The QVH eye unit (corneoplastics and ophthalmology) and eye bank is a specialist and tertiary referral centre for complex corneal problems and oculoplastics. It is a high-profile and technologically advanced department that delivers high quality care in its sub-specialties and sets standards for care in the UK and internationally.
We provide:
Cataract surgery: we perform modern small incision cataract surgery with availability for advanced toric correction of astigmatism with value-added toric lenses. The unit takes referrals for expert opinion from all over the UK for complex cataract surgery and anterior segment reconstruction.
Glaucoma services: including Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS), SLT laser, trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage devices.
Our specialist cornea services include: high risk corneal transplantation; stem cell transplantation for ocular surface rehabilitation; innovative partial thickness transplants (lamellar grafts); and vision correction surgery.
The team also offer specialist techniques in oculoplastic surgery including Mohs micrographic excision for eyelid tumour management; facial palsy rehabilitation; endoscopic DCR and modern orbital decompression techniques for thyroid eye disease.
We also welcome referrals for refractive problems; ocuplastic, orbital and lacrimal disorders but do not provide retinal services.
Dry eye service
QVH has also developed a dry eye service for local people. Our specialist nurse led clinic is for people with severe dry eye conditions including Sjorgrens syndrome and Blepharitis. Referrals are welcomed from GPs or eye specialists for this service which is based here in East Grinstead.
Clinical effectiveness
Departmental audit shows that cases of post-operative eye infection after cataract surgery are extremely rare and well below national average rates. We also perform cataract surgery on a large cohort of patients with complex anterior segment conditions as part of our specialist surgery service which is not comparable to other units.
Pre-assessment call for Cataract patients
From Monday 16 September 2024, patients who are coming to QVH for potential Cataract surgery will receive their pre-operation screening using Dora, an automated computer system. Dora will contact you by telephone and run through a series of questions to get information about your general health, fitness and suitability for surgery which our clinical team will review prior to your face to face appointment.
You can speak to Dora like a person and QVH is one of a number of hospitals trialling patient assessments using it. By completing your health screening in this way, it means our clinical team have the information they need in advance to make the best use of your face to face appointment with them.
What is glaucoma and how common is it? Watch our short film
Please note we do not offer a walk-in emergency service. If you feel that you need to speak to one of the team please contact us via the number in your appointment or discharge letter.
Page last updated: 14 May 2025.
Mr Mohamed Elalfy
Consultant Ophthalmologist
Mr Mohamed Elalfy is a double-qualified consultant ophthalmologist who specialises in cataracts, cataract surgery, intraocular lens surgery, refractive laser eye surgery, ocular surface diseases, corneal diseases and grafts and dry eye.
Mr Elalfy is a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London, the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow, the European Board of Ophthalmology, and the International Council of Ophthalmology. He is a member of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and The European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons and EUCornea.
Mr Elalfy joined Queen Victoria Hospital in 2015 and has been a consultant since 2017. As the fellowship programme director at Queen Victoria Hospital, he trains several fellows annually.
He is also an ophthalmology examiner in two royal colleges and supervises undergraduate doctors at the University of Brighton independent research projects programme in the undergraduate medical school, where he supervises the projects of medical students. Mr Elalfy supervises masters and doctoral degree students in ophthalmology.
Mr Elalfy holds multiple vocational diplomas and has been published in more than 50 peer-reviewed publications.
Mr Andre Litwin
Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon
Specialist interests: Eyelid, lacrimal and orbital disease. Teaching, training and assessment of surgical skill; including cataract surgery.
Mr Andre Litwin is a full-time Consultant Ophthalmic and Oculoplastic Surgeon at QVH. With over 20 years of experience in ophthalmology he specialises in the management of eyelid, lacrimal and orbital disorders. He has lectured at national conferences covering his research interests and has multiple peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.
Mr Litwin graduated from the University of Southampton and trained in ophthalmology in the UK. He started his surgical training in the South Thames region before completing higher training at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge. He undertook two Fellowships in oculoplastic and orbital disease before joining the consultant staff at QVH in 2014.
He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a full Member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society (BOPSS) and European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ESOPRS). . Valued for his straightforward explanations, gentle manner and professionalism, he ensures every person receives individualised care.
Mr Raman Malhotra
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Specialist interest: Ophthalmology
Mr Raman Malhotra – Consultant ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic Surgeon, Corneo Plastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Trust, East Grinstead
Sub-specialties:
Orbitofacial surgery
Lacrimal disorders
Oculoplastic surgery
Eyelid skin cancer
Special clinical interests:
Eyelid disorders
Orbital disease
Lacrimal (water eye) surgery
Cataract surgery
Research interests:
Reconstructive surgery in the orbitofacial region
Eyelid skin cancer
Thyroid eye disease and modern techniques of orbital decompression
Lacrimal disorders and endoscopic DCR techniques
Facial palsy
Year of first medical qualification: 1993
Current membership(s) of professional, national and regional bodies:
European Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ESOPRS)
Founder member British Oculoplastic Surgeons Society (BOPSS)
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
American Academy of Ophthalmology
American Society of Ophthalmic Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASOPRS)
Professional profile
Having finished his basic surgical ophthalmic training at the Western Eye Hospital, London, Mr Raman Malhotra went on to complete his higher surgical training experience in Oxford.
He then completed a fellowship in oculoplastic, orbital and lacrimal surgery (watery eye disorders) at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and Women and Children’s Hospital, Adelaide, Australia.
Whilst in Australia, Mr Malhotra learnt innovative surgical techniques in eyelid reconstruction after tumour excision, endoscopic lacrimal surgery and browlift surgery.
