FACE AND EYE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Clinical Supervisor, Training
- Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Neuro - Ophthalmologist
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Mr Yagan has been a consultant in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital since 2015, performing complex squint assessments and operations, as well as botulinum toxin injections.
Mr Yagan is also a clinical supervisor, training doctors in neuro-ophthalmology, squint and cataract operations. Mr Yagan has authored several papers, posters and presentations both nationally and internationally on general ophthalmology, neuro-ophthalmology and ocular motility.
Mr Yagan is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (RCOphth), North of England Ophthalmology Society (NEOS) and a member of the UK neuro-ophthalmology society (UKNOS).
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Corneal & Cataract Surgeon
Ankur Barua qualified from Manchester Medical School, intercalating in Physiology and Pharmacology and undertaking a double honours ophthalmology clerkship in Harvard Medical School.
During his Foundation Training in South Manchester, he passed written exams in MRCS, MRCP and FRCOphth, after which he pursued his interest in ophthalmology with a 7-year specialist training in the North West Deanery.
During his training he completed an MA in Law (Medical Law & Ethics). His interest in the front of the eye (the anterior segment) led to 2 periods of sub-specialist training in both Cornea and Glaucoma. He undertook an advanced sub-specialist training fellowship in Cornea and Refractive Surgery at the Corneoplastics Unit of Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead.
Following a locum cornea-glaucoma consultant post at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, he moved to the Midlands to take over the corneal service as a substantive lead consultant in Coventry. Working across two sites, University Hospitals of Coventry & Warwickshire and St Cross Rugby, he carried out complex anterior segment surgery including corneal grafting, keratoconus treatment and complex cataract surgery.
During his time at Coventry, he had taken on the roles of undergraduate tutor at Warwick Medical School and honorary consultant at Birmingham Children's Hospital. He was the lead consultant in developing and introducing the keratoconus pathway and lubricant protocol into Coventry and Warwickshire. He was nominated for Compassion in Care segment of the Outstanding Service and Care Awards at UHCW in 2017 and 2018. He was also voted Trainer of the Year 2017 within the Deanery.
In 2019, an opportunity arose to move to the regional centre as a substantive corneal consultant at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre, which is where he is now based. Since moving to the new post, he was the first corneal consultant in the region to offer DMEK surgery (a form of corneal transplant) and he has run a national training course for this. He has been an examiner in the BMEC Oculus Course and helped initiate multi-disciplinary clinics for complex cases.
He is also a published author of multiple peer-reviewed publications including a book chapter on paediatric keratoconus. He has run an instructional course at the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, and he is heavily involved in teaching medical students, ophthalmology trainees and optometrists.
He is dedicated to patient care. He is also involved in charity work in developing countries such as Cambodia.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon ( Retired from Clinical Practice - Now Solely Engaged in Medicolegal Work As an Expert Witness )
- Consultant Ophthalmologist & Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon
Mr Leatherbarrow was appointed as Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic and Orbital surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in July 1992 and, having developed a service and an oculoplastic and orbital surgery training fellowship with a national and international reputation, remained in post until he resigned from his NHS position in 2014. He was in private practice in Manchester until April 2023. He now undertakes medicolegal work only. His clinical practice has been taken over by his colleague Mr Paul Cannon at the Face & Eye Clinic.
Mr Leatherbarrow has a busy medicolegal practice, undertaking 50-100 specialist medical reports for solicitors each year. He was awarded the Cardiff University Law School Bond Solon Civil Expert Certificate in May 2015. His medicolegal website is: www.medicolegalophthalmology.co.uk
He graduated from Manchester Medical School in 1982, training in general ophthalmology at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital before undertaking subspecialty training fellowships in oculoplastic and orbital surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, and the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA, where he also trained with plastic surgeons, maxillofacial surgeons, dermatological surgeons and neurosurgeons.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract & Glaucoma Surgeon
Dr Kailash Bhatia is an Honorary Lecturer at The University of Manchester and has worked as a Consultant in Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine at Saint Mary's Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester since 2012.
He completed his medical education and anaesthesiology training in Mumbai, India and obtained his FRCA in 2008. He is the research lead at Manchester Royal Infirmary and has contributed to numerous publications on rare neurological complications following obstetric neuraxial blockade, COVID-19 in pregnancy and heart disease in pregnancy.
