Vitreoretinal
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Vitreoretinal at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
The Vitreoretinal programme at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital offers observers and fellows exposure to a high-volume specialist service managing complex surgical disease affecting the posterior segment of the eye. The service provides surgical treatment for patients from Greater Manchester and beyond, including urgent and planned care for retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, complicated diabetic eye disease, complications after cataract surgery, eye injuries and endophthalmitis.
Observers and fellows can expect to see how specialist assessment, imaging, treatment planning and operative decision-making are integrated within a tertiary eye hospital environment. Clinical exposure may include outpatient assessment, diagnostic imaging review, theatre-based vitreoretinal surgery, emergency retinal pathways, post-operative follow-up and multidisciplinary working with specialist nurses, optometrists and ophthalmic photographers.
The unit is nationally and internationally recognised as a centre of excellence and has a long-established fellowship training profile. Its fellowship experience has attracted ophthalmic doctors internationally, and Manchester-trained vitreoretinal surgeons have progressed to consultant practice in the UK and overseas. The programme is suited to ophthalmologists and aspiring clinicians seeking focused exposure to advanced vitreoretinal practice, NHS surgical pathways, governance, audit, research and the delivery of safe specialist eye care.
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
1. Timing of macular hole surgery among vitreoretinal surgeons in the UK: A national survey, review of literature and future direction.
Ng JKY, Lloyd A, Ivanova T, Jalil A. Eye (Lond). 2026 Apr 14.
2. Outcomes of vitreoretinal surgery for familial exudative vitreoretinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current literature.
Tahoun M, Kiraly P, Tahoun R, Ivanova T, Bakr A, Jalil A. Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Mar 26;46(1):177.
3. The Manchester buckle study: 15-year outcomes and predictive factors for success in scleral buckling for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Lippera M, Kiraly P, Ally N, Alnafisee N, Agarwal R, Jalil A, Ivanova T, Moussa G, Dhawahir-Scala F, Patton N, Turner G, Charles S, Jasani K. Br J Ophthalmol. 2026 Feb 17:bjo-2025-328525.
4. A literature review of macular holes in age-related macular degeneration: insights into the pathogenesis, prognosis and surgical outcomes.
Christou EE, Ivanova T, Patton N, Moussa G, Kiraly P, Huelin FJ, MacLaren RE, Jalil A. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Feb 12.
5. Outcomes and complications of sponges versus tires for scleral buckling in primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: The Manchester Buckle Study.
Kiraly P, Lippera M, Ally N, Agarwal R, Moussa G, Ivanova T, Dhawahir-Scala F, Patton N, Turner G, Charles S, Jalil A, Jasani KM. Acta Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 27.
6. 3D volumetric analysis outperforms 2D linear measurements in predicting vision after surgery for epiretinal membranes. An exploratory machine learning study.
Lippera M, Moussa G, Michaels L, Ng JKY, Jalil A, Ivanova T, Dhawahir-Scala F, Jasani K, Patton N. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2026 Mar;264(3):711-721.
7. Influence of drainage retinotomy on anatomical and visual outcomes of pars plana vitrectomy for primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.
Ferrara M, Moussa G, Jalil A, Tzoumas N, Ivanova T, Yorston D, Steel DHW; BEAVRS and EURETINA Retinal Detachment Outcomes Group. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 17;10(1):e002038.
8. Outcomes of Scleral Buckling in Paediatric Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment: The Manchester Buckle Study
Kiraly P, Lippera M, Agarwal R, Ivanova T, Moussa G, Dhawahir-Scala F, Patton N, Turner G, Charles S, Jalil A, Jasani, K. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 5874.
9. Foveal detachment in voretigene neparvovec administration: essential step or avoidable risk?
Kiraly P, Ivanova T, Jalil A. Eye (Lond). 2025 Feb 7. doi: 10.1038/s41433-025-03672-x. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39920348.
10. Real-world outcomes of Voretigene Neparvovec: a single-centre consecutive case series.
Jalil A, Ferrara M, Lippera M, Parry N, Black GC, Banderas S, Ashworth J, Biswas S, Hall G, Gray J, Newman W, Ivanova T. Eye (Lond). 2025 Feb 3. doi: 10.1038/s41433-025-03637-0.
Rare and complex cases
• Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, including urgent and complex presentations.
• Macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery.
