< Back Matt Baker RHAD, MSHAA Matt qualified as an Audiologist in 1999, and has been passionate about clinical, patient focused hearing care ever since. Matt has been with Taylor Biddle since 2022, practising out of Wombourne. His wife Aphra is the resident Clinical Audiologist at Compton. Both Matt and Aphra believe in clinical, in-depth audiological testing and aftercare, and provide a service that is second to none in the private sector, specialising in tailored hearing solutions and comprehensive aftercare treatment programmes. In his spare time Matt enjoys spending time with the couple's many animals, teaching himself guitar, traditional archery, paddleboarding and photography. Clinical Audiologist

Myopia control or myopia management is the area of children's eye care dedicated to slowing down childhood myopia progression. MYOPIA CONTROL Myopia (short sightedness) is becoming far more prevalent amongst children, and it’s estimated that by the year 2050, roughly half of the world’s population will be myopic. Some children have a continual progression of their myopia throughout their school years – often only stabilising when they have achieved full growth/adulthood. Children are more likely to have progressive myopia if: One or both parents are myopic Being of East Asian ethnic origin Spending limited time outdoors/lots of close/computer work Developing myopia before nine years old may significantly increase the risk of developing high myopia Not only does myopia progression means that the spectacles get thicker and heavier as they increase in strength, and that your child becomes more dependent on them as they are increasingly unable to see without them, but there are eye health benefits of limiting the progression and end stage prescription. Myopia management may reduce the risk of your child developing myopia related sight loss in adulthood. We now have several methods open to us to limit the progression of myopia. MYOPA MANAGEMENT CONTACT LENSES There are two types of contact lenses available: Soft specialist daily contact lenses – which need to be worn for about 10-12 hours a day for at least 6 days a week. Spectacles are required when contact lenses are not worn. The contact lenses can be fitted from as young as 8 years old. They go up to a -6.00 prescription and the direct debit is £45pm. Ortho K/EyeDream lenses – These are ‘hard’ lenses which are worn overnight. The lens gently reshapes the cornea (front of the eye) altering the prescription so that spectacles/contacts are not required during the day. These lenses are worn every night for a minimum of 8 hours. Additional spectacles are not required. These lenses can be fitted from the age of 8 and manage myopia (short sightedness) up to -4.50 and astigmatism up to -1.50. Click here to learn more. MYOPIA MANAGEMENT SPECTACLE LENSES If your child would prefer glasses instead of contact lenses, we are proud to offer two different advanced spectacle lenses as an alternative - MiYOSMART and Stellest. From HOYA, the MiYOSMART lenses are an innovative spectacle lens incorporating ‘DIMs’ technology (defocus incorporated multiple segments). Worn full time, they are lightweight, impact resistant and go up to a -10.00 prescription. Stellest lenses from Essilor also aim to slow the progression of Myopia. Thanks to their H.A.L.T technology, research suggests that Stellest lenses can slow down myopia progression by 67% on average when compared to single vision lenses. The initial set-up fee for MiYOSMART or Stellest lenses is £195 which includes the NHS voucher and a basic frame, thereafter a direct debit payment of £45pm. All follow-up appointments are included together with new lenses every 12 months or sooner if there is a prescription change. A second pair can be purchased at a special price of £100 which includes a basic frame. All the above monthly direct debits include any NHS sight tests and vouchers applicable. No method is guaranteed to work, but research shows an average of 60% slowing down of Myopia progression. Quick links: CHILDRENS EYECARE ORTHO-K