He is a council member of the UK Maternal Cardiology Society. He is a reviewer for International Journal of Obstetric Anaesthesia.
Job Titles:
- Specialist Nurse Practitioner & CQC Registered Manager
Job Titles:
- Specialist Ophthalmic Theatre Nurse
Job Titles:
- Senior Outpatient Co - Ordinator
Job Titles:
- Oculoplastic Specialist Nurse Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Clinic Administration Manager
Job Titles:
- Clinical Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Operating Theatre Administration Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon
Miss Priya Bhatt is a British trained fully accredited Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic surgeon.
Miss Bhatt qualified in medicine with honours from Manchester University and undertook her higher surgical training in Ophthalmology at both the Tennent Institute of Ophthalmology in Glasgow and in the Northwest of England, completing advanced subspecialty training and a fellowship in Oculoplastics at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. She was awarded the Certificate of Specialist training and entry onto the Ophthalmology Specialist register in July 2008 and has been a Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon at the Royal Bolton Hospital since August 2008.
She was Revalidation Lead at Royal College of Ophthalmologists, sitting on the Professional Standards Committee from 2015-2017 and was Clinical Lead for Appraisal & Revalidation at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust from 2013-2022 ensuring doctors had high standards of clinical practice and were fit to practice. She is Clinical Lead for Oculoplastic services at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
She has been responsible for training junior surgeons in oculoplastic and cataract surgery for the last 14 years at the Royal Bolton Hospital.
She has published numerous papers in peer reviewed journals and presented at both national and international scientific meetings including the Royal College of Ophthalmology Annual Congress, the North of England Ophthalmological Society, the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society annual meeting and the European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic & Reconstructive Society annual meeting, all of which she is a member of.
Miss Bhatt specialises in the medical management of patients with periocular skin conditions, tear film dysfunction, blepharoconjunctivitis, epiphora, thyroid eye disease and non-surgical rejuvenation with botulinum toxin and dermal filler injections. Surgically, Miss Bhatt specialises in cataract surgery, lacrimal drainage issues (watery eyes), surgery for chalazion, surgical removal of eyelid and facial skin tags, lumps and cysts, management of eyelid malposition (entropion, ectropion), ptosis surgery (drooping eyelid), cosmetic eyelid surgery including blepharoplasty and brow lift, management of periocular skin cancer, eyelid reconstruction surgery including reconstruction following Mohs micrographic surgery and eyelid/ eye socket reconstruction. Her priority is to provide personalised, well-informed care for her patients, focusing on pleasing, natural aesthetic outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon
- Specialist Interests
Qistina Pilson is a Consultant Oculoplastic and Ophthalmic Surgeon at Stockport Foundation Trust. She specialises in oculoplastic surgery, medical retina and general ophthalmology.
Miss Pilson graduated from University College Dublin before undertaking formal ophthalmic training throughout Ireland. She has completed 2 fellowships at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, one of the largest teaching eye hospitals in Europe, in oculoplastic and orbital surgery as well as in medical retina. She undertook a lab and clinical based post graduate research project on autoimmune related ocular surface disease. As a result, her particular areas of interests include managing eyelid disorders (including eyelid malpositions, eyelid lesions and tumours with periocular reconstructive surgery), aesthetic periocular conditions (eyelid hooding, droopy brows), watery eyes, dry eyes, thyroid eye disease, cataract and retinal conditions (macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions). She also specialises in non-surgical aesthetic treatments including anti-wrinkle injections, dermal filler injections and platelet rich plasma injections (PRP).
Her successes include obtaining a post graduate Medical Doctorate degree from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and winning the Barbara Knox award from the Irish College of Ophthalmologist. She is a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the European Board of Ophthalmology. She is also a member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS).
She has an active role in training medical students, ophthalmology trainees and other healthcare professionals. She has published in international peer-reviewed journals and has presented scientific papers in European and American conferences.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Vitreo - Retinal Surgeon
- Specialist Interests
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract & Glaucoma Surgeon
- President of the Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association
- Specialist Interests
Chris Hemmerdinger is a Consultant Ophthalmologist at East Cheshire NHS trust, where he leads the glaucoma and cataract services.