• Complex diabetic tractional retinal detachment and complicated diabetic eye disease.
• Endophthalmitis requiring urgent vitreoretinal assessment and treatment.
• Ocular trauma, eye injuries and intraocular foreign body pathways.
• Complications following cataract surgery requiring posterior segment intervention.
• Retinal gene therapy.
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.
Assad Jalil
MBBS, FRCOphth
Mr Assad Jalil is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Vitreoretinal and Cataract Surgeon, and Uveitis Specialist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He specialises in the surgical and medical management of retinal diseases, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular disorders, and ocular inflammation (uveitis). Alongside his clinical practice, he is actively involved in pioneering retinal gene therapy research, has published extensively in ophthalmology, and plays a key role in training vitreoretinal fellows and surgeons from around the world.
Niall Patton
MB ChB, MD, FRCOphth
Mr Niall Patton is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Appointed as a Consultant in 2008, he specialises in the management of retinal disease and leads the Manchester Vitreoretinal Fellowship Programme, training ophthalmologists from around the world. He has extensive fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery and combines his clinical expertise with a strong academic and research background.
Tsveta Ivanova
DM, PhD, MRCOphth
Miss Tsveta Ivanova is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. She specialises in the surgical and medical management of vitreoretinal diseases, including retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular disorders, and complex cataract surgery. Having completed advanced vitreoretinal fellowships in Glasgow and Manchester and performed over 2,000 retinal procedures, she brings extensive surgical expertise to her practice.
Felipe Dhawahir-Scala
MBChB (Hons), FRCOphth, FRCSEd, LMS
Mr Felipe Dhawahir-Scala is a Consultant Ophthalmic and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He specialises in the management of retinal disorders, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, complex cataract surgery, and acute ophthalmic conditions. Alongside his clinical practice, he is actively involved in research, scientific peer review, and medical education, with numerous publications and presentations at national and international meetings.
Kirti Jasani
MBChB, FRCOphth, FEBO
Mr Kirti Jasani is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He specialises in the medical and surgical management of retinal diseases, including retinal detachment, macular disorders, diabetic eye disease, and complex cataract surgery. Following training in Manchester, he completed advanced vitreoretinal fellowships and a gene therapy research fellowship at the University of Oxford. He is actively involved in training and has contributed to ophthalmic research through publications and international presentations.
George Moussa
MBChB, FRCOphth
Mr George Moussa is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He specialises in the medical and surgical management of complex retinal conditions, including retinal detachment, macular disease, diabetic eye disease, and cataract surgery. Alongside his clinical practice, he serves as a Chief Clinical Information Officer, leading digital innovation and research, and is actively involved in training ophthalmologists and vitreoretinal fellows from around the world.
Our signature programmes
Observership
Vitreoretinal
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Understand the structure and flow of a tertiary vitreoretinal service within the NHS.
- Observe assessment and treatment planning for retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, diabetic vitreoretinal disease, ocular trauma and endophthalmitis.
- Develop practical understanding of how OCT, widefield retinal photography, fluorescein angiography, ICG angiography and B-scan ultrasonography support diagnosis, triage and surgical planning.
- Observe theatre workflows, peri-operative preparation, consent discussions, patient safety checks and post-operative review processes.
- Gain insight into multidisciplinary working with consultants, fellows, resident doctors, specialist nurses, optometrists and ophthalmic photographers.
- Understand standards of documentation, governance, audit and patient-centred communication in a UK specialist eye hospital.
Eligibility
- The visiting professional must have sufficient English language skills to engage meaningfully in the observership.
Fellowship
Vitreoretinal
Objectives
By the end of the placement, the visiting professional should be able to:
- Consolidate advanced clinical reasoning in vitreoretinal assessment, surgical triage and post-operative management under appropriate supervision.
- Build experience of complex vitreoretinal case selection, operative planning and risk assessment across emergency and elective pathways.
- Develop familiarity with NHS theatre processes, multidisciplinary decision-making, complication management and governance in specialist ophthalmic surgery.
- Engage with audit, quality improvement, teaching or research activity.
- Strengthen professional confidence for future subspecialty practice by working within an established vitreoretinal fellowship environment.
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.
- Additional specialty expectation: fellows should have prior ophthalmology theatre exposure and a clear interest in vitreoretinal surgery.