Mr Farhan Zaidi

I completed my training as a specialist registrar including sub-speciality Fellowships in oculoplastic surgery and in medical retina. I am also trained in cataract surgery, general and emergency ophthalmology.

My first substantive consultant appointment was in London in cataract, oculoplastic surgery and medical retina after which I was appointed as a substantive consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Southampton including to lead the large Eye Emergency department. I have been clinical lead for SW London diabetic eye retinopathy screening service since 2017 responsible for over 80,000 patients. In 2024 I became National Clinical Safety Officer for the principle retinal screening platform in the UK, Eire and New Zealand NEC Optomize, over 2 million patients.

I have performed many thousands of operations, including over a thousand cataract procedures, alongside a large number of oculoplastic and other ophthalmic surgeries. I am recognised by the Royal College of Ophthalmologists through the National Ophthalmology Database Audit and, in 2023–2024, I am recorded as having performed 412 cataract operations within one year. In addition, I currently undertake more than 200 routine oculoplastic procedures annually. I also perform both emergency and routine general eye operations, including laser treatments and intravitreal injections for retinal disease, and provide senior clinical oversight for these procedures.

Outside my private practice, I regularly supervise and train junior surgeons at a major teaching hospital. I am a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. I have published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences in these fields.

I am experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon with over 14 years consultant experience. I qualified in London with Honours from UCL Medical School and did my postgraduate training in surgery then specialising in ophthalmology at London teaching hospitals. I am a recognised specialist in ophthalmology on the UK Specialist Register. I trained at major internationally recognised teaching hospitals including Moorfields in London. My training included a high degree of proficiency in cataract surgery, emergency and general ophthalmology including routine glaucoma. In addition I undertook advanced training in the fields of oculoplastic surgery and medical retina competing year long Fellowships in each.

As a substantive consultant I was appointed in cataract surgery, oculoplastic surgery and medical retina in London where I continue to practice in these fields, and then as a consultant ophthalmic surgeon in Southampton including to lead the Eye Emergency department. I am a Fellow of both the Royal College of Surgeons and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. In addition to the UK Certificate of Completion of Training in Ophthalmology I hold a PhD in the field. 

I am a consultant ophthalmologist member of the executive committee of the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS) since 2025. This is the professional body setting national standards and promoting best clinical practice in the treatment of emergency and urgent eye conditions in the UK. I have also been a member of the scientific research committee of BEECS since 2023.

I lead the Eye Emergency at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest in the UK, 50,000 annual patient contacts (15,000 face to face). Since 2017 I have been Clinical Lead for SWL diabetic eye screening programme responsible for the diabetic eye care of over 80,000 patients. In 2024 I progressed to became National Clinical Safety Officer for the leading retinal screening platform in the NHS used for over 2 million patients in the UK, Eire and New Zealand. I am very proud that my Team was given an award for clinical leadership while I have been the Consultant Lead. In 2025 I received a long service award from my NHS employer. I am Editor and a contributor t the Southampton Eye Emergency Manual.

In addition to doing charity work in the UK and in developing countries I have served for two terms on the UK committee of a United Nations-recognised medical NGO as Director of Research then as Director of Professional Affairs. In 2026 I returned to serve as Director of International Relations and Affairs and have been asked to serve as a Trustee.

I have extensive PhD research experience - publication producing hundreds of citations with international collaboration between the UK and US - Imperial, City, Oxford, Harvard and Johns Hopkins Universities. This was study of retinal ganglion cells (including vision) in cataract, retina, orbit/plastic, glaucoma patients. I am Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at the University of Southampton in recognition of my contribution to selection and training of medical students and as an official supervisor for several medical students who have done Bachelor in Medical Science degrees leading to work published and presented internationally. One of these students received best prize in his category. I also serve as an examiner for the University.