AN optician is celebrating 30 years of dedicated service in the same Bradford district town.

Graham Bennett, of Bingley’s Kenyon Opticians, is marking his milestone at the practice. Over the last 30 years, Mr Bennett has booked 113,000 appointments and fitted 42,000 pairs of glasses.

He has witnessed huge changes within the industry he loves since he arrived at Kenyon Opticians as a student just out of college in 1992.

He then went from pre-registered Dispensing Optician via employee to partner and now owner, of what is regarded as an optical institution in Bingley.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Graham Bennett has marked 30 years working at Kenyon Opticians Graham Bennett has marked 30 years working at Kenyon Opticians (Image: Kenyon Opticians)

Previous owner, David Kenyon, who in 1974 started eyecare based in Bingley, was all about the clinical service in his 1980s traditional, local family-orientated practice.

Mr Bennett has always focused on high quality clinical care and his pioneering work has included commissioning one the first specialist eye scanning machines, outside of a hospital environment, in the region.

He said: “Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a non-invasive imaging technology that uses reflected light to create 3D images of the back of the eye.

“It can be used to diagnose and manage diseases like diabetes-related retinopathy and glaucoma.

“I’m delighted that we were early pioneers in this valuable medical technology and our latest OCT device matches the specifications of Bradford Royal Infirmary’s equipment, something that is not necessarily the case elsewhere.”

Mr Bennett has been awarded the Clinell NHS Heroes Award for his commitment to community optician service during Covid. He ensured that all his patients and those requiring urgent treatment received valuable eyecare.

The de-regulation of opticians in 1989 allowed opticians to market their services and prompted Graham to embrace the emerging fashion market. His practice transformed the eyewear of Bingley’s NHS-reliant community.

Mr Bennett says that the success of his practice is based on getting to know their clients individually and providing that personal touch.

He added: “All eye examinations are performed by one of our fully qualified and experienced opticians. This is important because at some high street chains, patients will first see a technician, not an optician. We’re proud to remain different.

“One of my very first patients was a four-year-old boy. He had very specific needs and I ended up making him some industrial strength Kevlar specs.

“He is now in his thirties and teaches people how to jump out of planes for the RAF. I still test his eyes along with three generations of his extended family.”

Have you got a story for us? Email newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk or contact us here or WhatsApp us on 07720403052.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with all the latest news.

Sign up to our newsletter to get updates sent straight to your inbox.

You can also call us on 01274 705292.