He specialises in retinal (vitreoretinal) surgery, including the treatment of retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, vitreomacular traction and complications of diabetic eye disease. He also has extensive expertise in cataract surgery, from routine procedures to complex and high-risk cases.

Over the course of his career, Mr EA has performed many thousands of cataract, and thousands of vireoretinal procedures.

He continues to perform a high volume of retinal surgery across both NHS and private practice. He operates using modern small-gauge (23, 25 and 27-gauge) keyhole vitrectomy techniques, which are designed to minimise surgical trauma and support recovery.

Mr El-Ashry is committed to delivery high quality evidence-based ophthalmic care and regularly reviews his clinical outcomes as part of ongoing professional practice. He believes in providing patients with clear information, realistic expectations and personalised treatment plans, enabling them to make informed decisions about their eye health and treatment

What he treats

Retinal surgery

• Retinal detachment (keyhole vitrectomy and conventional buckle techniques)
• Macular hole
• Epiretinal membrane
• Vitreomacular traction
• Dropped lens fragments
• Intraocular foreign bodies
• Vitrectomy for troublesome floaters

Cataract & lens surgery

Mr El-Ashry performs routine, complex and high-risk cataract surgery, including management of complications from previous surgery.

He offers a range of premium intraocular lens options, including:

• Toric lenses for astigmatism
• Multifocal lenses
• Extended-depth-of-focus lenses

He also performs refractive lens exchange and has particular expertise in intraocular lens (IOL) exchange procedures and secondary lens implantation where there is limited or no capsular support. Techniques include Sulcoflex, Artisan, Carlevale and scleral-fixated lenses.

Medical retina

• Age-related macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal vein occlusion

Treatments include anti-VEGF injection therapy and steroid implants, including Ozurdex and Iluvien.

Ocular trauma

Mr El-Ashry has a special interest in penetrating eye injuries and orbital trauma, developed through extensive experience in trauma reconstruction. He co-founded and convened the Scottish Conference on Ocular Trauma at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

Training & research pedigree

Mr El-Ashry trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital and completed research at University College London, earning an MD for his work on genetic eye diseases. He has published widely in leading ophthalmology journals and presented his research at major international conferences.

After specialist training and advanced vitreoretinal fellowships across the UK, he was appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist at Great Western Hospital, where he leads the vitreoretinal service. He previously served as Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology, helping to expand services, introduce new technologies and develop specialist training programmes.

Training the next generation

Mr El-Ashry is an Examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and plays an active role in the training and assessment of future consultant ophthalmologists.

For more than six years, he led postgraduate ophthalmic education at the University of Bristol's Academy of Ophthalmology. He holds a Certificate in Teaching and Learning for Health Professionals from the University of Bristol and secured funding to introduce teaching microscopes and simulation-based surgical training within his department.

He is passionate about education and is committed to maintaining high standards in surgical training and patient care.

What my patients say

"Thank you for giving me my sight back. I cannot put into words what that means."

"From the first consultation to the day of surgery, I felt safe, listened to and never rushed."

"Your kindness and skill have made such a difference. Our whole family is so grateful."

Beyond medicine

Outside the operating theatre, Mr El-Ashry enjoys a range of sporting activities, including squash, swimming, tennis, cross-country running and karate. He founded a hospital squash team in Swindon comprising doctors, nurses and technicians, and continues to value the discipline, teamwork and continual improvement that sport brings.

• EURETINA
• American Academy of Ophthalmology
• British Medical Association

Cataract surgery:

• Routine, complex and high-risk cataract surgery as well as dealing with complicated cataract surgery
• Intraocular lens (IOL) replacement surgery and multifocal intraocular lens (IOL) replacement surgery for patients who wish to remove reliance on glasses post cataract surgery

Vitreoretinal surgery:

• Retinal detachment
• Macular hole
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Vitreomacular traction
• Epiretinal membranes

Ocular trauma:

• Penetrating ocular injuries

Medical retina disorders:

• Macular degeneration
• Diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion including Anti-VEGF treatments

• Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• Member of the British Medical Association
• Member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreo-retinal Surgeons