Glaucoma UK has announced the appointments of the new President and President-elect for its UK and Éire Glaucoma Society (UKEGS).
Ms Nishani Amerasinghe, Consultant Ophthalmologist at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, succeeds Professor Gus Gazzard as UKEGS President and Dr Andrew Tatham who is based in Edinburgh has become President-elect.
Ms Amerasinghe, who specialises in glaucoma and cataract surgery, is the first female UKEGS President. As a Key Opinion Leader in glaucoma Ms Amerasinghe looks forward to fostering greater learning amongst eye-care specialists. She said “It's a particular pleasure to take over as President of UKEGS as Glaucoma UK celebrates its 50th year. I am looking forward to continuing our joint legacy of excellence in the care of our patients, and collaboration with peers in the UK and worldwide. I'm also extremely proud to be the organisation's first female president, and excited about the way our organisation is evolving. We have already started planning this year’s conference which I am delighted to announce will be in Southampton, at the National Oceanographic Centre on 9 and 10 October.”
Her research projects have included a large study looking into the heritability of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma which was a joint project with the Singapore National Eye Centre and London Institute of Ophthalmology. She is the author of the British Medical Journal Best Practice Guide to Open Angle Glaucoma.
UKEGS, which forms part of Glaucoma UK, is a non-profit national scientific society. It aims to promote the exchange of knowledge between glaucoma specialists, stimulate glaucoma research and protect the interests of people living with glaucoma, or at risk of developing the disease.
Glaucoma UK’s Chief Executive, Joanne Creighton said, “As we approach the charity’s 50th anniversary, we are thrilled to welcome Nishani and Andrew as President and President-elect of UKEGS. Our vision is to see an end to avoidable sight loss from glaucoma. UKEGS plays an important role in achieving that important aim by bringing glaucoma specialists together to share their knowledge and expertise. By working together, we can make a difference to the lives of people living with glaucoma.”
