Perkins.

She co-founded Specsavers in 1984 and helped build it into an international optical organisation with an enormous presence in the UK. The company’s scale means that decisions made within Specsavers can affect practitioners, suppliers and patients across the country.

Dame Mary deserves recognition because her influence extends beyond social media. She has helped change how eye care is marketed, delivered and accessed on the British high street.

7. Professor Pearse Keane

Professor Pearse Keane is one of the most important voices working at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ophthalmology.

Based at UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital, his work explores how AI, imaging and data can help clinicians detect and manage eye disease.

He deserves his place because artificial intelligence is likely to transform eye care significantly. Professor Keane is helping ensure that UK ophthalmology and optometry remain central to that transformation.

8. Professor James Wolffsohn

Professor James Wolffsohn is a widely respected researcher and educator at Aston University.

His work covers dry eye, contact lenses, myopia management, diagnostics and ophthalmic technology. His research is frequently translated into practical guidance for clinicians and the optical industry.

He deserves inclusion because his influence connects academic research with everyday clinical practice. Practitioners benefit directly from the evidence and education he helps produce.

9. Professor Nicola Logan

Professor Nicola Logan is one of the UK’s leading authorities on myopia.

As childhood myopia becomes a more significant public-health concern, her research and education help practitioners understand progression, risk and evidence-based management.

She deserves her position because she is helping shape one of the most important developing areas in modern optometry.

10. Garry Kousoulou

Garry Kousoulou is a dispensing optician, entrepreneur, author and digital-marketing specialist.

Through Loving Social Media, he helps independent optical practices improve their visibility and compete more effectively. He was the first optician to receive CET points for social-media education and played a role in the creation of 100% Optical.

His Healthy Eyes Save Lives campaign also brought optical professionals together at the London New Year’s Day Parade.

Garry deserves inclusion because he connects optics, marketing, community engagement and public eye-health education. His work helps independent practices communicate their value and gives the profession a more visible public voice.

11. Jason Kirk

Jason Kirk is the CEO of Kirk & Kirk, one of Britain’s most distinctive independent eyewear brands.

He is a passionate advocate for creativity, colour and independent optical retail. His work encourages practices to offer eyewear with personality rather than relying entirely on familiar mainstream products.

Jason deserves his place because he influences how eyewear is designed, presented and discussed. He also gives independent opticians a strong British voice in the international eyewear market.

12. Rebecca Thompson

Rebecca Thompson is a dispensing optician, eyewear strategist and the creator of Eye Style Journal.

Her work sits between clinical optics, fashion, retail and consumer behaviour. She helps practices understand how trends and presentation can improve the customer’s eyewear experience.

Rebecca deserves inclusion because she translates fashion and cultural movements into commercially useful insights for optical professionals.

13. Brian Tompkins

Brian Tompkins is one of the best-known advocates for advanced independent optometric practice.

He has developed a reputation for clinical excellence, specialist contact lenses, dry-eye care and thoughtful patient communication. He is also a regular educator and speaker.

Brian deserves recognition because he demonstrates what an ambitious independent practice can become when clinical expertise and a strong patient experience are combined.

14. Dr Pretty Basra

Dr Pretty Basra combines optometry with leadership and mental-fitness education.

Her work recognises that practitioners need more than clinical knowledge. They also require resilience, confidence and the ability to manage the psychological pressures of modern working life.

She deserves her position because she addresses an area that has often received too little attention within optics: the wellbeing and mindset of the professionals delivering care.

15. Daniel Barnes

Daniel Barnes is a founder of Pop Specs, a business bringing a fresh approach to eyewear retail.

Pop Specs uses technology, accessible pricing and highly visible retail locations to challenge traditional expectations around purchasing glasses.

Daniel deserves inclusion because he represents a new generation of optical entrepreneurs. Whether people agree with every part of the model or not, businesses such as Pop Specs encourage the wider industry to reconsider convenience, speed and the customer experience.

16. Hayley Brunsden

Hayley Brunsden is the founder of CBTR Opticians, recognised as Fashion Practice of the Year at the 2025 Optician Awards.

Her work demonstrates how independent practices can build a strong identity around carefully selected eyewear, customer experience and confident branding.

Hayley deserves her position because she shows that independent optics can be creative, fashionable and commercially distinctive.

17. Scott O’Neill

Scott O’Neill, founder of Doctor Oculus, was named Dispensing Optician of the Year at the 2025 Optician Awards.

His recognition reflects the skill, knowledge and patient communication required in modern dispensing practice.

Scott deserves inclusion because he helps raise the profile of dispensing opticians and demonstrates that expert dispensing remains a valuable professional service.

18. Professor Anthony Khawaja

Professor Anthony Khawaja is a professor of ophthalmology and consultant ophthalmic surgeon with particular expertise in glaucoma.

