Michael Burdon begins his term of office as a British Council for Prevention of Blindness (BCPB) Trustee in July 2020, and in October 2020 will become Chairman of the Council when Paul Hunter retires after six years.
Mr Burdon is a consultant ophthalmologist with a specialist interest in neuro-ophthalmology at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. He trained in medicine in London, and then in ophthalmology at Oxford, Birmingham, Brisbane, the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Moorfields Eye Hospital.
His decision to train as an eye surgeon was heavily influenced by observing cataract surgery at Kisiizi Hospital, Uganda during a student elective in 1985. He has maintained a considerable interest in international ophthalmology throughout his career and in 2007, with the support of the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH), he established a formal link between his eye department and that of Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Tanzania. This link has helped to train Tanzanian ophthalmologists, develop subspecialty ophthalmology services, and support clinical research.
He has served at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists for 10 years, most recently as President from 2017 to 2020. He was instrumental in establishing the College’s link with the College of Ophthalmology of East, Central and Southern Africa, ((COECSA) and has supported this work by delivering training in examinations, research development, and speaking at COECSA’s annual congresses. He continues to work with the ICEH to support the international Links programme.
He has held a variety of additional leadership roles, including Chairman of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence cataract guideline development committee, and has worked with a number of sight related charities advocating for better access to eye services and support for the visually impaired.