He has had much experience in teaching trainees as well as personally performing a range of eye operations and treatments. He actively participates in organising regional courses and has published a range of papers on many aspects of eye surgery and procedures related to facial plastic surgery around the eyelids.
Specialist interests: Cornea, complex cataract, refractive surgery and Glaucoma.
Miss Artemis Matsou is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Cataract Lead at Queen Victoria Hospital, specialising in Cornea, Complex Cataract, Refractive surgery and Glaucoma. She also has a special interest in ocular surface reconstruction and limbal stem cell transplantation.
Miss Matsou has completed two prestigious Corneal Fellowships in Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge and Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead. She is a Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmology and a Member of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Miss Matsou sits at the Education Committee of the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS) and the Leadership Business Committee of the ESCRS, with continuous involvement in projects that aim to improve educational opportunities and leadership skills for ophthalmologists around Europe. She is also a Council Member of the MCLOSA and ESASO societies.
Miss Matsou has authored a number of peer-reviewed publications, including randomized controlled trials on endothelial corneal transplant techniques. She is an invited speaker in national and international Ophthalmology Conferences and a guest Reviewer in leading Ophthalmology Journals.
Page last updated: 30 January 2024.
Mr Gokulan Ratnarajan
Consultant Ophthalmic and Glaucoma Surgeon
Specialist interests:
– Specialist cataract surgery for patients with glaucoma: cataract surgery combined with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) to prevent glaucoma progression and reduce the dependence on glaucoma drops. MIGS includes endoscopic cyclophotocoagulation (ECP laser); I stents; Xen gel implants; Innfocus microshunt; goniotomy; and visco-expansion.
– Comprehensive glaucoma care: glaucoma diagnosis; laser treatment including Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT laser to reduce dependence on drops); glaucoma surgery including trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt implantation/tube surgery and the full range of MIGS.
Research interests: Innovations in glaucoma surgery; innovations in cataract surgery; optimising patient pathways for glaucoma and cataract care.
Mr Gokulan Ratnarajan is a full-time Consultant Ophthalmic and Glaucoma Surgeon at Queen Victoria NHS Foundation Trust. He is a keen teacher and is actively involved in clinical research. He publishes regularly in peer-reviewed journals and his research has won numerous awards at national and international level. He is regularly invited to review for international peer-reviewed journals.
Mr Ratnarajan graduated from University College London and completed his Ophthalmology training in Oxford. He undertook a MD research degree in Patient Pathway Optimisation at The Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Eye Hospital, London.
He has completed three specialist fellowships in glaucoma and anterior segment at The Oxford Eye Hospital, The Western Eye Hospital in London and the world renowned fellowship at the University of Toronto, Canada, where he has learnt and developed many new glaucoma surgeries, many of which are not available in the UK at present. Mr Ratnarajan brings innovation in glaucoma care to the UK to help treat glaucoma patients with safer and more effective treatments.
Glaucoma is a chronic condition requiring long-term treatment and follow-up. Patients appreciate Mr Ratnarajan’s gentle and empathetic approach. He takes the time to explain the diagnosis to his patients so they understand their condition and why they need to take their treatment.
Mr Hasan Naveed
Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Specialist interests: cornea, external eye disease, cataract and refractive surgery,
Mr Hasan Naveed (BSc, MBBS, FRCOphth) is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the Corneoplastic Unit, Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead. He specialises in comprehensive anterior segment care, with subspeciality expertise in cornea, keratorefractive surgery, external eye disease, glaucoma, complex cataract surgery, and anterior segment reconstruction.
Hasan is deeply committed to medical education and is especially passionate about supporting the development of trainees and fellows. He is also actively involved in research and academic work, with over 40 peer-reviewed publications to his name. He currently serves as an editorial board member for the Eye journal. Alongside his clinical and teaching roles, he has a strong interest in the digital transformation of healthcare, surgical innovation, and simulation-based training.
Hasan completed his ophthalmic training in the Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery including a TSC fellowship in Cornea and Glaucoma. He then undertook an advanced corneal fellowship at the prestigious Corneoplastic Unit of Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. He is a Fellow of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a member of The United Kingdom and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, European Society of Cataract and Refractive surgeons (ESCRS), Refractive Surgery Alliance, Cornea Society, British Society for Refractive Surgery, American-European Congress of Ophthalmic Surgery.
He currently serves as a council member of the British Society of Refractive Surgery, and enjoys additional roles of being an international examiner and surgical skills faculty member for The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He previously held the position of Chair of the Ophthalmologists-in-Training Group and served on the Council and Board of Trustees of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
Want to know more about Glaucoma or updates in treatments? Do you or someone you know have Keratoconus and would like to meet others with the condition? Why not join one of our support groups? You don’t have to be a QVH patient to attend and it’s a chance to meet others with the condition and hear from experts.
Glaucoma Support Group: Thursday 16 October from 2 – 4.30pm here at the hospital. The group is run in association with Glaucoma UK.
Keratoconus Support Group: Check back soon for our next dates.The group is run in association with Keratoconus Group.
For more information about the group please call 01342 414569 or email qvh.corneoinfo@nhs.net
Use NHS 111 Online ahead of the bank holiday weekend and busy period of industrial action
During the Easter bank holiday and planned industrial action by junior doctors (7am 11 April to 7am 15 April), people are urged to use services wisely.
This includes NHS 111 Online for non-emergency healthcare.
Our team is contacting some patients with planned appointments or surgery during the period of the planned industrial action. If we do not call you, please attend as normal.
Are you a member of our foundation trust?
Membership is free and you can get involved as much or as little as you like. All members receive email updates, our newsletter, and the chance to vote in governor elections and help us to shape our future. Find out more here
