David Bessant
Area(s) of specialism / subspecialism:
Cataracts
Children's eye conditions
Conjunctivitis
Diabetic retinopathy
Dry eye
Floaters
Macular degeneration
Watering eye
Small incision phacoemulsification cataract surgery, retinal disorders and general ophthalmology
Year of first medical qualification:
1988
Location of initial medical training:
University of St Andrews and University of Manchester
Further key experience:
From 1992, David carried out his higher surgical training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, culminating in three years as a fellow in the medical retina service. He undertook a Medical Research Council fellowship, studying inherited eye disorders, from 1995-1998.
Date joined Moorfields:
1992
Membership of professional /national/regional bodies:
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Current NHS/university posts, whether full/part time, and starting year:
Consultant ophthalmologist and clinical director for Moorfields North (Northwick Park), Moorfields Eye Hospital
Other professional achievements:
David graduated with first class honours from the University of St Andrews before transferring to Manchester Medical School, where his MBChB was also awarded with honours. He gained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 1992 (winning the Brian Harcourt Medal for the highest mark in the 1992/93 examinations). He was awarded an MD from the University of London for his research work, which culminated in the discovery of a novel gene (NRL) causing autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (published in Nature Genetics).
Research interests:
Inherited eye disorders
Languages spoken:
English