Meet the Optometrists and Eye Care Team at Airedale Opticians
About Us
Our friendly and highly experienced team believe in building lifelong relationships with customers, getting to know you and your vision needs. Our staff have over 100 years combined optical experience in providing your eyecare.
Mohammed Hafejee - Senior IP Optometrist
B/Optom (hons), MC Optom, Prof Cert Glaucoma, Prof Cert Medical Retina,
Dip Independent Prescribing
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Qualified 1999
- Dispensing Optician – F.B.D.O
- Contact Lens Optician
- Optometry – MC Optom, B Optom (Hons)
- WOPEC – MECS Accredited
- Certificate in Glaucoma – Prof Cert Glaucoma
- Certificate in Medical Retina – Prof Cert Medical Retina
- Independent Prescribing Optometrists – Dip IP
OWNER & CLINICAL LEAD
Mo is the owner and clinical lead of Airedale Opticians, overseeing the independent practice’s clinics in Keighley and Cross Hills. He combines clinical expertise with a personal approach to patient care, with particular interests in dry eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and the management of complex eye conditions.
A qualified Independent Prescribing Optometrist, Mo holds professional certificates in Glaucoma and Medical Retina. His prescribing qualification allows him to provide medical treatment for a range of eye conditions within his scope of practice, helping patients access care closer to home.
Mo has helped develop Airedale’s specialist services, including its dry eye clinic, myopia management for children and specialist contact lens fitting. His work includes supporting patients with specialist contact lenses for irregular corneas and contact lens difficulties, alongside those seeking relief from persistent dry eye symptoms.
He has a longstanding interest in using advanced imaging to better understand and monitor eye health. Under his clinical leadership, Airedale Opticians have introduced technology including OCT, ultra-widefield retinal imaging and detailed assessment of the cornea and tear film to support individual treatment plans.
Mo also has a particular interest in macular degeneration, with involvement in research relating to wet AMD and geographic atrophy. He has developed Airedale’s dedicated photobiomodulation clinic, extending the practice’s services for patients with dry AMD.
Alongside his clinical work, Mo supports the development of the Airedale team. His approach centres on thorough assessments, clear explanations and giving patients the time and information they need to make informed decisions about their eyes.
My areas of speciality include:
- Personalised Lenses
- Eye nutrition and eye health
- Macula Degeneration diagnosis and management
- Myopia Control in children
- Glaucoma monitoring
- Dry eye, MGD & Blepharitis and its management
- Low vision and its management with Magnifires and Digital Technology
- All types of contact lens fitting
- Childrens eyecare – Including Amblyopia Management (Lazy Eye)
Sarah Jackson B/Optom(hons), MC Optom, Prof Cert Medical Retina
Senior Optometrist
Qualified 2002
QUALIFICATIONS
Optometry – MC Optom, B Optom (Hons)
WOPEC – MECS Accredited
Certificate in Medical Retina – Prof Cert Medical Retina
Senior Optometrist Sarah Jackson qualified as an Optometrist in 2002 from Anglia University in Cambridge. Sarah has worked in a number of Glaucoma, Cataract referral and Diabetic monitoring schemes in conjunction with the local hospitals.
Sarah is able to provide MECS (Minor Eye Conditions Service) appointments. The Minor Eye Conditions Service provides assessment and treatment for people with recently occurring minor eye problems. It is a NHS service provided by accredited optometrists.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys walking, gardening reading biographies and gourmet cooking!
Sarah’s areas of speciality include:
- Glaucoma
- Cataract diagnosis and management
- Wet & Dry ARMD diagnosis and management
- Contact lens fitting
- Dry Eye Management
- Diabetic Eye Screening
- Eye Nutrition and Eye Health
- Dry Eye, MGD and Blepharitis Management
Aaisha Khizar B/Optom(hons), MC Optom, Prof Cert Glaucoma, Prof Cert Medical Retina
Senior Optometrist
QUALIFICATIONS
Optometry – MC Optom, B Optom (Hons)
WOPEC – MECS Accredited
Certificate in Medical Retina – Prof Cert Medical Retina
Certificate in Glaucoma – Prof Cert Glaucoma
Aaisha qualified as an Optometrist from the University of Bradford in 2019, having completed her pre-registration training with Airedale Opticians. Since qualifying, she has gained valuable experience working across a number of leading high-street optical practices before returning to Airedale Opticians.
Aaisha has a strong interest in clinical eye care and has continued to develop her expertise through postgraduate qualifications. She holds the Professional Certificate in Glaucoma and the Professional Certificate in Medical Retina and is MECS accredited, enabling her to assess and manage a wide range of eye conditions.
Her combination of clinical experience, advanced training and familiarity with Airedale Opticians makes her a valuable part of our clinical team.
Aisha’s areas of speciality include:
- Dry Eye and its management
- Cataract diagnosis and management
- Wet & Dry ARMD diagnosis and management
- Contact lens fitting
- Eye Nutrition and Eye Health
- Blepharitis Management
Your Practice Team
We are assisted by our practice team – you will see them in a wide range of tasks – from booking your appointment to completing your paperwork and performing the Pre-examination tests before your appointment. then helping you to choose your glasses and recommending lenses afterwards.
Gill and Antonio are our Qualified Dispensing Opticians – they have a three year study qualification and are able to carry out additional roles and functions, including the dispensing or supervision of dispensing of children and people with visual impairment, as well as offering specialist services and advice to patients.
Angie - Manager
20+ years Practice Experience
Angie is our senior optical consultant and Manager with over twenty years of experience at the practice.
Angie has experience in all aspects of the practice, from booking a suitable appointment, to pre-screen, dispensing glasses, fitting of spectacles to contact lens queries and more.
Angie mostly enjoys helping our clients choose their glasses and is always happy to give honest advice on whether or not frames suit. Angie has loyal customer base who trust her with their frame styling at each visit!
Angie also works in our in-practice optical lab, cutting and fitting lenses, giving her a detailed knowledge of lens designs and she can advise on which lenses will work best in particular frames. In her spare time she enjoys reading thriller novels and watching films.
Gill Thorp F.B.D.O - Senior Dispensing Optician
Gill has been with Airedale Opticians since 2011, and is one of our resident Dispensing Opticians. With over 12 years in optics, she is great at helping patients find their perfect frame style and discussing the best lens options to fit their needs.
Gill is the current Dispensing Optician of the year (2023). The expert panel praised her for excelling in providing services that aren’t always readily available in the High Street. Gill is a Dispensing Optician who does all the things expected of them and is changing patients’ lives for the better. She continues to develop her skills and is an example to other professionals.
During 2020, Gill completed a child psychology diploma, giving her a better insight and tools to discuss eyecare with children.
Gill has also recently undertaken further training in Low Vision to enable her to help patients who are sight impaired. She is now running Low Vision Assessments to help patients with all levels of sight impairment maintain their independence.
In her spare time Gill enjoys, reading, running, walking her dog and spending time with her children.
Antonio Capozio F.B.D.O - Senior Dispensing Optician
Antonio is a qualified Dispensing Optician, with over 20 years experience in Optics.
In that time Antonio has seen almost everything to do with frames, lenses, contact lenses, solutions and more! With his expert knowledge of all the options and ability to find that perfectly fitted frame – you are in safe hands!
Sheridan - Optical Consultant
Tayyib - Optometrist
Tayyib is a new Optometrist, having recently graduated from Manchester University in 2021.
You may see Tayyib at your appointments for Eye Examinations or Contact Lens Visits.