BIOGRAPHY VANESSA HO-YAN

Clinical and Professional Services Director for 20-20 Optical Store

Vanessa started at 20-20 Optical Store as an Optometrist and was quickly promoted to Senior Optometrist and then Manager of Professional Services. As Clinical and Professional Services Director for 20-20 Optical Store, her activities include company professional etiquette and constant direct involvement with her optometrists, clinical manager and clinical support teams.

Vanessa has taken 20-20 to being the first in the world to implement and utilize revolutionary Optomap™ Retinal Imaging technology on a mandatory basis as part of the standard eye care consultation. This involved overseeing the integration of the system into two practices - staff training and price negotiations with Optos Plc. 20-20 is the only practice in the world that heavily subsidises the cost of the Optomap exam so that all patients may benefit without incurring additional expenses on top of the eye exam fee. Optomap™ technology sets 20-20 apart from its competitors allowing its optometrists to see up to 200 degrees of the back of the eye - far more than that achieved by conventional methods. Vanessa believes that clinical excellence and effective communication are of paramount importance.

Vanessa was responsible for conducting clinical trials on silicone-hydrogel contact lenses and daily disposable contact lenses where she used her findings to decipher product ranges within 20-20 Optical Store. Her belief in freedom of choice allows the professional team to offer the best product available to each individual client, so unlike some groups where product choice is restricted, 20-20 optometrists experience professional autonomy such that its clients are the beneficiaries of tailor-made eye care.

Prior to joining 20-20 Optical Store, Vanessa worked for Wagener, Harebottle and Associates in Natal, South Africa as the Optometrist to five of their key branches in Durban Central, Umbilo, Amanzimtoti, Umkomaas and Greytown.

Vanessa’s academic and membership achievements include a Bachelor’s degree in Optometry (Hons), awarded cum laude, from the University of Durban-Westville, South Africa; Fellow of the Optometric Association of South Africa and a member of the College of Optometrists, UK. She is also a Supervisor for the College of Optometrists and has overseen the internship of three student optometrists.

Vanessa’s press credentials have positioned her as a platform of authority on all things pertaining to eye care and has been an expert guest for BBC, Channel 5, Sky News and numerous women’s consumer publications.

Vanessa was awarded two overseas research scholarships: one from the University of Bradford (UK) in 1997 and the other from the University of New South Wales, Sydney Australia in 1996. Both were for PHD placements.

She has been with 20-20 Optical Store for six years.

For interviews with Vanessa or more information on 20-20 Optical Store please contact Isobel Klempka at Fearnhurst PR on 020 7499 3334 or email ikempka@fearnhurstpr.com