MIS 2025 Confirmed Speakers

Professor Tariq Aslam is a Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in Medical Retinal disease at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and a Professor of Ophthalmology and Interface Technologies at the University of Manchester.

Mrs. Yvonne D'Souza is a Consultant Ophthalmologist and an Associate Medical Director at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Specialising in Medical Retina, with a focus on diabetic eye disease.

Ms Chhabra, a Consultant Ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital since 2016, specialises in Medical Retina and inflammatory eye diseases. She leads the Medical Retina and Macular Services, combining clinical care with research and training.

Miss Maino, a Consultant Ophthalmologist, specialises in adult and paediatric ocular motility disorders, including double vision, strabismus, and abnormal head posture. She has a special interest in treating acquired eye movement and perception issues caused by trauma, stroke, or cancer treatment.

Marta Ugarte is a consultant ophthalmologist specialising in medical retina and uveitis, with a strong background in clinical and research ophthalmology, including a DPhil from Oxford and specialist training in London, Manchester, and South Thames. She is actively involved in research on retinal physiology and disease, has published extensively, and holds leadership roles in ophthalmology education and clinical informatics at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and the University of Manchester.

​Miss Anne Fiona Spencer, former Consultant Ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, was appointed in 1998 and specialised in glaucoma and adult cataract surgery. She played key leadership roles within the Trust and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, with strong interests in service development and multidisciplinary teams. Now retired, she is celebrated for her contributions to ophthalmology and was awarded Honorary Fellowships by both the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the College of Optometrists.

Dr Tom Julian is an Ophthalmology Resident (ST4) and MRC Clinical Research Training Fellowship PhD student. Based within the Division of Evolution, Infection and Genomics (EIGen) and the Centre for Computational Imaging and Modelling in Medicine (CIMiM), his research explores the use of artificial intelligence to predict systemic diseases—such as heart attacks, stroke, and dementia—through retinal imaging. His work focuses on harnessing this non-invasive technology to deliver health screening tools in community settings.

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His presentation, titled “Beyond Vision: Can We Deliver Health Checks on the High Street Using Retinal Imaging?”, will explore how this innovative approach could transform preventative healthcare and broaden access to early diagnosis.

Gareth O'Dwyer is a medical retina clinical fellow at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He completed his medical ophthalmology training in Ireland. Gareth has a special interest in inherited retinal diseases, having completed an undergraduate degree in Genetics and a PhD in viral gene therapy for Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Luke Carine is a dedicated professional with over a decade of experience in the Ophthalmic Imaging & Diagnostics department at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Known for his expertise and commitment to achieving the highest standard of Ophthalmic Imaging,

Luke has played a pivotal role in supporting innovative changes and solutions to the departmental workflow and service delivery. His work reflects a passion for precision and a deep understanding of Ophthalmic and Vision Science. 

Darren Hargreaves, Research Ophthalmic

Science Practitioner at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, has over 28 years of experience in Ophthalmic Imaging, witnessing transformative advances in diagnostics.

Manchester is one of only two global sites studying retinal cells with adaptive optics. Darren collaborates with clinicians and researchers to provide cutting-edge

imaging for research studies and trials.