Hodd Barnes & Dickins

What Hodd Barnes & Dickins does

Hodd Barnes & Dickins is a family-owned independent optician established in 1903 and operating from a single retail location at 94 High Holborn in central London. The practice provides comprehensive eye examinations lasting up to 40 minutes, contact lens fitting and aftercare (including orthokeratology and myopia management), and an in-house lens laboratory that enables same-day delivery of single-vision prescription glasses for qualifying prescriptions. The clinical service is augmented by OCT retinal scanning and AI-powered screening partnerships with Mediwhale (Reti-CVD cardiovascular risk assessment and Dr Noon eye-disease detection), making the practice the first UK clinic to adopt Mediwhale's Reti-CVD technology.

The retail proposition centers on a curated portfolio of more than 15 luxury and premium designer eyewear brands, including authorized distribution of Cartier Eyewear (Cartier Boutique in Central London) and the largest Lindberg stockist with Platinum Partner status in the UK, alongside Chrome Hearts, Dita, Savile Row, Lunor, Maui Jim, Tom Ford, Maybach, Garrett Leight, Ørgreen, Silhouette, and others. The practice also retails Even Realities G2 smart glasses, adding a digital wearable category to the traditional prescription frame offering. Lens partners include Zeiss, Nikon, and Hoya across single vision, varifocal, occupational, Transitions, polarized, and sports-specific products.

The business operates on a direct-to-consumer retail model with pay-as-you-go unit pricing on consultations and eyewear; no subscription, insurance, or enterprise contract layer is present. Customers are predominantly walk-in or appointment-driven individuals in central London, spanning professionals seeking premium eyewear, luxury eyewear buyers, sports and active lifestyle enthusiasts, and health-conscious individuals interested in AI-augmented preventive screening. The practice is privately held by the Pirbhai family with no external funding and 5-6 staff, including optometrists with 45-year tenure and Fellowship credentials.

Name

Hodd Barnes & Dickins

Legal name

Hodd Barnes & Dickins Ltd.

Website

https://hoddbarnesdickins.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1903

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hodd Barnes & Dickins is a family-owned independent optician founded in 1903 at 94 High Holborn, London, offering comprehensive eye examinations, an in-house lens lab for same-day glasses, AI-powered retinal screening, and luxury designer eyewear from Cartier, Lindberg, and 15+ premium brands to central London professionals and luxury eyewear buyers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Optical Retail and Eye Care

NAICS

Offices of Optometrists (62132), Optical Goods Retailers (45613), Ophthalmic Goods Manufacturing (339115)

SIC

Ophthalmic Goods (3851)

akta.pro primary industry

Optical Dispensing & Eyewear Devices (Frames, Lenses, Lens Edging/Finishing Equipment) (HLAHAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Optometry Clinics (Primary Eye Care) (HLAKAKAB), Sunglasses & Luxury Eyewear (CRAKAEAE), Luxury & Designer Eyewear (CRAAAKAD)

Keywords

• Independent optician services
• Comprehensive eye examinations
• Designer eyewear retail
• Same-day prescription glasses
• Contact lens fitting

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Eyewear Sales: Sale of prescription glasses, sunglasses, and designer frames. Services include single vision, varifocal, and specialty lenses. Same-day service available for qualifying prescriptions. Stock extensive designer brands including Cartier, Lindberg, Chrome Hearts, Dita, Garrett Leight, Maui Jim, Oakley, Lunor, Savile Row.
2. Eye Examinations: Comprehensive eye tests lasting up to 40 minutes including vision assessment, ocular health screening, OCT scans, and glaucoma testing. AI-powered cardiovascular risk screening available as add-on service.
3. Contact Lens Services: Contact lens fitting, supply, and aftercare services. Daily disposables, multifocal, and specialty lenses available. Orthokeratology (overnight vision correction) lenses also offered.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hodd Barnes & Dickins is an independent optician in central London providing comprehensive eye examinations (including OCT scanning and AI-powered cardiovascular risk screening via Reti-CVD), prescription eyewear (single vision, varifocal, occupational, Myosmart, driving, Transitions and polarized lenses), same-day prescription glasses via an in-house lab, contact lens fitting and aftercare (including orthokeratology), and retail of an extensive range of luxury and designer eyewear brands such as Cartier, Lindberg, Chrome Hearts, Dita, Maui Jim, Savile Row, Garrett Leight, Lunor, Oakley, Silhouette, and Even Realities smart glasses. Services are delivered to individual consumers through a single Holborn practice with in-person consultations and a linked online appointment booking system.

