What was your inspiration for pursuing ophthalmology as a career?
The eye, the way we see and why we see has fascinated me for the last 30 years, and I can’t foresee a time when it won’t. My journey in eye care started when I attended an open day at the School of Optometry at Cardiff University with a friend who was keen to study optometry. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. The day was fascinating! I joined the optometry undergraduate programme and haven’t looked back.
Afterwards, I had become frustrated with being an optometrist. At the time, I found that our roles were somewhat limited, unlike today. I couldn’t carry out the research I wanted to and was lacking the knowledge that I wanted. I decided to go back to university and study medicine. It was inevitable that I would train as an ophthalmologist, but I continued working as an optometrist through my medical degree and remained engaged with my old research group at Cardiff University. My current role as medical retina and uveitis consultant, along with a clinical academic role in the School of Vision Science helps keep that fascination alive.
Tell us about your role as Llywydd for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
The Llywydd (lead for the College in Wales) is relatively new but continuously evolving role that came about in recognition of the fact that eye care delivery in Wales is substantially different to the rest of the UK, due to the devolution of healthcare. The Welsh government, rather than Westminster, is responsible. Consequently, the structure and service delivery across Wales looks very different in comparison to England.
The role came into existence in 2020, with David Laws being the first elected Llywydd. Tragically, he died suddenly within the first weeks of the role. Following an election, Gwyn Williams took it on, and I followed in September 2023 after his term ended.
As well as sitting on the College Council, I’m also part of the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges Wales, adding to the voice of ophthalmology on important issues, including recent responses to the harassment of surgical trainees.
The role is evolving from its previous remit to become a dual role. I am also the national clinical lead for ophthalmology, funded by the NHS Wales Executive, and have clinical responsibility for the strategic plan for ophthalmology services in Wales. I work closely with other medical speciality leads to standardise care and pathways and have a close working relationship with Welsh government partners and third sector partners including the Wales Council of the Blind as well as the multi-disciplinary team delivering the whole eye care pathway.
Tell us (in your own words) why you feel it’s important to become a member of the College.
The College is integral to us as a profession, to have a voice in the melee that is healthcare in the UK. Without the College bringing gravitas and authority to the profession, our position would be lost to those who lobby with practised ease. While we are a relatively small college, our market share of clinical load is huge.
The College allows us to be different. It gives us the freedom to build our own training programmes and our own qualifications. By doing so, we can ensure rigorously high standards. But the College is more than just a vehicle for qualification or representation. It drives standardisation and governance of pathways, procedures and services. It’s a community where we as members can come together to influence the College’s work, share our experiences and influence change, giving us a reference point to support our practice and move forward together.