Matthew Carter - BSc (Hons) MCOptom DipTp (IP)
- Optometrist Independent Prescriber, Director
Special interest: Complex Contact Lenses, myopia management, therapeutics & anterior eye disease
Matthew graduated from City University, London in 2010 with a first-class honours degree in optometry and vision sciences. He completed his pre-registration training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, where he continues to work part-time. Matthew gained his professional qualification in July 2011 and currently works as a Principal Optometrist (clinic lead) within the contact lens service at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He also works in the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency (A&E) clinic and has previously worked in the external disease/corneal clinic, keratoconus monitoring clinic, cataract clinic and within the low vision service.
Matthew enjoys teaching and as such has presented at several Optometric conferences on the topic of specialist contact lenses and keratoconus. He has acted as a clinical supervisor at workshops and courses attended by other Optometrists and students.
When not at the hospital Matthew spends the rest of the week practicing across the three practices and he thoroughly enjoys providing the high-quality eye care that the three practices are known for. Matthew is accredited to see patients with acute eye problems under the Minor Eye Condition Service (MECS) in both Bromley and Bexley. In 2018 Matthew gained his post-graduate diploma in therapeutics from The College of Optometrists and in doing so became an Independent Prescriber of ophthalmic medicines.
Before commencing his studies in optometry, Matthew completed an honours degree in zoology at the University of Leeds. When not working or attending optometry courses/conferences, Matthew is kept busy by his young twin boys.
Jasmine Griffin (nee Prentice) - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist Director
Special interest: Visual stress & colorimetry and dry eye syndrome
Jasmine graduated from Aston University in Birmingham in 2003 with a first-class honours degree in Optometry. She gained her professional qualification in July 2004 after completing her pre-registration year under the supervision of Gordon Ilett at Linklaters and Leslie Warren. During this year Jasmine also worked at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and in the eye department at Darenth Valley Hospital.
Jasmine has practiced at Linklaters and Leslie Warren since qualification thoroughly enjoying her profession. Keen to continue to work within the hospital environment, she has gained experience within refractive surgery clinics at Moorfields, general ophthalmology clinics at The Princess Royal University Hospital Farnborough and glaucoma clinics at Queen Mary’s Hospital Sidcup.
Jasmine is an Optometrist with Special interests which involves working closely with Ophthalmologists and GPs and includes triage of local hospital referrals. She has completed her diabetic retinopathy screening NVQ and three MSc modules at City University in binocular vision, glaucoma and diabetes management and is accredited to see diabetic patients in both Sevenoaks and Bexleyheath. Jasmine has a keen interest in the treatment of dry eye and is also certified to see patients with more acute eye conditions under the local PEARS acute referral scheme.
Jasmine is a member of the Society of Coloured Lens Prescribers and is accredited to provide coloured overlay and colorimetry assessments. She gives presentations locally to raise awareness about the benefits of colour to those with dyslexia and visual stress.
Jasmine was invited to be a partner in the business in 2008. In her spare time, Jasmine enjoys visits to the theatre and salsa dancing.
Jigna Teli - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist Director
Special interest: Medical retina and diabetic eye disease
Jigna graduated from Cardiff University in 2001 with an honours degree in Optometry and Vision Sciences. She completed her preregistration year under the supervision of Gordon Ilett in 2002, working at Linklaters and Leslie Warren as well as spending time at Moorfields Eye Hospital. She has since worked full time for the group and has enjoyed developing her professional skills. Jigna became a Partner in the business in 2008.
Jigna has a keen interest in Diabetic eye disease and is accredited to carry out diabetic retinal screening in Bexley and West Kent; she lectures to other health care professionals regarding the importance of regular eye screening in this group of patients. She is accredited as an OPwSI in both Bexley and West Kent and is the Optometrists Lead for the Community Ophthalmology Team in West Kent, working closely with Ophthalmologists. She has completed 3 City University MSc modules and is an accredited PEARS Optometrist.
In her spare time Jigna enjoys reading and going to the theatre as well as spending time with her family and friends.
Michelle Butler - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist
Special interest: Visual stress & colorimetry
Michelle graduated from Cardiff University in 1990 with a first-class honors degree in optometry. She then went on to undertake her pre-registration year at Maidstone Ophthalmic Hospital and gained her professional qualifications in July 1991.
