Biography

Professor Harry Roberts is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in cataract, corneal and refractive surgery in Exeter, Devon. His practice encompasses modern cataract surgery, premium and astigmatism-correcting lens implants, refractive lens exchange, laser vision correction, implantable contact lenses and complex corneal surgery, including corneal transplantation. Alongside his private practice, Harry holds senior NHS, university and research positions in Exeter and across the South West.

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Current Clinical, Academic & Research Positions

Consultant Ophthalmologist – Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Consultant specialising in corneal, cataract and external eye disease at the West of England Eye Unit in Exeter.

Cataract Lead – Nightingale Hospital Exeter
Clinical lead for cataract surgery at Exeter’s high-volume cataract surgical centre, with particular interests in modernising cataract pathways, improving surgical efficiency and enhancing the patient experience.

Honorary Associate Professor – University of Plymouth
Honorary academic appointment supporting undergraduate and postgraduate education in ophthalmology and clinical practice.

Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer – University of Exeter Medical School
Combining clinical practice with undergraduate medical education, research and academic ophthalmology.

Specialty Lead for Ophthalmology – University of Exeter Medical School
Leading and supporting ophthalmology teaching within the University of Exeter Medical School.

Regional Specialty Lead for Ophthalmology – NIHR South West Regional Research Delivery Network
Supporting the development and delivery of ophthalmology research across the South West of England through the National Institute for Health and Care Research.

NIHR HealthTech Research Centre Fellow for Sustainability – Exeter
Undertaking research focused on reducing the environmental impact of healthcare and developing more sustainable models of surgical care.

Cornea & Cataract Fellowship Lead – Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Providing advanced surgical training and mentorship in corneal transplantation, cataract and anterior segment surgery.

Royal College of Ophthalmologists Skills Faculty
Contributing to surgical skills training and professional education for ophthalmologists.

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Training & Qualifications

Harry studied medicine at the University of Birmingham, where he graduated with multiple distinctions.

He subsequently completed a Master’s degree in Anatomy, a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education, and an MD(Res) research doctorate at King’s College London. His doctoral research investigated the introduction of femtosecond laser technology into cataract surgery within publicly funded healthcare.

His specialist ophthalmic training included competitive fellowship training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London and Southend University Hospital, with advanced training in corneal and anterior segment surgery.

Harry is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) and holds the College’s Certificate in Laser and Refractive Surgery (CertLRS).

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Awards & Professional Recognition

Harry was awarded the Harcourt Medal by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists for achieving the highest performance in the Fellowship examinations.

He has also received recognition for his clinical research and work developing new approaches to ophthalmic care, including work in cataract surgery, bilateral cataract surgery and sustainable healthcare.

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Research & Innovation

Research and innovation form an important part of Harry’s clinical practice.

He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed scientific publications and regularly presents research at national and international ophthalmology meetings.

His principal research interests include cataract surgery, corneal surgery, refractive surgery, immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery (ISBCS), surgical pathway innovation and environmental sustainability in healthcare.

A particular focus has been developing more efficient ways of delivering cataract surgery while maintaining high standards of patient safety and experience. This has included the development and evaluation of single-visit “see-and-treat” cataract pathways and immediate sequential bilateral cataract surgery, where appropriate patients can have both cataracts treated during the same surgical session.

Harry is also co-author of Current Clinical Evidence in Ophthalmology, a reference text for ophthalmologists and ophthalmologists in training.

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Teaching & Training

Harry has a longstanding interest in medical education.

Alongside his academic appointments at the University of Plymouth and University of Exeter, he teaches medical students, optometrists, ophthalmologists in training and established eye surgeons.

At the Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust he leads advanced fellowship training in corneal and cataract surgery, helping train ophthalmologists undertaking subspecialist surgical training.

He also contributes to surgical education through the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Skills Faculty and regularly lectures at regional, national and international meetings.

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Private Cataract, Corneal & Refractive Surgery in Exeter

Harry’s private practice is based at the Medical Eye Clinic in Exeter, where he sees patients from Exeter, Devon and the wider South West.

His approach is based on detailed assessment and selecting treatment according to the individual patient’s eyes, lifestyle and visual priorities.

For cataract patients, this includes access to modern monofocal, toric, extended-depth-of-focus and multifocal lens technologies.

For patients seeking greater independence from glasses or contact lenses, the available approaches include laser vision correction, ICL surgery and refractive lens exchange. Having expertise across these different techniques allows their relative advantages and disadvantages to be considered for each individual patient.

For patients with corneal disease, Harry provides specialist assessment and treatment for conditions including keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy and other corneal disorders, as well as the full range of modern corneal transplantation techniques.