Chris Hemmerdinger is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon with a special interest in glaucoma based at the East Cheshire NHS Trust.
Chris graduated from UMIST with a degree in Optometry in 1994 and then from Manchester University with a degree in Medicine in 2001. After brief spells in Neurosurgery and Emergency Medicine, he undertook his specialist training in Ophthalmology at St Pauls Eye Unit in Liverpool.
Chris was appointed as Consultant Ophthalmologist at Warrington and Halton NHS Foundation Trust in 2011. He became Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology and Oral Surgery in 2014. In 2016 Chris took up a position of Consultant Ophthalmologist at East Cheshire NHS trust, where he now leads the glaucoma and cataract services.
Chris is the current president of the Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association (MCLOSA). He is past chairman of the Northern Optometric Society and is a member of the United Kingdom and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS).
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract & Glaucoma Surgeon
Jonathan Yu is a full-time Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in glaucoma and cataract surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He graduated with a medical degree from the University of Cambridge in 2010 and subsequently undertook higher specialty training in Ophthalmology in the West Midlands and North West region. He has undertaken two further years of sub-specialist fellowship training in Glaucoma surgery at both Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
He has expertise in managing all types of glaucoma and anterior segment problems including complex cataract and all aspects of general ophthalmology. He helps run a specialist glaucoma service for the North West and beyond. His special areas of interest include:
The surgical management of glaucoma including trabeculectomy, aqueous shunt devices, micro-invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) and glaucoma laser procedures.
Micro-incision cataract surgery in addition to combined cataract and glaucoma stent surgery.
In his daily clinical practice, Jonathan is heavily involved with the teaching and training of junior doctors, fellows, optometrists, specialist nurses and medical students. He undertakes clinical sessions in the Emergency Eye Centre at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital where he oversees the ophthalmic team treating a wide variety of acute and emergency eye pathology.
He is passionate about education and preventing blindness, and is involved with a global initiative to educate junior ophthalmologists (GERSO), where he chairs webinars to help educate the next generation of eye specialists. In addition, he has been on out-reach cataract programs to other countries (e.g. Cambodia) to help treat patients and train fellow ophthalmologists.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon
- Member of the UK
Khalid Ikram graduated in medicine from Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, at the University of London in 1991. He then trained extensively in ophthalmic surgery in Southampton, Oxford and Manchester. At Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Khalid undertook an advanced specialist training period (fellowship) in corneal and refractive procedures. This involved, uniquely for a UK fellowship, both laser vision correction (excimer laser) and specialized intraocular surgery.
Khalid commenced his NHS consultant post in 2002 at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport.
In his NHS post, Khalid has extensive responsibilities in the teaching and training of junior ophthalmic surgeons and is the Royal College of Ophthalmologists tutor for ophthalmology at Stepping Hill Hospital, where he is also lead consultant for ophthalmic surgery. As college tutor, Khalid also sits on the regional specialist training committees, selecting individuals for advanced ophthalmic surgical training in the North-West, and also monitoring and assessing and appraising their progress.
Khalid also has a particular interest in improving the standards of assessment and planning for cataract and refractive lens surgery, and has run teaching conferences in biometry at both a national and international level.
Having extensive experience in general ophthalmic care and specialising in small incision cataract surgery, Khalid has further developed a considerable expertise in the refractive aspects of such surgery. He is experienced in a large variety of refractive surgery techniques for the management of conditions such as myopia (short-sightedness), hyperopia (long-sightedness) and presbyopia (age related reduction in the eye's ability to focus on near targets).
Khalid Ikram is a member of the UK and European Societies of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and also a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Corneal, Cataract & Glaucoma Surgeon
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon
Mr Muel-Gonzalez specialised in ophthalmic surgery in Spain before he moved to Dublin, where he completed advanced training in oculoplastic surgery and neurophthalmology.
He holds a substantive NHS Consultant position at Mid Cheshire Hospitals Foundation Trust. Here he is the Lead for the Ophthalmic Emergency Department and for Theatre Efficiency, leading a very busy cataract theatre service every week. Mr Muel-Gonzalez performs 1000+ cataract and lens surgeries per year. His areas of interest include cataract surgery under topical anaesthesia, oculoplastic surgery, management of the watery eye and medical and laser treatment of glaucoma. He has extensive experience in general ophthalmology and emergency care. Mr Muel-Gonzalez is member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) and the British Eye Emergency Case Society (BEECS) among other organizations.
