ABOUT

  • Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon in Glaucoma, Cataract and Emergency Ophthalmology, King’s College Hospital, London
  • Reader (Associate Professor) in Ophthalmology, Faculty of Life Sciences & Medicine, King’s College London
  • FRCOphth, Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London 2015
  • PhD in Ophthalmology (Glaucoma), UCL Institute of Ophthalmology 2014
  • MRCSEd(Ophth), Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh 2009
  • MSc by Research in Glaucoma (2-year course), St Peter’s College, Oxford University 2007
  • MBBS (1st Class, Grade: 9.33/10.00), School of Medicine, University of Athens 2003

I trained in Ophthalmology initially as a Senior House Officer in Edinburgh and Birmingham, and later as a Specialist Registrar completed the South Thames surgical training programme in Ophthalmology in London, working at St Thomas’ Hospital, King’s College Hospital, Kingston Hospital and at the Moorfields Eye Centre at St George’s. I have also completed subspecialty glaucoma fellowship training at Moorfields Eye Hospital and have extensive experience in Ophthalmology. As part of my academic training as an NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer at the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology I investigated the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma and its relevance to the development of new glaucoma treatments. I am on the specialist register of the General Medical Council.

  • NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Grant (£2mil): co-Chief Investigator for NAMinG trial (2021-2026)
  • NHS Clinical Excellence Awards (2018-present) given to recognise contributions to the NHS which are over and above that normally expected
  • Member of the European Glaucoma Panel (EGP) IV and Mentoring Program (2012-2015)
  • Ranked 1st student of all candidates for University studies in Greece in 1997
  • Fight for Sight New Lecturer Award 2016: Systemic mitochondrial function: a clinically useful novel biomarker for open angle glaucoma
  • AFER/NIHR BRC for Ophthalmology ARVO Travel Grant 2012: Aconitase activity, as a measure of oxidative stress, in patients with normal tension glaucoma and ocular hypertension
  • IGA/UKEGS Research Award 2017: Identifying the genetic basis for heritable Normal Tension Glaucoma, with a focus on mitochondrial function (co-investigator)
  • UK Biochemical Society Bursary 2013: Systemic mTOR activity, as a regulator of mitochondrial function, in patients with normal tension glaucoma and ocular hypertension
  • Royal Society of Medicine Squint Forum Prize 2010: Nystagmus and reduced visual acuity secondary to drug exposure in utero

 

I have more than 60 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious journals, such as The Lancet, Nature Genetics and others. I have an active research portfolio in neuroprotection in glaucoma and my academic work has been funded by the International Glaucoma Association, Fight for Sight, Moorfields Special Trustees, Allergan Europe and the TFC Frost Charitable Trust.

I believe that, beyond established treatments (drops, laser or surgery) to lower the eye pressure, there is a role for neuroprotection and neuroenhancement in glaucoma. Having worked in this field since 2005, I feel strongly about discussing with my patients the emerging evidence on these new treatments, especially when glaucoma appears to be deteriorating despite lowering the eye pressure.

I am currently the Principal Investigator for a large prospective study between Moorfields Eye Hospital and King’s College Hospital investigating the role of mitochondrial function as a novel biomarker for glaucoma.

I’m also the Principal Investigator at King’s College Hospital for the PEACE trial in collaboration with St Thomas’ Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital. This is an interventional randomised study comparing surgical approaches to treat African-Caribbean patients with uncontrolled primary open angle glaucoma.

I am an invited reviewer for the British Journal of Ophthalmology, Experimental Eye Research, and other journals.

I am passionate about patient education and regularly organise patient education seminars and open days at King’s College Hospital. I have contributed to the ‘I Know Glaucoma’ online educational course for patients with a diagnosis of glaucoma or their friends and family.

  • Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London
  • Specialist Registration General Medical Council (GMC)
  • Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
  • Member of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), USA
  • Member of the International Society for Eye Research (ISER)
  • Member of the United Kingdom and Eire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS)
  • Member of the Heraldic and Genealogical Society of Greece
  • Member of the Medical and Dental Defence Union of Scotland (MDDUS)
  • Member of the British Medical Association (BMA)

 

I regularly train ophthalmology trainees, visiting ophthalmologists, optometrists, orthoptists, nurses and medical students in the diagnosis and management of glaucoma. I am a Reader  (Associate Professor) in Ophthalmology at King’s College London and regularly examine for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. I am also a contributor to the Glaucoma Module for the UCL Diploma in Clinical Optometry.