Agnes Ali

Neuro-Developmental Optometrist, BSc (Hons) Optometry, MBABO

 

Born and bred in Switzerland, I qualified there as a dispensing optician in 1997.

 

I spent the next 5 years in Jordan working on a project of the Christian Blind mission. Working alongside an American Optometrist I was inspired to pursue an Optometry career and hence came to the UK to study. Since qualifying in 2009 I have worked in independent opticians as well as in hospital eye departments.

 

I have always loved working with children and was introduced to Neuro-Developmental / Behavioural Optometry in 2010 when I started working for Keith Holland in Cheltenham. Due to family commitments, it took 10 years from my first being exposed to Behavioural Optometry to actually start studying and practicing it. In autum 2021 I became an accredited member of BABO (the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists www.babo.co.uk).

 

Further, in 2021 I became accredited as Johansen Idividualised Auditory Stimulation provider (www.johansenias.com). 

 

I have increased my knowledge on Neurodevelopment of the child over the years by attending various courses, most notably the "Developing Brains Seminars" by Darren Barnes-Heath (Functional Neurologist) and Shelley Birkett-Eyles (Occupational Therapist) in 2025-2026, with a main focus on understanding, assessing and treating Primitive Reflexes. 

I further expand my knowledge through a wide range of reading on neurological function, neurodiversity and child developemnt. 

 

Alongside my Neuro-Developmental Optometry work I am currently also working at The Vision Centre in Gloucester as well as Gloucester Royal Hospital.

 

I am registered with the General Optical Council.

 

Away from Optometry I am a wife, mum and step-mum, keen vegetable gardener cyclist and I enjoy my (almost) daily yoga practices.

 

 

Katie Kempster

Vision Therapist

I am a trained teacher and have taught for twenty years. I took a keen interest in Vision Therapy after I attended sessions with my daughter. As a result, I have now completed my RMTi training and excited to put my new found knowledge into practise. 

 

Currently working for Agnes one day a week, delivering therapy and responding to enquiries online and completing admin tasks throughout the week. 

 

Away from work, I love spending time with my family, visiting new places and reading.