Since then Michelle has worked in both private practice and in the hospital eye service. Michelle has completed seven of the City University M.Sc. modules in: diabetic eye disease, optometric management of glaucoma, vision in the aged, anterior eye disease, posterior eye disease, refractive eye surgery and paediatric optometry. Michelle is married with three children and - in any spare time she has - enjoys swimming and spending time with her family.
Josephine Evans - BSc (Hons) MCOptom DipTp (IP) Prof Cert Glauc
- Optometrist Independent Prescriber
Special interest: Therapeutics, paediatric optometry & myopia management
Josephine graduated from the University of Manchester in 2017 with a first-class Honours in Optometry. She completed her pre-registration training under the supervision of Jigna Teli and Matthew Carter within the Linklater Warren group and achieved her professional qualification in July 2018.
Josephine works between our three practices and is passionate about providing high-quality community eye care. She has a special interest in emergency and urgent eye care, myopia management, paediatric optometry and glaucoma. Josephine is accredited to examine patients under the Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS) and she achieved the Independent Prescribing qualification in 2022, enabling her to manage a wider range of eye conditions in practice.
Josephine also works part-time as a Specialist Optometrist at Moorfields Eye Hospital, examining patients in glaucoma, cataract and low vision clinics. During this year Josephine gained experience at Moorfields Eye Hospital, shadowing specialist optometrists and ophthalmologists in extended clinics including cataracts, glaucoma, AMD injection clinics and urgent care units.
In addition to clinical roles, Josephine is part of the Junior Faculty at Johnson and Johnson Vision, where she teaches and facilitates educational events for both trainee and qualified optometrists. She is passionate about the future of the profession and is a council member for the Association of Optometrists representing employees of independent practices.
Previously, Josephine has taught clinical skills to undergraduate optometry students at City, University of London and she has collaborated on a research project at the same institution, presenting the findings at national and international conferences.
Outside of work, Josephine enjoys spending time with friends and family, sailing and all things food related.
Bhavina Gosrani - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist
Special interest: Dry eye syndrome
Bhavina graduated from Aston University in 2004 with a 2:1 Honours degree in Optometry. She completed her pre-registration year at Boots Opticians, St Thomas' hospital and The Institute of Optometry. During this year she was awarded a prize for excellent patient communication.
She has many years of experience in the hospital eye service, multiple sector and independent practices. She was accredited to perform Diabetic Eye Screening in Essex which she conducted for several years. She is accredited to see patients with cataracts, suspect glaucoma and acute eye problems under the Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS) in Bromley and Bexley.
She is currently undertaking a post-graduate diploma in therapeutics which, once completed, will make her an Independent Prescriber of ophthalmic medicines.
Bhavina regularly volunteers for the charity Crisis, providing eyecare services to the homeless. She works part time in our Chislehurst practice and enjoys her work at Linklater & Warren Opticians immensely, especially meeting the lovely patients!
In her spare time she enjoys yoga, hiking and spending time with her 2 small children!
Sophie Hinton - BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Med Ret
- Optometrist
Special interest: Medical retina
Sophie graduated from the University of Leeds in 2009 with a BSc in Biology and a MSc in Biodiversity and Conservation. She went on to do research and work within wildlife conservation for five years until she moved to South America. Here, she inadvertently developed an interest in visual science after volunteering with an ophthalmologist in Argentina in 2015.
She returned to study Optometry at City, University of London and graduated with a first-class Honours in 2018. Sophie achieved her professional qualification in October 2019. During her pre-registration year Sophie gained experience at St Thomas' Eye Hospital, shadowing specialist optometrists and ophthalmologists in extended clinics including cataract, glaucoma, contact lens, low vision and urgent care units.
Sophie's areas of special interest lie in medical retina research and clinical practice, she has recently obtained her Professional Certificate in Medical Retina with UCL and Moorfields Eye Hospital in 2022. She has previously guest hosted a College of Optometry podcast and assisted Prof. Mike Powner with his research at the Vision Lab in City, University of London. During her pre-registry year, she volunteered for Vision Care for the Homeless to open a new clinic in Stratford and the Brien Holden Vision Institute (in Australia) to develop an environmental framework for their optometric practice.