Product overview

Hodd Barnes & Dickins is an independent optician established in 1903, offering a comprehensive eyewear and eye care portfolio. Core services include same-day prescription glasses with in-house lab capabilities, advanced eye examinations with OCT scanning, AI-powered cardiovascular retinal screening (Reti-CVD), and orthokeratology for myopia management. The practice distributes an extensive range of designer eyewear brands including luxury labels (Cartier, Chrome Hearts, Tom Ford, Maybach, Hublot, John Dalia), premium Danish designs (Lindberg including Precious and Kids collections), sports eyewear (Oakley), and artisanal brands (Dita, Maui Jim, Savile Row, Lunor, Silhouette, Garrett Leight, Rolf, Masunaga, Ørgreen). Lens offerings include Zeiss, Nikon, bespoke varifocals, occupational/computer lenses, driving glasses, Myosmart myopia control lenses, Transitions photochromic, polarized sunglasses, and sports-specific lenses. The practice also retails Even Realities G2 smart glasses featuring digital displays, AI translation, and navigation capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Same day glasses service for prescriptions within -8.00 to +4.00 range and Cylinder up to -2.00
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Heart EyecoreTechnology or IntegrationHealthcare technology partnership for AI-powered Reti-CVD cardiovascular risk assessment. Hodd Barnes & Dickins was the first UK clinic to adopt Mediwhale's Reti-CVD technology for detecting cardiovascular risk through retinal image analysis.
• Even RealitiescoreTechnology or IntegrationStockist and authorized retailer of Even Realities smart glasses (G1 and G2 models). Based in Berlin and Shenzhen, Even Realities combines luxury design with advanced digital features including real-time translation, navigation, and AI-powered contextual assistance.
• LindbergflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLargest UK stockist and Platinum Partner of Lindberg eyewear. Offers exclusive limited edition pieces with less than 50 pieces produced worldwide. Stock extensive range including Lindberg Precious (18k gold, platinum, buffalo horn) and Lindberg Kids collections.
• Cartier EyewearflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Cartier eyewear shop and official Cartier Boutique in Central London. Stocks extensive and exclusive collection of Cartier glasses and sunglasses including designs made from acetate, titanium, wood, horn, gold, rhodium, and diamonds.
• Dita EyewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized stockist of Dita eyewear - designed in Los Angeles, handcrafted in Japan. Known for celebrity clientele including David Beckham, J-Lo, and Jamie Foxx. Creating a single frame design can take up to 8 months.
• Maui JimcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized stockist of Maui Jim sunglasses featuring patented PolarizedPlus2 technology for outstanding color and glare elimination. Popular for beach, pool, and outdoor activities with corrosion-resistant materials.
• Savile Row EyewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Savile Row eyewear stockist since 1898. Handcrafted in London using traditional equipment. 18k rolled gold glasses go through 120 meticulous processes. Famous clients include John Lennon, Sean Connery, Johnny Depp, Eric Clapton, Denzel Washington, Harrison Ford.
• Chrome Hearts EyewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Chrome Hearts eyewear stockist. Brand features luxurious biker-chic styling with gothic metal charms, dagger-inspired temples, and fleur-de-lys motifs. Worn by Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera, Marilyn Manson, Elton John, Angelina Jolie, Karl Lagerfeld.
• Garrett LeightcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Garrett Leight stockist. California-inspired eyewear brand founded by son of Oliver Peoples founder. Frames named after Venice, LA streets including Boon, Hampton, Brooks, Kinney, Paloma, Wilson.
• Oakley Sports EyewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Oakley sports eyewear stockist for cycling, golf, running, swimming, fishing and other sports. Features impact and velocity resistant lenses with specialized sport-specific designs.
• Lunor EyewearcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAuthorized Lunor glasses stockist. German-made vintage-inspired eyewear using 200 precise handcrafting steps. Clients include Elton John, Tom Cruise, Oprah Winfrey, Steve Jobs. Founded 1991 by optician Gernot Lindner.
• Ørgreen EyewearminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStockist of Ørgreen eyewear - Danish design brand combining Scandinavian elegance with premium titanium and acetate craftsmanship.
• SilhouettecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOfficial Silhouette eyewear stockist. Austrian brand is the official eyewear of NASA astronauts, famed for handcrafted titanium spectacles. Rimless, hingeless, and screwless revolutionary design.
• ZeisscoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred lens partner offering premium optical lenses used in camera lenses and technology applications. Provides high-definition vision lenses and advanced optical technology.
• NikoncoreTechnology or IntegrationJapanese lens manufacturer partner providing advanced optical lenses. Nikon camera lens technology applied to eyewear.
• HoyacoreTechnology or IntegrationLens technology partner offering occupational and office lenses. Hoya has developed workstyle lenses for complex modern office and computer work environments.
• MediwhalecoreTechnology or IntegrationSouth Korean healthcare AI company behind Reti-CVD technology. Developed AI-powered retinal screening for cardiovascular risk assessment. Hodd Barnes & Dickins was first UK adopter of this technology.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Ace & Tate: Direct-to-consumer eyewear brand with London stores and online-first model. Competes for the same aspirational customer segment but with a fundamentally different digital-led, lower-price delivery model.
• Glasses Direct: Online-only UK optical retailer owned by EssilorLuxottica. Represents the price-disruptive digital channel that encroaches on the prescription eyewear category HBD serves primarily in-store.

Broad incumbents

• David Clulow: UK premium optical chain with multiple London stores. Most direct incumbent comparator in luxury eyewear positioning, bridging mass-market chains and true independents.
• Boots Opticians: Optical retail arm of UK pharmacy chain Boots, offering standard eye exams and eyewear. Represents the convenience-led broad competitor in the same primary categories.
• Specsavers: UK-dominant optical and hearing care chain with 800+ stores. Competes for the same core eye examination and eyewear category but at mass-market price points, providing the dominant volume alternative to premium independents.
• Vision Express: Major UK optical retail chain with nationwide presence. Competes with HBD on standard eye tests and prescription eyewear, representing the mid-market competitive frame.

Direct peers

• Tom Davies: British bespoke eyewear brand with London flagship offering made-to-measure frames and comprehensive eye care. Comparable in custom-bespoke positioning and premium London clientele.
• Cutler and Gross: UK luxury eyewear brand and retailer founded in 1969 with a strong presence in London. Comparable in brand-led luxury positioning and designer frame curation, though with broader multi-location retail.
• Perspective Opticians: UK independent optician focused on high-end designer eyewear and primary eye care. Similar model of combining clinical examination with luxury retail in a single practice.
• Cubitts: London-based independent optician that similarly operates its own in-house lens lab for same-day service and premium eyewear positioning. Closest direct comparison in business model and target customer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hbdopticians
• Facebookfacebook.com/462679067125706

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hodd Barnes & Dickins