Mr. Omar Rafiq

Consultant Ophthalmologist

MBChB FRCOphth CCT (UK) PGD (Cat&Ref Surgery)

I am a substantive (Fellowship Trained) Consultant Ophthalmologist born and trained in the United Kingdom from very prestigious Eye Institutes under the auspices of world renowned eye experts. I am an independent and very capable ophthalmic surgeon specialising in small incision (phacoemulsification) cataract surgery and advanced glaucoma surgery including MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery). I am fully trained in dealing with all aspects of glaucoma from a medical, laser and surgical perspective. I am a substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist working at the world renowned Moorfields Eye Hospital in Abu Dhabi (UAE) - full time for 6 months from March 2023 till September 2023 and now converted to a Visiting Consultant on a monthly basis.

I also work with a number of private providers undertaking high volume cataract surgery in the Yorkshire and North West regions.

I have a keen interest in medicolegal work and have completed the Bond Solon course Excellence in Report Writing in March 2024.

Prior to this I was a substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist working at Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust where I was also the Glaucoma Clinical Lead and an Educational & Clinical Supervisor. Prior to this I was working in the UAE at a private hospital at Al Zahra Hospital Sharjah, UAE since August 2016 till May 2020. Here I was instrumental in modernising the service leading with introducing novel aspects of MIGS to the UAE as a whole and I was a regular speaker/presenter in the entire region. Previous to this I was a substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Rotherham Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. I was the Clinical Effectiveness & Audit Lead as well as an Educational Supervisor at my hospital. I have audited my surgical results and have a very low complication rate in cataract surgery which is very favourable compared to national standards as well as demonstrating excellent post operative results which well exceed the Royal College of Ophthalmologists high standards.

I have completed all my training from very reputable and excellent organisations within the NHS in the UK and have been exposed to all aspects of ophthalmology to a great level. I possess my Certificate of Completion of Training (CCT) and am on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register for Ophthalmology. I have also undertaken an advanced fellowship post CCT in glaucoma and complex cataracts at the Western Eye Hospital, London under the auspices of Professor Philip Bloom. I am recognised within the institutions that I work to be a highly trained and competent Ophthalmologist who is very focused on providing the absolute highest standard of care to his patients whilst exhibiting a high degree of professionalism, courtesy and dedication.

I have undertaken the University Of Ulster Postgraduate Diploma In Cataract and Refractive Surgery for 1 year achieving a Distinction. This has enhanced my clinical acumen and knowledge to a very high level and will allow me to provide a very high level of care in terms of differing refractive procedures.

I have a multitude of patient feedback and testimonials including patients who wrote in to the press to express their appreciation in my professional, kind and gentle manner in the way I treat them.

I have presented at both Regional, National and International meetings on 66 occasions and also have had my book chapter published in the United Kingdom, reflective of my presentation skills and the fact that I constantly strive to keep myself up-to-date and aware of the most recent advances in the world of Ophthalmology. I am regularly invited to Chair and present at prestigious meetings which I feel is due to my good standing and high reputation in Ophthalmology.

I have an acute insight to how service development works and the differing facets that need to function well to ensure that our service is delivering an efficient yet excellent patient service. It has enabled me to see the differing challenges that are needed to be met to meet the demands of an ever changing modern health service and the adaptability and flexibility that is required on all parts to ensure the safe and excellent provision of patient care.

I have presented at a multitude of meetings both national and international on a frequent basis. I have had my book chapter in Ophthalmology published in the UK and also am on the Editorial Board for the International Journal of Ophthalmology Research (IJOR).

I have a big interest in Clinical Governance and have completed a Yorkshire Deanery Clinical Governance course. This has helped further my understanding of important aspects and how this directly relates to improving the day to day service that we provide to our patients.

I was privileged to serve as a Windsor Fellow. This 2 year programme enabled me to have a secondment for 8 weeks directly with the Department of Health - looking at NHS guidance and service improvement frameworks - a valuable insight into how to ensure service improvement and efficiency.

I have been privileged to serve as a Special Constable Police Officer for South Yorkshire Police 2000-2005. A wonderful experience in which I encountered situations from acute emergencies to issues such as community policing. Through this I developed my communication and body language skills.

I see my job as a great privilege and treat every patient or colleague with a great deal of care and sensitivity and I feel this is reflected in my standing within the department as an excellent team player and someone who everyone will turn to for advice. I feel I have the tenacity to utilise these skills in my day to day clinical practice to ensure an excellent professional working relationship with colleagues and patients alike.

I am passionate about protecting the most vulnerable in society and to this effect I have been the youngest Director for the NSPCC at a regional level between 1998-2000. I collaborated with different organisations to plan and execute strategies to empower and protect young people.

I was the President of Thomas Rotherham College - and in my tenure left the Presidency in excellent shape. This was carried out by ensuring that there was a bridge of communication and cohesion between staff and pupils.

I have served as an Independent Custody Visitor for South Yorkshire Police. This important role ensured that people in custody have their rights adhered to and due diligence is undertaken in relation to their care.

Clinical Training

• Pre-Registration House Officer (F1)
  3/8/5 – 1/8/6 Rotherham District Hospital/Northern General Hospital
• Clinical Training – F2/SHO
  2/8/6 – 31/7/7 Rotherham General Hospital
• 1/1/8 – 5/8/8 OPHTHALMOLOGY ST1 FTSTA Scarborough General Hospital
• 6/8/8 – Aug 2014 Ophthalmology Run through training Yorkshire Deanery
• Aug 2014 – Jan 2015 TSC ST7 Glaucoma Royal Hallamshire Hospital Sheffield and Huddersfield/Halifax NHS Trust
• Feb 2015 – July 2015 Glaucoma Fellow Western Eye Hospital/Hillingdon NHS Trust London Prof Philip Bloom
• August 2015 - Locum Consultant Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust
• Sept 2015 - August 2016 Substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist Rotherham Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• August 2016 - May 2020 Substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist Al Zahra Hospital Sharjah, UAE
• Aug 2020 – Sept 2022 Substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist Calderdale & Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
• Mar 2023 – September 2023 - Substantive Consultant Ophthalmologist Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi (UAE)
• Sep 2023 - present - Visiting Consultant Ophthalmologist Moorfields Eye Hospital Abu Dhabi (UAE)

Interests

I am very interested in sport and actively play football, and am also a Black-Tag martial artist in Tae-Kwon Do. I have also played cricket for my school team every year and to this effect won the Player of the Year award in 1997.