The Practice
Mr Burnett Hodd comes from a long tradition of optometry. His grandfather George William Hodd opened the first practice in 1912 at 90 Moorgate with his partner Mr Burnett. Since then all children born into the family are given the name Burnett as a middle name.
The specialist contact lens practice at 7 Devonshire St was opened in 1955 by Mr Burnett Hodd's father Frederick.
Frederick Arthur Burnett Hodd (1911-1999)
Frederick Burnett Hodd MBE was a contact lens pioneer, he was one of the first to see the potential for contact lenses. His specialist interest was in fitting difficult cases and he also designed lenses, for example the Hodd Tapered lens. Lenses could be made in the laboratory in the basement. He was also president of the British Optical Association from 1968-69 and 1977-78 and was given honorary life membership.
Mr Nigel Burnett Hodd joined the practice in 1973 and Frederick retired a year later.
Nigel Frederick Burnett Hodd
Nigel has continued the practice's specialist contact lens status. He has the Diploma of Contact Lens Practice from the College of Optometrists and has been president of the British Contact Lens Association. This year he was given received honorary life membership of the BCLA in recognition of his significant contribution to the Association. He has also expanded the practice in other directions with the introduction of the extended eye exam, dyslexia assessments, and myopia prevention. The laboratory in the basement has become No 7 Contact Lens Laboratory, now based in Hastings a leading supplier of RGP contact lenses in Britain.
Sophie Taylor-West joined the practice in 2006. She graduated from Cardiff University with a first in Optometry, won the prize for ophthalmic drugs at her professional exams and then spent three years in practice before setting her sights on Devonshire Street's specialist contact lens practice. She has been instrumental in the introduction of SoClear and Synergeyes lenses in the UK and is now the UK's expert in how to fit them.
Sophie Taylor-West
Dr Caroline Burnett Hodd, Nigel's daughter has also recently joined the practice making her the fourth generation of Hodd optometrists. Caroline graduated from City University with a first in Optometry in 2008 winning three third year prizes. She subsequently trained in London, Croydon and Sidcup before specialising in contact lenses and paediatric eye care at Devonshire St. Previously she obtained a first class degree and a PhD in Physics from the University of London, taught Maths and Science for three years in inner London comprehensives before completing a Masters in Neuroscience (with Distinction) at Imperial College London. During her Masters whilst specialising in the neuroscience of vision she realised that she had an interest in optometry and changed careers. She is very proud to be another Hodd in optometry.
Caroline Burnett Hodd