< Back Aphra Elisabeth Baker & Abi Davis RHAD, MSHAA & BSc Aphra With over 20 years of experience in audiology, Aphra is dedicated to helping people improve their hearing and enhance their quality of life. She specialises in treating a wide range of hearing issues—everything from mild hearing loss to more complex conditions and tinnitus management. Aphra works for The Hearing Care Partnership at Taylor Biddle Opticians , where she takes pride in offering personalised care to each patient. She is committed to understanding their unique needs and providing tailored solutions to ensure they hear more clearly and comfortably. Working alongside her husband, Matt Baker at the Wombourne branch, and our dedicated Hearing Care Assistant, Abi Davis, Aphra is part of a supportive, knowledgeable team that focuses on patient-centered care. Outside of her professional life, Aphra enjoys reading, archery, paddleboarding, and wild swimming. She’s also a devoted animal lover, caring for a variety of pets, including cats, ducks, chickens, and peacocks. With a passion for making a difference in people’s lives, Aphra is excited to help you hear the world around you more clearly. Abi In 2023, Abi graduated from the University of Warwick with a First-Class Honours degree in Biomedical Science and began her career in audiology. She finds great satisfaction in helping patients improve their hearing and reconnect with the world around them. Being part of their journey toward better hearing and an enhanced quality of life is deeply rewarding for her. Outside of work, Abi enjoys socialising over brunch with friends, attending live music events, reading, and spending time with her pet tortoise. Clinical Audiologist

< Back Tracey Taylor BSc (Hons) MCOptom Tracey graduated in Optometry from Aston University, then worked for independent opticians, and as a locum optician for a few years to gather experience. She met up with Mike Biddle whilst working in the old Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary- and they went into partnership starting Taylor Biddle Opticians in Compton in 1994, followed by the Wombourne practice in 1996. Mike retired from the partnership and Olha joined in 2014 and Hasan in 2021. Tracey was on the Local Optical Committee for over 15 years, becoming co-chair. She has always been keen to embrace new technology and TBO were the first in the Midlands to have retinal cameras, then 3D OCT scanner, and Optomap. She strongly believes that the patient is the centre of the business and this has become the ethos for the whole business. Tracey is a keen tennis player and horse rider, competing in eventing horse trials. She is married to Andrew, a vet, and they have two daughters. They enjoy walking holidays- in fact all sorts of holidays, and seeing friends. Optometrist Director

Now we are offering Private Diabetic Assessments as a part of our extended examinations utilising our cutting edge eye-scanning technology. DIABETIC SCREENING It is with regret that we have now withdrawn from the NHS diabetic screening programme, as due to the current COVID 19 situation we are concentrating on maximising safety and distancing measures by giving our patients more time ans space with extended examinations. Now we are offering a Private Diabetic Assessments as a part of our extended examinations utilising our cutting edge eye scanning technology. The NHS retinal screening photographs are just surface photographs of the central 30° of the retina. We are able to use much more sophisticated equipment to look at the back of the eye in much more detail than the basic retinal photograph. These additional tests, OCT and Optomap, offer 3 dimensional views and 180° views respectively and are not to be confused with the retinal photography. DIABETIC APPOINTMENTS AT TAYLOR BIDDLE Our experienced optometrists, who have extra qualifications in Diabetic retinal disease, will thoroughly check the scans and send a report to your GP with the results. We still recommend that you attend your NHS diabetic eye screening when invited to do so. The Private Diabetic Assessments are included in our Eyecare Plans. Click here to learn more about our Eyecare Plans.