His clinical and research work contributes to a better understanding of glaucoma risk, diagnosis and treatment.

He deserves recognition because glaucoma is a major cause of preventable sight loss. His research and professional leadership help improve how the condition is understood and managed.

19. Professor Bruce Allan

Professor Bruce Allan is a consultant surgeon at Moorfields Eye Hospital and a recognised authority on refractive and anterior-segment surgery.

He contributes to research, clinical innovation and professional education around vision-correction procedures.

Professor Allan deserves inclusion because his work helps practitioners and patients understand the evolving possibilities and limitations of refractive surgery.

20. Professor Ameenat Lola Solebo

Professor Ameenat Lola Solebo is a consultant paediatric ophthalmologist and researcher associated with UCL and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Her work focuses on children’s eye health, research and equality of access to healthcare.

She deserves her place because improving children’s vision can affect their education, confidence and long-term opportunities. Her contribution combines clinical excellence with a wider understanding of public health.

21. Ceri Smith-Jaynes

Ceri Smith-Jaynes is an optometrist and clinical multimedia editor for Optometry Today.

She has a talent for turning clinical information into engaging, understandable professional education across articles, videos and presentations.

Ceri deserves inclusion because good information only creates change when people understand and remember it. She helps make complex optical subjects more accessible.

22. Peter Hampson

Peter Hampson is the clinical and policy director at the Association of Optometrists.

His work involves regulation, NHS policy, professional standards and representing the interests of optometrists.

He deserves his place because policy decisions can affect every optometrist in the country. Although this influence may be less visible than an Instagram account, its practical consequences are substantial.

23. Max Halford

Max Halford is the clinical and policy director at the Association of British Dispensing Opticians.

He helps represent dispensing opticians in discussions about professional development, regulation and the future scope of the role.

Max deserves inclusion because dispensing opticians need knowledgeable representation as technology, clinical responsibilities and consumer expectations change.

24. Louise Gow

Louise Gow is the RNIB’s head of eye health, optometry and low vision.

Her work connects optical professionals with the experiences and needs of people living with sight loss. She advocates for accessible services and better low-vision support.

Louise deserves her position because she ensures that discussions about eye care remain centred on the people most affected by vision loss.

25. Giles Edmonds

Giles Edmonds is clinical services director at Specsavers.

Because Specsavers operates at such scale, clinical leadership within the organisation can affect a very large number of practitioners and patients.

Giles deserves inclusion because he helps influence clinical standards, services and development across one of the most significant optical networks in the country.

26. Neil Retallic

Neil Retallic is head of optometry development at Specsavers.

His role includes supporting professional growth and helping optometrists develop their clinical capabilities within a large national organisation.

He deserves recognition because education delivered at this scale can change everyday practice across hundreds of locations.

27. Paul Morris

Paul Morris is director of professional advancement at Specsavers.

His work focuses on developing practitioners and supporting the expansion of professional and clinical opportunities within optometry.

Paul deserves inclusion because the future of optics depends partly on helping practitioners make better use of their knowledge and take on wider responsibilities.

28. Professor Bruce Evans

Professor Bruce Evans is a respected academic, researcher and educator.

His work has covered binocular vision, myopia, visual difficulties and the relationship between vision and reading. He has also contributed extensively to clinical education.

He deserves his place because of his ability to examine difficult or controversial subjects carefully and translate research into practical clinical thinking.

29. Indie Grewal

Indie Grewal is a recognised educator in contact lenses and myopia management.

He regularly contributes to professional education and helps practitioners understand how newer myopia-management approaches can be introduced responsibly.

Indie deserves inclusion because he combines clinical experience with an approachable teaching style in a rapidly growing area of practice.

30. Jason Higginbotham

Jason Higginbotham is a consultant optometrist known for his knowledge of OCT, diagnostic imaging and optical technology.

He regularly explains how equipment works and, importantly, how it can be applied in real clinical practice.

Jason deserves recognition because practices need independent, informed voices to help them assess new technology rather than being guided solely by sales messages.

31. Aneel Suri

Aneel Suri is a principal optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, specialising in contact lenses, the cornea and external eye disease.

His experience places him at the centre of highly complex clinical work.

He deserves inclusion because specialist contact-lens care can transform the quality of life of people with challenging corneal conditions. His work helps advance knowledge in this demanding field.

32. Professor Kez Latham

Professor Kez Latham is an academic and researcher specialising in low vision.

Her work helps improve the way clinicians understand functional vision, rehabilitation and the everyday experiences of people with sight impairment.

She deserves her place because successful eye care is not only about preventing disease. It is also about helping people make the best possible use of the vision they retain.

33. Michael Bowen

Michael Bowen is director of knowledge and research at the College of Optometrists.

His role helps connect research, clinical evidence and professional guidance.

He deserves inclusion because optometrists need trusted evidence to make good decisions. His work supports the systems that turn new knowledge into safer and more effective practice.

