MBBS MD(Cantab.) FRCOphth FRANZCO
Biography:
Hemal Mehta is an expert in the fields of medical retina and cataract surgery with extensive experience in general adult ophthalmology.
Qualifications
After reading medicine at Cambridge University in England, Hemal Mehta carried out his clinical training at University College London. He completed 7 years of training in the London School of Ophthalmology with 3 of these years at the world-famous Moorfields Eye Hospital with rotations in all major ophthalmology subspecialties. He completed an 18-month medical retina fellowship at Sydney Eye Hospital building strong research links in Australia. He was previously an Ophthalmology Consultant at the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust specialising in medical retina and cataract surgery as well as leading the retinal clinical trials unit.
Medical Retina
Hemal Mehta is highly experienced in the diagnosis and management of retinal conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinal vein occlusions. He is on the International Steering Committee of the Fight Retinal Blindness! group that aims to record real-world outcomes of intravitreal therapy to improve standards of care. He has published extensively on the management of retinal disease providing original data and also critically appraising evidence via the Cochrane Eye and Vision Group. He was awarded the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Ethicon Award for work streamlining diabetic retinopathy screening in the Northern Territory.
Cataract Surgery
Hemal Mehta is an experienced cataract surgeon having performed thousands of operations. He is familiar with monofocal, toric, enhanced depth of focus, trifocal and duet intraocular lenses and so can discuss the full range of options available to patients undergoing cataract surgery.
Comprehensive Adult Ophthalmology
Hemal Mehta has experience dealing with a wide range of ophthalmology presentations with commonly performed procedures including intravitreal injections, cataract surgery, retinal laser, glaucoma laser therapy, YAG laser capsulotomy, blepharitis treatment and surgery for eyelid lumps.
Teaching
Hemal Mehta has lectured on the University College London Masters Course in Ophthalmology and Royal College of Ophthalmologists Seminar on Retinal Imaging. He supports extended skills training for local optometrists. He has taught on common ophthalmology presentations for GPs at the Royal College of Physicians. He has helped the Macular Society develop educational material for patients and carers.
Research
Hemal Mehta is at the forefront of retinal research globally. As principal investigator, he recruited the first patient in Europe to the PANOPTICA study, the first eyedrop for wet age-related macular degeneration to show promise in early phase clinical trials. His higher research degree titled “Novel endpoints in diabetic retinopathy clinical trials” is registered at Cambridge University. He has academic affiliations with University College London and Sydney University. He has been involved in designing and conducting clinical trials of new longer lasting intravitreal injection therapies that will soon be available to the public.