I have been a consultant ophthalmologist at the Bristol Eye Hospital since 2017, where I specialise in cataract surgery and the treatment of retinal conditions.
Following medical school, I was fortunate to undertake my ophthalmology training at Moorfields Eye Hospital. During this training rotation, I learnt from leading authorities in different ophthalmic sub-specialities such as glaucoma, cornea and neuro-ophthalmology. This comprehensive training gave me tremendous exposure to the diagnosis and management of a wide range of general ophthalmic conditions.
After this, I undertook three years of advanced fellowship training to specialise in treating difficult and challenging medical and surgical retinal (vitreoretinal) conditions. Due to this, I am skilled in dealing with a variety of conditions - from routine epiretinal membrane surgery to high-risk cataracts or sight-saving macular hole and retinal detachment repairs using the latest phacoemulsification and vitrectomy technology.
Throughout my training, I saw how high quality research impacts on clinical care. This inspired me to complete a PhD research degree aimed at finding new ways of treating wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). I also collaborated on cutting-edge research into anti-VEGF treatment for diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions. While my PhD contributed to the scientific knowledge about AMD, during this time I learnt valuable analytical skills that I use to evaluate new research and treatments. This ensures that I provide my patients with the safest and most effective eye surgery, laser eye treatments and ophthalmic procedures available.
I have acheived the Royal College of Ophthalmologist’s Certificate in Laser & Refractive Surgery (CertLRS). This signifies that I am accredited to perform laser vision correction (including LASIK, LASEK and PRK) and lens-based vision correction (including lens replacement and ICL) surgery.
I believe that the quality of care I provide is influenced by the partnership that I have with my patients. I ensure that I really understand their anxieties or concerns, providing relevant information about their condition in a clear manner. It is essential to explore all the pros and cons of different treatment options and I make sure that there is plenty of time to ask any questions. Open and honest communication is so important and I want them to feel confident and at ease with the journey ahead.
“I believe that the quality of care I provide is influenced by the partnership that I have with my patients. I ensure that I really understand their anxieties or concerns, providing relevant information about their condition in a clear manner. ”
Training
2008 Ophthalmology Registrar Training, Moorfields Eye Hospital
2010 Fellow of Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Awarded the Harcourt gold medal for obtaining the highest results in final consultant examinations
2011 Fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery, Moorfields Eye Hospital
2015 Fellowship in medical retinal conditions, Moorfields Eye Hospital
Awarded the John Henahan Prize for Young Ophthalmologists
2016 Fellowship in vitreoretinal surgery, Moorfields Eye Hospital
2017 Entry into GMC Specialist Register
Education
2002 BSc(Hons) in Anatomy
University College London
2003 MBBS
Royal Free & University College Medical School (now University College London Medical School)
Place 3rd in final year examinations with distinctions in medicine, surgery, clinical pharmacology
Final year prizes for surgery, histopathology, cardiology and chest medicine
Awarded the Duke Elder prize by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists for placing 1st in UK & Ireland in their undergraduate prize examinations in 2001
2017 PhD
Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London
Awarded a £250k research fellowship by Medical Research Council & Fight for Sight in a national competitive process open to all clinical specialists in 2012
2018 Certificate in Laser & Refractive Surgery
Royal College of Ophthalmologists, United Kingdom
Teaching
At Bristol Eye Hospital, I help train our fellows in cataract and retinal surgery. This includes macular hole and epiretinal membrane surgery, emergency retinal detachment surgery and the surgical skills needed for operating on cases with advanced diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. Our previous fellows are currently practising as consultants in UK, Australia, Switzerland, Italy and Ireland. I am an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Bristol.
I have written two chapters in major ophthalmic and training textbooks, in addition to contributing to a video training manual for cataract surgery:
Chapter on ‘Proliferative vitreoretinopathy’ in ‘Yanoff & Duker: Ophthalmology 5e’, 2017.
Chapter on ‘Vitreoretinal surgery’ in ‘Training in ophthalmology 2e’, 2016.
Contributor to ‘Complications in phacoemulsification cataract surgery’ in Eyemovies.
Research
I am a principal investigator at Bristol Eye Hospital for trials investigating new treatments for age-related macular degeneration.
I have researched ways of making cataract surgery safer and won a prize from the European Society of Cataract an Refractive Surgeons in 2007 for this work. I have lead studies investigating retinal conditions such as vitreomacular traction and surgical techniques in retinal detachment repairs.
My work has been published in the scientific literature over 30 times and I have presented my research at conferences over 30 times.
Mr Liyanage has been the consultant ophthalmologist at the Bristol Eye Hospital since 2017.