34. Karl Jeebaun

Karl Jeebaun is the founder and CEO of AOS, a significant provider of practice technology within independent optics.

Practice-management systems sit behind appointments, communication, patient records and many everyday business processes.

Karl deserves recognition because technology increasingly determines how efficiently practices operate and how effectively they communicate with patients.

35. Jayne Abel

Jayne Abel is the co-founder and CEO of Eyespace.

Her influence reaches frame design, manufacturing, supply and relationships with independent optical practices.

Jayne deserves her position because suppliers help determine what products and commercial opportunities are available to practices. Her leadership also contributes to the visibility of women within the optical industry.

36. Professor David Henson

Professor David Henson received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2025 Optician Awards.

His academic and professional career has made a lasting contribution to optometry, visual fields and glaucoma-related research.

He deserves inclusion because influence should recognise sustained contribution as well as current visibility. His work has helped shape the knowledge used by today’s practitioners.

37. Rebecca Troughton

Rebecca Troughton of Specsavers Northallerton and Thirsk was named Optometrist of the Year at the 2025 Optician Awards.

The award recognises clinical ability, patient care and professional contribution.

Rebecca deserves her position because exceptional work delivered in everyday community practice is fundamental to the reputation and future of optometry.

38. Alisdair Buchanan

Alisdair Buchanan is an award-recognised optometrist associated with Buchanan Optometrists and Audiologists.

His work reflects the development of independent practices offering broader and more advanced clinical services.

He deserves inclusion because he demonstrates how independent providers can combine eye care, hearing care and a strong community presence.

39. Dr Sheeraz Janjua

Dr Sheeraz Janjua has received industry recognition for his work as an optometrist.

His inclusion among leading award finalists reflects his reputation for clinical care and professional commitment.

He deserves a place because industry influence is built not only through public content but also through the respect earned from patients, colleagues and professional judges.

40. Gajan Singh Seehra

Gajan Singh Seehra is the founder of Out of the Box Optics.

His work represents an entrepreneurial and independent approach to optical practice.

He deserves inclusion because the profession benefits from people prepared to test new models and challenge familiar assumptions about how optical services should be presented and delivered.

41. Jasleen Jolly

Jasleen Jolly is an associate professor in vision science and a specialist in inherited retinal conditions.

Her work connects scientific research with the experiences of patients affected by complex and often life-changing conditions.

She deserves her position because she helps make advanced vision science relevant and understandable to clinicians, patients and the wider public.

42. Nicola Bennett

Nicola Bennett is a clinical educator who has helped lead professional education concerning dry eye and menopause.

This is an important and historically under-discussed area of patient care.

She deserves inclusion because she is helping practitioners recognise connections between hormonal change and ocular-surface symptoms, enabling more informed and empathetic conversations with patients.

43. Kishan Devraj

Kishan Devraj is an optometrist and the founder of Clinician People.

His work focuses on careers, recruitment and connecting clinical professionals with suitable opportunities.

He deserves recognition because staffing is one of the optical industry’s most pressing commercial and operational challenges. Recruitment influences workload, patient access and the ability of practices to grow.

44. Malvi Patel

Malvi Patel is a clinical lead optometrist at SeeAbility.

Her work supports better eye care for people with learning disabilities, a group that can face serious barriers to accessing appropriate examinations and treatment.

Malvi deserves her position because she champions inclusive eye care and helps professionals adapt services for patients whose needs have too often been overlooked.

45. Lorcan Butler

Lorcan Butler is an optometrist and optical engagement manager for The Brain Tumour Charity.

His work helps optical professionals recognise the wider health information that can emerge during an eye examination.

Lorcan deserves inclusion because he connects optometry with broader health awareness. His work reminds the public that an eye examination can identify signs requiring urgent medical investigation, not merely determine whether someone needs glasses.

What this list tells us about UK optics

The people on this list influence the industry in very different ways.

Some have built large digital audiences. Some conduct research that changes clinical guidance. Others represent the profession, develop new technology, champion underserved patients or prove what ambitious independent practices can achieve.

The most encouraging finding is that optical influence is becoming broader.

It is no longer controlled solely by the largest organisations or the most senior clinicians. Students, educators, dispensing opticians, independent owners and specialist content creators can now build their own audiences and start important conversations.

There will inevitably be people who deserve consideration but are not included here. That is a positive reflection of the depth of talent within UK optics.

This list should therefore be regarded as the beginning of a conversation: one that recognises the people helping eye care become more clinical, creative, inclusive, accessible and visible.

Research note

This editorial selection was informed by publicly available professional profiles, industry awards, educational contributions, current roles, social-media visibility and participation in leading events including 100% Optical.

Roles, audiences and levels of activity can change. Any future edition should therefore review current follower numbers, engagement, new appointments, awards and contributions made during the year.