Corneoplastics and ophthalmology

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

QVH performed 1,106 cases of phacoemulsification for cataracts in 2014. Departmental audit shows that cases of post-operative eye infection are extremely rare and well below national average rates. We monitor the number of these patients who achieve significant improvement to the vision in that eye.

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.

Percentage of patients achieving vision better than 6/12 after cataract surgery without other eye disease

Full details of our patient safety, patient experience and clinical effectiveness measures are published in our annual Quality Report. Find the latest version here.

Mr Samer Hamada

Specialist interests: Management of adult and children’s corneal disease, corneal transplantation (graft) in adults and children, complex corneal and anterior segment surgery; stem cells transplantation; cataract surgery; glaucoma surgery; primary and secondary intraocular lenses implantation including special intraocular lenses, and laser eye surgery.

Mr Samer Hamada is a highly trained and experienced corneal surgeon with 18 years’ experience in ophthalmology both in the UK and internationally. He has completed cornea and anterior segment fellowships at the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Wolverhampton Eye Infirmary, and QVH’s Corneoplastic Unit and Eye Bank. He also completed a fellowship in paediatric ophthalmology at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London.

Mr Hamada devotes a lot of time to developing new innovations for managing patients with cornea and ocular surface diseases. He has special interest in managing corneal problems in children including corneal transplantation for babies born with congenital eye diseases and looked after babies and children with complex cornea and ocular surface diseases at Great Ormond Street before joining QVH.

Mr Hamada regularly lectures at international conferences and teaches new techniques in corneal transplant surgery to international colleagues. His articles have been published in many peer-reviewed journals and he has written many book chapters on cornea and cataract. He has chosen as a reviewer for several renowned ophthalmology journals including the American Journal of Ophthalmology and British Journal of Ophthalmology.

Mr Hamada is respected and liked by his patients and colleagues who praise him for his professionalism, expertise, and kindness.

Mr Damian Lake

Specialist interests: Cornea Transplants (High risk Penetrating Keratoplasty, DALK,DSEK,DMEK); Ocular surface reconstruction (Ocular surface stem cell transplants, amniotic membrane); Keratoprosthesis; Anterior segment reconstructions (artificial iris, secondary intraocular lenses); Cataract surgery (complex cases); Laser vision correction and complex cases; Keratoconus rehabilitation (collagen cross linking, Intacs, Ferrara rings, DALK); Inflammatory ocular surface conditions (Stevens Johnson syn, ocular pemphigoid).

Mr Damian Lake is Lead Corneal Consultant at The Corneo Plastic Unit and medical advisor to the Eye Bank at The Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead.

Mr Lake joined the Trust in 2007. He lectures both nationally and internationally on his specialist interests and reviews in major international journals.

Mr Andre Litwin

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 10 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.

Read reviews from Mr Litwin’s patients on iWantGreatCare

Mr Raman Malhotra

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

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.

Mr Malhotra’s publications

Read reviews from Mr Malhotra’s patients on iWantGreatCare

Mr Gokulan Ratnarajan

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; Cypass 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.