Outside of work, Sophie enjoys gymnastics, running, being active outdoors and practising Spanish.
Thanh-Thuy (nee Le) - BSc(Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist
Special interest: Myopia management
Thuy graduated from City University, London in 2013 with a first class honours degree in Optometry. During her university studies, she received six awards which included the highest aggregate marks in clinical subjects and also for ocular therapeutics, pathology and contact lenses.
In 2014, she achieved her professional qualification and has since worked full time in community practice. She gained accreditation to provide services under the Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS) in 2016 and she enjoys the variety of managing patients under the MECS scheme.
She became interested in myopia management and so in 2021, keen for an opportunity to expand her scope of practice, she joined the Linklater Warren team as a full time optometrist.
In her spare time, Thuy enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Anna Poole - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist
Special interest: Paediatric optometry, visual stress & colorimetry
Anna achieved a first-class honours degree in optometry from City University in 2009 and is a member of the College of Optometrists. Anna did her pre-registration year at the Oxford Eye Hospital where she gained experience in fitting complex contact lenses, e.g. for irregularly shaped eyes or for cosmetic purposes following an eye injury or disease, and assessing patients with Low Vision. She received 5 awards at university for clinical work, professional studies, visual perception, ocular therapeutics and best second-year student. She also did a degree in Physics before she decided to study Optometry.
Anna started working for the Linklater Warren practices in October 2010 and her areas of Special interests are colorimetry, cataract and glaucoma referral refinement. She works part of the week at Moorfields Eye Hospital specialising in paediatrics and contact lenses.
Anna lives in Blackheath, and her hobbies include military fitness, running and travel.
Nicholas Sage - BSc (Hons) MCOptom Prof Cert Glauc
- Optometrist
Special interest: Glaucoma, contact lenses and myopia management
Nick started his career in optics in 2002 as a lab technician; making and repairing spectacles. He is a fellow of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, having qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2006 and then studying further to become a Contact Lens Optician in 2008. Nick received four awards during his contact lens studies in both theoretical and practical modules.
In 2011 Nick graduated from the University of Bradford with a first-class honours degree in Optometry, gaining a professional qualification in July 2012 and becoming a member of the College of Optometrists. Nick received two awards for highest marks in clinical practice and overall highest mark on the degree course.
In 2014 and keen for a new challenge Nick left Boots Opticians Sevenoaks where he had worked for many years and joined the Linklater Warren team as a full-time Optometrist. He currently works at our Sevenoaks and Bexleyheath branches.
Before a career in optics Nick completed an honours degree in Business Studies and Sport & Exercise Science at Canterbury Christ Church University.
When not at work, Nick is a keen cook and enjoys many different sports (although only watching nowadays!).
Lesley Stuart - BSc (Hons ) MCOptom MMed Sci (Orthoptics) HCPC
- Orthoptist and Optometrist
Special interest: Binocular vision abnormalities, children’s vision and glaucoma.
Lesley joined the Linklater Warren team as a pre-registration optometrist in September 2021 and completed the College of Optometrists’ common final examination in Summer 2022 to become a fully qualified optometrist. She graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Optometry from City University, London in June 2021.
Lesley has many years of clinical eyecare experience having worked in many NHS eye departments around the UK as a qualified orthoptist prior to becoming an Optometrist. She completed an undergraduate degree in Orthoptics from Glasgow Caledonian University in 1994 and went on to complete a post-graduate Masters in Medical Science in Orthoptics from Sheffield University in 2006. She has worked as an advanced-role orthoptist in various specialist ophthalmological clinics including neuro-ophthalmology and glaucoma. She also completed a post-graduate Masters Level Certificate in Clinical Education in 1998 from Glasgow Caledonian and has been involved in the teaching of trainee Ophthalmologists, orthoptic students and other health care professionals.
In 2010 she began working as advanced-role orthoptist working within the glaucoma clinic at Queen Marys Hospital in Sidcup. During this time she was trained by Consultant Ophthalmologist, Mr Saurabh Goyal, and in 2013 she obtained a post-graduate Masters Level Certificate in Glaucoma from City University.
Outside Optometry and Orthoptics Lesley has two (nearly grown up) boys and loves spending time with her family, becoming a better skier and improving her French/Italian.
