Mr David Bessant is a Consultant Ophthalmologist with over two decades of experience in cataract surgery and medical retina. He currently practises at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, where he was appointed Consultant in Cataract and Medical Retina services in 2003. In 2012, he was selected as Moorfields’ Clinical Director for Northwest London, overseeing Moorfields Eye Clinics at Northwick Park, Ealing, and Potters Bar Hospitals.

Mr Bessant graduated with First Class Honours from the University of St Andrews before transferring to Manchester Medical School, where he completed his MBChB with Honours. He gained Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) in 1992, achieving the highest mark nationally and receiving the Brian Harcourt Medal.

He began his ophthalmology training at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and later undertook higher surgical training at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. His training spanned all six core subspecialties, including glaucoma, cornea, paediatrics, oculoplastics, medical retina, and surgical retina. He went on to complete a three-year Fellowship in Cataract and Medical Retina at Moorfields, developing advanced skills in the medical and surgical management of retinal disease and cataracts.

Mr Bessant is a leading expert in phacoemulsification cataract surgery and has significant experience using toric lenses for astigmatism correction and multifocal or extended depth of focus lens implants to minimise post-surgical reliance on glasses.

His medical retina expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusion, macular drusen, epiretinal membranes, and inherited retinal dystrophies. Diagnostic techniques may include optical coherence tomography (OCT), and treatments can involve laser photocoagulation and intravitreal injections.

In addition to his subspecialist work, Mr Bessant manages general ophthalmology cases including red or painful eyes, dry eye syndrome, blepharitis, and unexplained vision loss. He also performs minor surgical procedures on chalazia and eyelid cysts.

Mr Bessant has a strong academic background. He completed a Clinical Research Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, focusing on inherited eye disorders. His work led to the discovery of a new gene (NRL) associated with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, published in Nature Genetics, and earned him an MD from the University of London.

With over 30 published scientific papers, book chapters, and peer-reviewed articles, Mr Bessant is also committed to medical education. He has taught for over 15 years as an MRCP Clinical Lecturer and trains ophthalmic surgeons, hospital physicians, GPs, and optometrists.

Mr Bessant is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a member of the British Medical Association. He is known for his patient-centred approach, clinical excellence, and leadership within ophthalmology in the UK.

• Phacoemulsification cataract surgery including toric (astigmatism correcting) and multifocal (trifocal) lens implants to reduce the need for spectacles after surgery
• Retinal disorders (including diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vein occlusions and inherited retinal dystrophies).
• General Ophthalmology (including painful eyes, red eyes, dry eyes, blepharitis and unexplained visual loss)

• Royal College of Opthalmologists (RCOphth)