Name and Position

Mr Tom Eke MA (Cantab), MD, FRCOphth
Consultants
Ophthalmology

Contact Details

Main Telephone Number:01603 288578

Profile

Department page: Opthalmology

Sub-speciality: Glaucoma, Cataract, Neuro-Ophthalmology

Special clinical interests: Diagnosis and management of glaucoma. Management of cataract. Neuro-ophthalmology (diagnosis & management of problems affecting optic nerves and visual fields).

Research interests: My main research interests are safety/effectiveness of local anesthesia, and patient-centred outcomes for glaucoma surgery.

Current membership(s) of professional National and Regional bodies: Fellow, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, Treasurer, British Ophthalmic Anaesthesia Society, Member, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Member, Glaucoma Society (UK & Eire), Member, British Medical Association.

GMC Number: 3304800

Professional profile:  I am a consultant ophthalmologist, specialising in glaucoma, cataract and neuro-ophthalmology. I perform about 600-700 eye operations or laser procedures a year, mainly for cataract and glaucoma.

For cataract surgery I use the modern, small incision phacoemulsification technique, with folding lens implant. This day-case procedure takes about ten minutes to do, using topical anaesthesia (eye-drops to keep the eye comfortable), and usually gives excellent results. I normally will correct any pre-existing short-sight, long-sight or astigmatism at the time of cataract surgery. Audit shows that my surgical success rates and complication rates are significantly better than national standards, despite the fact that most of my operations are done on ‘higher risk’ eyes.  I have developed a technique which allows for modern cataract surgery to be done for people who are unable to lie flat: surgery is done with topical anaesthesia and the patient can be sitting completely upright, if necessary.

For glaucoma patients, treatment options include eye-drops, laser or an operation. Again, audit shows that my surgical ourcomes are significantly better than the national standard. I am happy to treat complex cases, including repeat operations for glaucoma and combined surgery for glaucoma and cataract.

In neuro-ophthalmology, I look after people with other problems affecting the optic nerves and visual fields.

Because everybody is different, I always try to make sure that treatment is tailored to the individual’s personal needs.

I qualified from Cambridge University in 1988. Much of my surgical training took place in Leicester. I spent a year in the USA for specialist training in glaucoma management at the prestigious Devers Eye Institute and Oregon Health Sciences University. I also did a research Fellowship with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in London, during which I carried out a national study into the safety of local anaesthesia for eye operations.

I continue to publish research papers, mainly on the subjects of glaucoma, cataract surgery, safety/effectiveness of local anaesthetics , and improving the patient experience. I am invited to lecture on these subjects at several national and international ophthalmology conferences each year.

Personal profile: My main interests are my family, the countryside, the arts (particularly music and cinema), and, of course, curry.