Prof Stephen A Vernon

Trained in Bristol, Oxford and Baltimore (USA) Stephen Vernon was appointed as a Consultant in Ophthalmic Surgery in Nottingham in 1986 and practiced as a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at University Hospitals NHS Trust Nottingham until leaving the NHS in 2015. He was one of the youngest consultants appointed in a surgical speciality in the modern era and now has over 40 years’ experience as an ophthalmologist.

He has practiced at The Park Hospital for the last 30 years, specialising in difficult cataract surgery (with one of the lowest complication rates in the UK), glaucoma surgery and Neuro-ophthalmology. His main surgical interest now is cataract and lens replacement surgery for optical errors specialising in the use of astigmatism correcting lens implants to achieve good vision without spectacles for most activities.

For many of his 30 years at the Park Hospital, including at present, he has sat on the Medical Advisory Committee and advises on systems and equipment needs for the ophthalmology unit there. In addition to his interest in modern cataract surgery, he is a recognised opinion leader in glaucoma in the UK having chaired the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Glaucoma Guidelines working Party and the Department of Health Working Party on Glaucoma Management.

In 1991 he designed the microtrabeculectomy, a minimally invasive glaucoma procedure, and has published the results of this and other glaucoma surgical operations and laser treatments in peer reviewed literature over the last thirty plus years. He has over 180 scientific publications, many in prestigious journals, and has lectured all over the world, particularly on glaucoma detection and management. He has authored three textbooks on ophthalmology as well as a number of chapters in multi-author books.

He is an ex-chairman of the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society and ex-president of the Midland Ophthalmological Society. Between 2016 and 2019 he was the Vice President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and still regularly examines for their higher qualification examinations.

In 2007 he was made an honorary Fellow of the College of Optometrists having been given the honour for his national work in glaucoma management and research.

In 2008 the University of Nottingham awarded him the title of Honorary Professor of Ophthalmology for his research and other academic achievements.

In 2020 he was awarded a fellowship of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgeons to mark his contribution to the development of glaucoma surgery during his career.

Professor Vernon prides himself on his communication skills and, with new patient consultations at one hour in length and review appointments at 30 min, there is time to fully discuss a patient's condition and their options for treatment.

Clinical Interests

Professor Vernon regularly performs the following treatments:

• Modern phacoemulsification cataract surgery (including toric astigmatism correcting lenses where indicated)
• Lens replacement surgery for optical errors
• Laser treatment for glaucoma (Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) and cyclodiode)
• Yag laser capsulotomy (laser for posterior capsule thickening (occurring in some patients following cataract surgery))
• Yag Laser iridotomy (for narrow angle glaucoma patients and narrow angles without glaucoma)
• Microtrabeculectomy – small incision trabeculectomy (see above)
• Intravitreal injections for AMD (age-related macular degeneration), diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusions

Professional Memberships

• UK and Eire Glaucoma Soc (past Chairman)
• European Glaucoma Soc,
• UK and Eire Society of Cataract and refractive surgeons.
• Midland Ophthalmological Soc (past President)
• Midland Glaucoma Soc (founding Chairman)