30 May 2025
Hakim Group hosted a day of dry eye education for its independent practice partners earlier this month (Sunday 18 May).
The dry eye event, held at John Smith Stadium in Huddersfield, featured hands-on training, product demonstrations, and peer and expert-led discussion around the subject of dry eye.
The aim was to demystify the process of setting up and running a successful dry eye clinic, Hakim Group said.
The day was led and organised by Eloise Walsh, buyer at Hakim Group.
Walsh said: “We wanted to bring this day together to support our clinicians and practice partners in understanding what it really takes to set up a dry eye clinic.
“It doesn’t have to mean jumping straight into the deep end with an IPL or low-level light therapy machine — there’s something here for everyone, no matter their starting point.”
Walsh hoped Hakim Group practice partners would consider questions around what a dry eye clinic involves, what should be included in a dry eye assessment, and what treatment options their patients would benefit from, she said.
The event was also attended by the organisation’s dry eye category partners, The Body Doctor, Positive Impact, Scope, Bondeye and Birmingham Optical.
Walsh noted that dry eye services are “vital for the [Hakim] Group, and for independent optometry across the UK.”
“We’re providing a level of service for patients that simply isn’t available everywhere,” she said.
“People living with a chronic condition like dry eye deserve meaningful care — and it’s up to us to make sure they get it. If we don’t offer it, who will?”
Senior optometrist and partner at Hakim Group’s Simon Falk Opticians, Leah Khan, outlined the clinical and commercial opportunities of dry eye services and the role of education in elevating care standards in her presentation during the day.
“Education is one of our core foundations — it’s what keeps us moving forward,” she said.
“We can come up with all kinds of great ideas and initiatives, but without taking the time to organise days like this — bringing together our clinicians and front-of-house teams to learn, explore new approaches, and upskill — those ideas would never come to life.
Khan added: “Ultimately, it's all about making sure our people stay at the leading edge of their profession.”
Lead image: Leah Khan speaking at the Hakim Group dry eye event
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