Lesley is passionate about bringing her orthoptic knowledge and experience into her daily Optometric practice within community care. She is uniquely dual qualified as a clinically experienced Orthoptist and now Optometrist and provides private orthoptic assessments at our Sevenoaks branch; Leslie Warren Opticians.
Sara Windsor - BSc (Hons) MCOptom
- Optometrist
Special interest: Visual stress & colorimetry, learning disabilities and dry eye syndrome
Sara graduated from Cardiff University in 1993 with a first-class honours degree in Ophthalmic Optics. Her professional qualification was gained in 1994 following a pre-registration year under the supervision of Gordon Ilett in private practice at Linklaters Optometrists in Bexleyheath and at Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Aside from a year off to travel the world in 1996, Sara has practiced within the Linklater group since qualifying and at Leslie Warren Opticians since 1999.
As a member of the Society of Coloured Lens prescribers Sara has a keen interest in Specific Learning difficulties and she is accredited to prescribe precision tinted lenses to relieve symptoms of Visual Stress. She is a member of the West Kent Community Ophthalmology Team and is accredited to screen diabetic patients through the Paula Carr Optometry Service (diabetic retinopathy screening service). Sara has developed an interest in the management of dry eye and recently helped launch the dry eye clinic available at both practices.
Sara enjoys running, netball, riding and skiing. Married to Mark and having three girls, Anna, Alice and Lucy, she practices on a part-time basis combining professional and family life and thoroughly enjoying both.
Jodie Sunderland - FBDO
- Dispensing Optician Manager, Leslie Warren Opticians
Special interest: Paediatric dispensing and frame styling
Jodie has 20 years of experience working within the optical industry and, during that time, has worked with in several independent practices. In 2014 Jodie qualified as a dispensing optician after successfully completing a three year diploma in Ophthalmic Dispensing at City and Islington College. In 2016 she joined the Linklater Warren team.
Throughout her career, Jodie has gained expertise in various areas within the industry including time spent working as an ophthalmic lab technician. After a short break to start a family, Jodie returned to the Linklater Warren team and has worked at each of the 3 practices in a assistant managerial role. In 2022 Jodie was appointed practice manager of Leslie Warren Opticians.
Jodie particularly enjoys bespoke and paediatric dispensing and takes great pride in the service she provides to all of her patients.
Jodie spends her spare time with her young family exploring country parks and woodlands, there isn't a park that they haven't explored!
Rani Thumber - FBDO
- Dispensing Optician Manager, Linklaters Optometrists
Special interest: Complex prescriptions and frame styling
Rani has over 25 years of optical experience working in a range of practices from the clinical setting of the Institute of Optometry to the fashion focused practices of London's westend. Rani studied ophthalmic dispensing at the City and Islington College and was appointed practice manager of Linklaters Optometrists in 2021.
Rani is passionate about patient care and customer service and this is at the core of her approach. She believes spectacle frame styling should be fun and enjoys helping her patients find their perfect pair of spectacles that combine optimal vision correction, comfort and style. She takes price in her team and enjoys the challenge of teaching. Rani works hard to keep abreast of technical developments and fashion trends relevant to the optical industry.
In her spare time Rani enjoys time with her family and friends and spends time volunteering within the community to provide meals for those in need.
Hazel Willby - FBDO
- Dispensing Optician Manager, Linklater & Warren Opticians
Special interest: Teaching, complex prescriptions and frame design
Hazel became the manager of Linklater and Warren Opticians in 2022, having previously been manager of our Sevenoaks practice since 2000. Prior to that she worked in both independent and multiple practices in the South-East as a dispensing optician.
Hazel studied to be a Dispensing Optician at City & East London College and throughout her career has seen (and worn) some amazing spectacle styles She has a keen interest in the fashion side of dispensing, and how this can work to the best advantage with the technical and practical aspects of lenses for each patient. Hazel has attended courses on frame styling, face shapes, and colours (colour-me-beautiful), and continues to upgrade her knowledge about the technical aspects of lenses, frame materials, and optics. In 2012 Hazel successfully completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Management at Anglia Ruskin University (Chelmsford).
Hazel's hobbies include figure skating (90% watching, 10% participating), reading science fiction/fantasy, costume making, and art and design. Her favourite museums are the Victoria and Albert, and the Design museum, and in her free time can be found exploring the various exhibitions there.
