Dry Eye Yorkshire is the specialist dry eye service of Openshaw Opticians — an independent practice that has been caring for the eyes of people in Kirklees and Calderdale for over 75 years.

We're not a chain. Not a franchise. Not a dry eye service bolted onto a busy high street practice. We're an independent specialist clinic with the equipment, the expertise, and the time to do this properly.

Our Lead Clinician

Steve Dando — MCOptom, Professional Certificate in Glaucoma

Steve has been practising optometry for over 20 years and has built a specialist focus in dry eye disease over the course of his career. He is the principal optometrist and owner of Openshaw Opticians and leads all specialist dry eye assessments and treatments at the clinic.

What sets Steve's approach apart is a combination of clinical rigour and personal experience. He has undergone both IPL and combined LLLT treatment for dry eye himself — which means when he explains what a treatment involves, what it feels like, and what patients can realistically expect, he's speaking from direct personal experience as well as clinical knowledge.

Steve's approach to dry eye care is grounded in honest, evidence-calibrated advice. He won't overstate what a treatment can do, won't recommend something he doesn't genuinely believe will help, and will always tell you clearly what the evidence shows — and where its limits are.

Our Team

Angela Bird Angela is an integral part of the Openshaw Opticians team, supporting the smooth running of the practice and ensuring every patient receives a warm, unhurried experience from the moment they arrive.

Bilam Javed Bilam brings valuable clinical and patient care skills to the practice, supporting assessments and treatments and contributing to the high standard of care we aim to deliver for every patient.

Our Equipment

Specialist dry eye care requires specialist equipment. We've invested in the diagnostic tools needed to properly assess the ocular surface — not just examine it.

Meibomian Gland Imager Infrared meibography allows us to directly visualise the meibomian glands and assess their structure, identifying atrophy and dysfunction that standard examination cannot detect. Every dry eye patient receives gland imaging as part of their assessment.

Eidon Ultra-Widefield Retinal Imaging with Autofluorescence High-resolution widefield retinal imaging supporting comprehensive ocular health assessment alongside specialist dry eye care.

Topcon Slit Lamp with Anterior Imaging Our Topcon slit lamp provides detailed examination of the anterior eye — cornea, conjunctiva, lid margins, and tear film — with imaging capability to document and monitor findings over time.

Medmont E300 Corneal Topographer Corneal topography maps the surface of the cornea in detail — particularly useful in post-LASIK dry eye assessment and contact lens-related presentations where corneal regularity affects tear film distribution and visual quality.

iCare Tonometer Non-contact intraocular pressure measurement supporting glaucoma monitoring alongside our specialist dry eye service.

Our Treatments

We offer a comprehensive range of specialist dry eye treatments, selected on the basis of clinical evidence and clinical need:

• IPL Therapy — intense pulsed light for MGD-driven and rosacea-associated dry eye
• LLLT — Red & Blue Light Therapy — photobiomodulation for inflammation, gland support, and lid disease
• ZEST Eyelid Treatment — professional deep cleaning of the lid margins for blepharitis and Demodex
• NuLids — daily home micro-exfoliation to maintain results between clinic visits

Every treatment recommendation follows a thorough assessment. We don't offer treatments as packages before we know what you need — we assess first and recommend based on what we find.

View all treatments →

Our Approach

Assessment before treatment Every patient starts with a comprehensive dry eye assessment. We use meibomian gland imaging, tear film analysis, lid margin examination, and validated symptom scoring to build a complete picture before recommending anything.

Evidence-based practice Our treatment decisions are grounded in the best available clinical evidence. We follow developments in dry eye research closely — including the TFOS DEWS III guidelines — and apply them to how we practise.

Honest communication We tell patients what we genuinely believe, not what they want to hear. If a treatment isn't right for your presentation, we'll say so. If the evidence for something is limited, we'll tell you that too. Informed patients make better decisions and get better outcomes.

Continuity of care You'll see the same clinician at each visit. We maintain detailed records of your assessment findings, imaging, and treatment progress so that every appointment builds on the last.

No referral required You can book directly with us. We're happy to liaise with your GP, dermatologist, or other healthcare providers where it's relevant to your care — but you don't need anyone to send you to us.

Our History

Openshaw Opticians was established in Cleckheaton in 1947. For over 75 years the practice has served the communities of Kirklees, Calderdale, and the wider West Yorkshire area — growing from a traditional high street opticians into a modern independent practice with specialist clinical capabilities.

The specialist dry eye service — operating as Dry Eye Yorkshire — represents the next chapter in that history. It reflects a deliberate choice to develop genuine specialist expertise in an area where local patients have historically had limited access to advanced care, rather than offering a broad range of services at a generalist level.

We're proud of where we've come from. We're equally focused on where we're going.

Find Us

We're based in Cleckheaton — easily accessible from across Kirklees and Calderdale, and well placed for patients travelling from Huddersfield, Halifax, Bradford, Dewsbury, Batley, Brighouse, and the surrounding areas.

📍 Openshaw Opticians, Unit 4, 16 Cheapside, Cleckheaton, BD19 5AF 📞 01274 878214

Parking is available locally. Please contact us if you need any help with directions or access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a private clinic? Yes. Our specialist dry eye assessments and treatments are provided on a private basis. We'll always be transparent about costs before you commit to anything.

Do you still offer general optometry? Yes — Openshaw Opticians continues to provide NHS and private general optometry services. The specialist dry eye service runs alongside our general practice. You can find out more about general optometry services at openshaw-opticians.co.uk.

Can I see Steve for both my general eye test and my dry eye care? Yes. Many of our dry eye patients are also general optometry patients at the practice. We're happy to combine care where that's convenient for you.

What should I expect at my first appointment? A thorough, unhurried assessment. Allow around 45 to 60 minutes. We'll examine your glands, your tear film, and your eyelid margins, explain what we find, and give you an honest picture of your options — with no obligation to proceed with treatment on the day.