Oculoplastics
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Oculoplastics at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital provides oculoplastic, lacrimal, orbital and anophthalmic socket services for residents of Greater Manchester, with referrals also received from across the North of England and North Wales for highly specialist procedures.
Observers and fellows can gain exposure to one of ophthalmology’s most diverse subspecialties, including medical management, reconstructive surgery, functional eyelid surgery, orbital surgery, lacrimal surgery, trauma care, anophthalmic socket management and selected aesthetic procedures.
The service treats eyelid malposition, ptosis, eyelid tumours requiring Mohs reconstruction, eyelid and lacrimal trauma, congenital or acquired tear duct obstruction, watery eyes, thyroid eye disease, orbital tumours, orbital fractures, eye removal, orbital implants and socket reconstruction.
The consultant-led service is supported by oculoplastic nurse practitioners and ocular prosthetics specialists. Observers and fellows are exposed to how assessment, surgical planning, patient counselling, theatre care and long-term rehabilitation are coordinated across a multidisciplinary team.
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
Oculoplastic academic activity: At Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, our oculoplastics consultants publish in peer-reviewed journals and present nationally and internationally, supporting research-informed practice across eyelid, lacrimal, orbital and socket surgery.
Ocular prosthetics development: Our Ocular Prosthetics Department has provided custom ocular and facial prosthetics since 1982, supporting surgical rehabilitation and long-term patient aftercare
Rare and complex cases
- Periocular and eyelid malignancy requiring tumour excision, Mohs reconstruction and complex eyelid reconstruction.
- Orbital tumours, thyroid eye disease, orbital cellulitis and orbital trauma requiring specialist imaging review and surgical planning.
- Lacrimal obstruction, canalicular trauma and watery eye pathways requiring clinical assessment and endoscopic DCR decision-making.
- Facial palsy requiring eyelid and eyebrow surgery to protect the ocular surface and improve function.
- Anophthalmic socket reconstruction, enucleation, evisceration, orbital implant planning and ocular prosthetic rehabilitation.
- Complex socket cases requiring collaboration between surgeons, nurse practitioners and ocular prosthetics specialists.
- Rare orbital lesions such as angioleiomyoma, where careful diagnostic work-up, surgical excision and histopathological review are central to care.
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.
James Laybourne
Dr James Laybourne is a Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon and Medical Director at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. His specialist interests include eyelid, lacrimal and orbital disorders, reconstructive oculoplastic surgery, and service innovation within ophthalmology
Sajid Ataullah
Dr Sajid Ataullah is a Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and Clinical Lead for Oculoplastic Surgery. Appointed as a consultant in 2002, he specialises in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery, including eyelid disorders, tear duct surgery, orbital disease and reconstructive procedures.
Paul Cannon
Dr Paul Cannon is a Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Appointed in Manchester in 2016, he specialises in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery, including eyelid disorders, tear duct surgery, thyroid eye disease and orbital conditions, alongside cataract surgery.
Anne Cook
Dr Anne Cook is a Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Appointed in 2005, she specialises in oculoplastic, lacrimal and orbital surgery, with particular expertise in thyroid eye disease, eyelid surgery and reconstructive procedures. She leads a multidisciplinary thyroid eye disease service.
Aruna Dharmasena
Dr Aruna Dharmasena is a Consultant Ophthalmic, Oculoplastic, Lacrimal and Orbital Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Appointed in 2015, he specialises in adult and paediatric oculoplastic surgery, including eyelid disorders, tear duct disease, orbital conditions, thyroid eye disease and reconstructive surgery.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Oculoplastics
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure of oculoplastic services across eyelid, lacrimal, orbital, trauma, socket and ocular prosthetic pathways.
- Observe assessment and management of eyelid malposition, ptosis, eyelid tumours, lacrimal obstruction, orbital disease and anophthalmic socket conditions.
- Gain insight into clinical history, examination, imaging review, diagnosis, counselling and surgical planning in oculoplastic practice.
- Observe multidisciplinary working between consultants, oculoplastic nurse practitioners, theatre teams and ocular prosthetics specialists.
- Develop awareness of periocular tumour reconstruction, lacrimal surgery, orbital trauma, thyroid eye disease and prosthetic rehabilitation pathways.
- Understand the patient-centred impact of oculoplastic surgery on ocular comfort, function, appearance, confidence and long-term rehabilitation.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Oculoplastics
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate supervised clinical reasoning in oculoplastic, lacrimal, orbital and socket conditions, aligned to the fellow’s experience and agreed scope of practice.
- Strengthen assessment and surgical planning for eyelid malposition, ptosis, eyelid tumours, lacrimal obstruction, orbital disease and trauma.
- Build confidence in recognising complex anatomy, risk factors, complications and escalation points across oculoplastic pathways.
- Gain supervised exposure to reconstructive principles, periocular oncology pathways, thyroid eye disease, socket reconstruction and ocular prosthetic rehabilitation.
- Develop understanding of multidisciplinary care models involving ophthalmology, endocrinology, nursing, prosthetics, imaging and theatre teams.
- Engage with audit, teaching, research or service improvement activity.
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.