Therapeutics London 2017

A consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital and National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, University College London Hospitals, since 1999, James has extensive experience in the evaluation of children and adults with visual problems arising from neurological disorders.

He is additionally educational supervisor for Ophthalmic Speciality Trainees, examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, lecturer for the UCL MSc course on Clinical Ophthalmology.

James's current research interests include the use of diagnostic tools in the evaluation of suspected optic disc swelling and the use of web-based interactive teaching tools in neuro-ophthalmology.

Philip is a practicing CLO and Business Development Manager for Positive Impact.

He has developed a keen interest in dry eye and its management and regularly delivers CET workshops in Punctal Occlusion.

He has managed the general running of a small independent 6 practice optical group, along with coaching the branch teams for greater performance in all aspects of their optical business. He worked with a leading UK optical chain as a regional manager and in 2010 completed a Nottingham University Business School Regional Managers Development Programme. 

In 2007 he became a licensed trainer for Krauthammer; a globally renowned coaching, consulting and training company.

Professor Simon Barnard runs a private practice in north London. He graduated from City University in 1976, and completed his training at Moorfields Eye Hospital, and went on to Lecture at City University, London from 1979 –2004

As Director of Ocular Medicine, Institute of Optometry, London, Simon developed the first UK government accredited therapeutic course and became an Independent Therapeutic Prescriber himself in 2011. He is a Fellow of the College of Optometrists, American Academy of Optometry and European Academy of Optometry & Optics.

Simon Barnard has also published over 50 papers and a book, has presented 150 lectures internationally and been an expert witness in over 50 medico-legal cases.

Following postgraduate training in general medicine, Dr Erika Damato embarked on a specialised residency in Medical Ophthalmology, combining internal medicine and ophthalmology, for five years, at Bristol Eye Hospital.

Between 2014 and 2017 Erika worked as a medical ophthalmology consultant at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, specialising in uveitis, Behçet's disease and medical retina; often managing patients with complex multi-system disease and ocular manifestations. Dr Damato has recently started working at Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where she leads the Medical Ophthalmology service.

Professor Harminder Dua is the chair and professor of ophthalmology at University of Nottingham and is the head of the Division of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences.

He is also the co-editor in chief with Arun Singh, of the British Journal of Ophthalmology. 

Professor Dua is also president of the EVERf (European Association for Vision and Eye Research Foundation), with over 200 research publications and 14 book chapters to his credit.

Professor Purslow is a qualified optometrist with a Phd from Aston University, and regularly presents on dry eye, tear film, and contact lenses. She is a member of the College of Optometrists, and a Fellow of IACLE and BCLA, and a recipient of the Irving Fatt Memorial Award for her research. 

Chris was a senior lecturer and researcher at Cardiff University and also Director of Postgraduate Taught Courses within WOPEC. Her most recent academic role was Head of Optometry at Plymouth University. In 2013, she was appointed as Head of Medical Affairs for Thea Pharmaceuticals, based at Keele University.

Kate Gifford is a clinical optometrist, peer educator and clinical researcher in Brisbane, Australia, with special interests in contact lenses, binocular vision and myopia control. Graduating from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2003 with First Class Honours and a University Medal, Kate is undertaking a part-time PhD by clinical research. 

She is a fellow of the BCLA, IACLE, CCLSA (Australia) and AAO and is the Immediate Past President of Optometry Australia. Kate is an award-winning clinical supervisor and visiting lecturer at QUT, holds 38 peer reviewed and professional publications, and has presented over 70 lectures at conferences in Australia and internationally.

Paul graduated in optometry from City University, London, England in 1994, and worked in UK private practice with contact lens specialty before moving to Sydney, Australia where he completed a PhD at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in 2009. 

Paul holds three professional fellowships; has received nine research awards including two from the British Contact Lens Association and holds 37 peer reviewed and professional publications. Paul now holds an adjunct academic position at UNSW, and works in contact lens R&D along with practice based research.

Declan Hovenden is Head Clinical Optometrist & Clinical Manager at the National Optometry Centre, Dublin Institute of Technology, the clinical training facility for optometrists studying at the Dublin Institute of Technology.

He has a background in refractive surgery practice which engendered an interest and gave him significant experience in the management of dry eye. He regularly delivers CPD training to practising optometrists.

Hayley was previously the resident optometrist in the Cardiff University Eye Clinic where hundreds of undergraduate students benefited from her expertise and encouragement, and she helped to develop the evidential support, training and assessment methods for the widely acclaimed Welsh Low Vision Service. 

Her specialist clinical skills were developed working alongside ophthalmologists at Bristol Eye Hospital. She has a College diploma in contact lenses and glaucoma, and is an Independent Prescriber, and works in community as principal optometrist at Johnson & Furze Optometrists.

Dr Johnson is an independent prescribing optometrist who trained at Moorfields and Bristol Eye Hospital, and was awarded a PhD by the University of Wales. 

He has taught undergraduate and postgraduate students at university, acted as a consultant in the design and analysis of clinical trials for the pharmaceutical industry, and worked in Eye Casualty and out‐patient medical clinics in hospitals. He now focuses on helping patients in private practice.

Phil Murray is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Institute of Inflammation and Ageing University of Birmingham, and Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre (BMEC), Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust. 

He has a special interest in uveitis running two dedicated regional/supra-regional clinics per week and is part of the Birmingham National Centre of Excellence for Behçet’s Syndrome. He enjoys the challenging and frustrating nature of uveitis but also finds it immensely rewarding. 

Mr Sameer Trikha is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at King’s College NHS Foundation Trust, specialising in the medical and surgical treatment of Glaucoma. 

He completed his post graduate training in the Wessex region, before conducting an International research/clinical fellowship at the prestigious Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC) and followed this up with a clinical fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.