Cornea
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Cornea at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital provides cornea and ocular surface care to patients across Greater Manchester. Observers and fellows can gain exposure to assessment, diagnosis and management of disorders affecting the cornea, ocular surface and anterior segment.
The service treats conditions including keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, recurrent erosion syndrome and dry eye disease. Care includes medical management, laser treatment and surgical options, with treatment plans tailored to the patient’s presentation and visual needs.
Observers and fellows gain exposure to how specialist cornea clinics combine slit lamp assessment, ocular surface review, imaging, contact lens support, cataract links and surgical decision-making. The service is supported by ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses and diagnostic teams, with optometrists also supporting corneal clinic co-management.
The programme is suited to international ophthalmology doctors and aspiring clinicians seeking practical exposure to corneal diagnosis, external eye disease, ocular surface management, keratoconus care, corneal grafting pathways, cataract-cornea overlap and multidisciplinary anterior segment practice.
Fellowships and observerships at Manchester Specialist Health Academy provide international clinicians with structured opportunities to experience high quality healthcare training within a leading NHS environment. Both pathways offer consultant oversight, a clear induction, and access to modern clinical settings that support a strong understanding of advanced patient care. Participants are welcomed into a professional community that encourages learning, collaboration, and engagement with the culture of Manchester.
While fellows take part in more in depth clinical development, gaining exposure to subspecialties, procedures and research, observers focus on shadowing and understanding multidisciplinary practice within NHS services. Both groups benefit from involvement in clinics, team discussions, and wider learning activities such as simulation sessions, CPD opportunities, and quality improvement insight.
Academic contributions and awards
Clinical and academic cornea activity: At Manchester Royal Eye Hospital , our cornea consultants contribute to specialist anterior segment practice, including corneal grafting, cataract-cornea overlap, keratoconus treatment and advanced ocular surface care.
Cornea and external disease expertise: Our consultant team includes specialists in Cornea and External Eye Disease, with experience across Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and other major UK eye hospitals.
Eye banking and transplantation links: Our cornea expertise includes advisory work linked to the Manchester CTS Eye Bank and ocular tissue advisory groups, supporting high standards in corneal transplantation services.
Innovation and research culture: We support research-informed practice across Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, including consultant publication activity, clinical lecturing and engagement with new ophthalmic technologies.
Ophthalmic research environment: We host a broad research and innovation culture, including eye research activity, clinical trials and multidisciplinary academic work across specialist ophthalmology services.
Rare and complex cases
- Keratoconus requiring specialist assessment, visual rehabilitation and consideration of procedural treatment.
- Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy with corneal decompensation and surgical decision-making needs.
- Herpes simplex keratitis and recurrent inflammatory corneal disease requiring careful diagnosis and follow-up.
- Recurrent erosion syndrome and persistent ocular surface symptoms affecting comfort and vision.
- Dry eye disease linked to complex ocular surface or systemic factors.
- Advanced ocular surface disease requiring coordinated medical, optometric and surgical input.
- Complex anterior segment surgery, including corneal grafting, cataract-cornea overlap and keratoconus treatment.
Why Manchester?
Manchester is a city of innovation and progress, renowned as the world’s first industrial city and still leading in science, healthcare, and technology. With excellent transport links and a vibrant, multicultural atmosphere, it offers an inclusive environment for learning and professional growth.
Beyond your placement, Manchester offers something for everyone - from watching the iconic Manchester derby to exploring world-class museums and galleries. With vibrant music, sport, and culture, the city truly has it all. Combining heritage and modernity, it creates a unique setting for personal enrichment and memorable experiences whilst you develop professionally.
Meet our expert supervisors
Our team consists of highly qualified and motivated professionals, who are all experts in their field. With many years of experience in the industry, they have the expertise to provide comprehensive, first-rate services to our clients.
Jennifer Kim
BSc (Hons), MBChB, FRCOphth
Miss Jennifer Kim is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Corneal and External Eye Disease at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Appointed as a Consultant in 2021, she completed ophthalmology training in the North West and advanced subspecialty training at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre. She has expertise in complex anterior segment surgery, including corneal grafting, cataract surgery, keratoconus treatment, and the management of advanced ocular surface disorders.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Cornea
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand assessment and management of cornea and ocular surface disease in a specialist eye hospital setting.
- Observe diagnosis and follow-up of keratoconus, herpes simplex keratitis, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, recurrent erosion syndrome and dry eye disease.
- Gain insight into slit lamp assessment, ocular surface examination, imaging, contact lens pathways and multidisciplinary clinic flow.
- Observe how medical, laser and surgical treatment options are selected for different corneal conditions.
- Understand the role of optometrists, nurses, diagnostic teams and ophthalmic surgeons in corneal care.
- Develop awareness of patient education, long-term follow-up and risk management in chronic cornea and external eye disease.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Cornea
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate supervised clinical reasoning in cornea and external eye disease, aligned to the fellow’s experience and agreed scope of practice.
- Strengthen interpretation of clinical findings, ocular surface signs, corneal imaging and disease progression in anterior segment care.
- •Build confidence in treatment planning for keratoconus, Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy, infectious keratitis, recurrent erosions and dry eye disease.
- Gain supervised exposure to complex anterior segment decision-making, including corneal grafting, cataract-cornea overlap and surgical referral planning.
- Develop understanding of corneal transplantation pathways, eye banking links, tissue considerations and post-operative monitoring.
- Engage with audit, teaching, service improvement or research activity where available within the fellowship structure.
Eligibility
- Postgraduate Qualification: Applicants must hold an overseas-recognised postgraduate medical qualification (MD, MS, Masters) in ophthalmology or a relevant specialty.
- Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ recent experience in ophthalmology or a related specialty within the last 5 years, including at least 12 months of continuous practice before applying.
- Training Level: Equivalent to ST5 or above, or post-CCT clinicians seeking subspecialty exposure.
- Language Proficiency: IELTS Academic with 7.0 in each band and overall 7.5, or OET Medicine with Grade B in all domains, with certificate validity within 24 months.
- Registration: GMC registration is required for fellowship activity. Sponsorship support may be available through approved routes where appropriate.
- Applicants must not have failed PLAB exams previously.
- Visa sponsorship is only available through approved routes; self-funded visas outside agreed schemes are excluded.