He also actively collaborates with a charity organisation, regularly traveling to the African Sahara to treat patients from refugee camps by operating on complex cataracts and oculoplastic surgery cases.
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Vitreoretinal, Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon
Mr Piergiacomo Grassi is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Vitreoretinal, Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery based at the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester
Mr Grassi is a Senior Lecturer for the University of Manchester. He is the current consultant vitreoretinal service lead and lead for the undergraduate medical education, for clinical clerkships and tutor for international visiting consultants/doctors in the Ophthalmology Department, Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust, Greater Manchester, UK. He is actively involved in research, is an e-portfolio assessor for ophthalmology trainees/ST4-ST7 and delivers teaching to registrars and medical students.
Job Titles:
- Founder
- Consultant at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon
- Director of the Manchester Oculoplastic
Saj Ataullah was appointed as an NHS Consultant at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (MREH), one of the largest teaching eye hospitals in Europe. Saj specialises in Oculoplastic Surgery (also known as Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery or Oculofacial Surgery) which focuses on problems relating to the eyelids, eyebrows, tear ducts & orbit (eye socket).
Saj graduated from Charing Cross & Westminster Medical School, University of London in 1991
He trained for 7-years in Ophthalmology (in London & Manchester)
Saj is a founder member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS)
Saj is the Director of the Manchester Oculoplastic, Lacrimal & Orbital Dissection Course which attracts oculoplastic surgeons from around the world.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Ophthalmic & Oculoplastic Surgeon
- Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
- Specialist Interests
Paul Cannon is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital who manages a wide range of ophthalmic conditions including cataracts and glaucoma. His specialist interests are oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery.
He graduated from University College Galway, Ireland, in 1998, before completing his internal medicine training in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin and obtained membership to the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. His specialist ophthalmic training was at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He has completed oculoplastic fellowships in two of the most internationally renowned centres of excellence: the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia (2009) and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (2010).
lHe is a member of the British Oculoplastic Surgical Society (BOPSS), the European Society of Ophthalmic & Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS), and the North of England Ophthalmological Society. He has published papers on numerous oculoplastic topics.
Job Titles:
- Operating Department Practitioner
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract & Vitreoretinal Surgeon
Niall Patton is a Consultant Ophthalmic, Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He is also Director of the Manchester Vitreoretinal Fellowship Program for Ophthalmologists from around the world who visit Manchester Royal Eye Hospital to gain high level surgical and clinical expertise in the management of retinal disorders. He graduated in Medicine from the University of Manchester in 1996. He completed his ophthalmic surgical training at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh. He also undertook 4 years of specialist vitreoretinal surgical fellowship training at the Lions Eye Institute, Western Australia, the Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion, Edinburgh, the Tennant Eye Institute, Glasgow and at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London. He was appointed as a Consultant at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in 2008. He continually audits his own practice to maintain the highest standards of medical and surgical care.
His surgical expertise encompasses all aspects of vitreoretinal surgery, and he is at the forefront of the latest micro-incisional vitreoretinal techniques such as 27G Pars Plana Vitrectomy. In addition, he combines micro-incisional cataract surgery as a routine where necessary in conjunction with vitreoretinal surgery. He has particular expertise in macular hole surgery, retinal detachment surgery, epiretinal membrane surgery, diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration and the treatment of floaters.
In addition to his clinical expertise, he has completed ophthalmic research in a variety of different ophthalmic fields and has been successful in procuring research grants from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. His research culminated in the award of a Doctorate from the University of Manchester in 2006. He has spoken at national and international ophthalmology meetings, including the United States, Australia, and Europe. In addition to 65 peer-reviewed publications in ophthalmic journals, he has also co-authored a chapter of a textbook and has served as a reviewer for major international ophthalmology journals, including Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Ophthalmology, Archives of Ophthalmology & Journal of Applied Physiology. He has also served as a grant reviewer for the Wellcome Trust.
His areas of expertise are:
Vitreoretinal Surgery
Retinal Detachment Surgery
Macular Hole Surgery
Epiretinal Membrane Surgery
Cataract Surgery
Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Diabetic Eye Disease
Floaters