Taylor Biddle Opticians was founded in 1994 by Tracey Taylor and Mike Biddle at the Compton premises. Two years later the Wombourne practice was opened. YOUR INDEPENDENT OPTICIANS IN WOLVERHAMPTON Taylor Biddle Opticians was founded in 1994 by Tracey Taylor and Mike Biddle at the Compton premises. Two years later the Wombourne practice was opened. Mike left in 2010, and in 2014 Olha Lac joined Tracey as co-director, adding to Tracey’s wealth of experience in the optical world. Olha has worked for Taylor Biddle since 2005 and has gained extra qualifications in visual dyslexia which has helped many children achieve their potential. In April 2021 Hasan Akhtar joined Tracey and Olha as co-director after working at Taylor Biddle since 2018. Hasan specialises in Medical Retina and Glaucoma and encourages further education and training to ensure the practice is at the forefront of providing an excellent eyecare service. YOUR PATIENT JOURNEY We endeavour to offer a service as special as your eyes as we believe you deserve the very best. 1 Call us or click to book your appointment online. 2 Quick Q&A to assess your current eye health, history and individual needs. 3 Your eye health check with state-of-the-art technology. 4 If required, it's time for expert advice on eyewear styling or new contact lenses. 5 Collection, fitting & aftercare for maintaining clear vision. BOOK ONLINE OUR DEDICATED TEAM Taylor Biddle team members stay with us for many years, ensuring a strong, knowledgeable and cohesive team. Customer service is at the heart of what we all do. This ethos, combined with heavily investing in the latest technology to improve eye care, plus offering an extensive range of frames and lenses, ensures that we will always offer the very best clinical service. MEET THE TEAM WE ARE PROUD TO OFFER EXCEPTIONAL CARE “Taylor Biddle Opticians look after three generations in our family with equal care and expertise. Tracey is always available for caring support and we have easy access to appointments. Staff are welcoming and friendly at both practices.” - S.D Claverley - READ MORE REVIEWS WELCOME TO WOMBOURNE WELCOME TO COMPTON

< Back Donna Lloyd Donna has been working at Taylor Biddle since 2016. She loves the diversity of her job and meeting new people as well as welcoming back our loyal regulars. Donna lives in Wolverhampton with partner Graham and 2 children. She enjoys reading, going to the theatre, meeting up with friends and socialising with our TBO family. Donna is self confessed the world’s biggest Elvis fan! Branch Manager Optical Dispenser

< Back Elisha Dhir BSc (Hons) MCOptom Dip ScV M.ASvP Elisha graduated from The University of Manchester in 2020 with a First-Class Honours degree in Optometry and qualified as an Optometrist in 2022 following her pre-registration year at Taylor Biddle. She has recently completed her School Vision Diploma which involves seeing patients with binocular vision anomalies and visual stress. In her free time, Elisha enjoys socialising, dining in restaurants and visiting new places. Optometrist

< Back Tracy Morris Tracy has worked at Taylor Biddle as an Optical Assistant since 2014 and enjoys all aspects of working alongside our great team. She loves keeping fit and travelling to new places. Optical Assistant

< Back Olha Lac BSc (Hons) MCOptom Dip ScV M.ASvP Olha graduated from Aston University in 2004 with a First Class Honours Degree in Optometry and over the next 10 years worked for Taylor Biddle before joining Tracey as a Director in 2014. Her vision for the business is firmly focused on embracing the latest cutting edge technology and providing the very best quality of eyecare and eyewear to the local community. Olha’s youngest son has learning difficulties so since qualifying her specialist interest is in binocular vision anomalies, Visual Stress and the way it can affect visual processing whilst reading. Over the past 10 years she has developed a combined method of using a battery of Schoolvision tests, Colorimetry and more traditional methods to detect and treat deficiencies that affect visual processing and improve reading and learning for schoolchildren and adults. As an award winning practitioner, she has helped hundreds of children and adults to find solution to their problems and finds it immensely rewarding to see the amazing difference the treatment can make on children’s education and especially their confidence. In her free time Olha loves cooking, yoga and beach holidays. Optometrist Director

< Back Joanna Peppiatt BSc (Hons) MCOptom Joanna has been qualified Optometrist since 2007 after graduating from Anglia Ruskin University. She enjoys all aspects of optometry and specialises in Eyedream Orthokeratology Contact lenses. She likes reading, running and spending time with family. Optometrist

< Back Julia Kwiatkowski As Practice Manager at Taylor Biddle, Julia enjoys taking on the many challenges that help to make the business thrive. Outside of work, her main interests are gardening, antiques, design, music and socialising with friends and family. Practice Manager