22/05/2026
The Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers is saddened to announce the death, at age 85, of Past Master Professor Mo Jalie DSc, SMSA, FBDO (Hons), HonFCOptom, HonFCGI, MIMgt.
Mo was best known as the author of The Principles of Ophthalmic Lenses. Now in its sixth edition, this has become the standard text on spectacle lenses for optometrists, dispensing opticians, and optical technicians.
After qualifying, he began writing, teaching and lecturing on optics, rising to become Head of the Applied Optics Department at City & Islington College. Mo was also known as a lens-design consultant to many major manufacturers, and obtained patents for a new generation of low-power aspheric lenses. He latterly served as a Visiting Professor in Optometry at Ulster University, which awarded him an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) in 2018. Over the course of his career, he published eight textbooks and authored more than 250 papers.
Mo had a long association with the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, admitted as a Freeman in 1962 and serving as Master in 1993–94. He was also the first Chairman of the Faculty of Dispensing Opticians and the first Chairman of the Academic Committee at ABDO.
Fiona Anderson, Master of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers, said: "As we mourn the death of Past Master Mo Jalie, we celebrate his immense and continuing impact on generations of opticians, optometrists, and optical technicians. On behalf of the Company, I offer condolences to Sheila and to Mo's whole family on this very sad loss."
Mo is survived by his wife Sheila, his sons Jeremy and Simon, his daughter Natalie, their spouses, and his grandchildren.
