Well-known community optometrist and children’s eye care specialist Keith Holland has died aged 57.
He lost his battle with cancer on March 4, peacefully and surrounded by his family.
‘The optometric community will be a poorer place without Keith’s amazing vision and commitment,’ said a tribute by the British Association of Behavioural Optometrists (BABO).
Holland graduated from City University in 1978 and in 1989 set up his own practice in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire with his optometrist wife Clare, who he met at City. The practice has grown to be one of the most specialised in the country, dealing mainly with children with learning difficulties, and has a satellite clinic in Dubai which Holland personally oversaw.
Keith Holland & Associates has won many Optician Awards over the years, including the 2013 Premium Lens Practice of the Year.
He was also a College examiner and held fellowship qualifications from the American Academy of Optometry, College of Optometrists in vision development and BABO. He also had a diploma in contact lenses.
BABO chairman John Stevenson said: ‘Keith was dedicated to optometry and still had many things he wanted to achieve. He introduced behavioural optometry to the UK almost 30 years ago and in 1991 founded BABO. He has gone on to lecture around the world in this field. One of Keith’s optometric dreams was to see ICBO [International Congress of Behavioural Optometry] be hosted in the UK.
‘He was delighted when his dream became closer to reality and the UK was chosen as the venue for the 7th ICBO. It is tragic that he did not live to see this. However, in September this year when BABO hosts ICBO for the first time Keith Holland will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.’
As well as his wife, he leaves four children and two grandchildren, and should be remembered as being passionate about optometry and helping everyone he saw, Stevenson added. Clare Holland was keen to point out that she wanted to continue the traditions of the practice, saying family was integral in all that he did.
She added that the practice had been inundated with cards, letters and emails of support from patients and professionals, patients from Dubai and abroad and companies with whom the practice has dealing.
'Keith was exceptionally well loved and respected, as he was known to always strive for the best for each person he worked with. The team he built around him share those ideals and are determined to continue to grow the practice and allow it to thrive into to future,' Clare Holland added.
Moneo pays further tribute in this week's edition of Optician.