Mr Andre Grixti

Practising at

Spire Fylde Coast Hospital

Treatment information

Some of the principal treatments carried out by Mr Andre Grixti at Spire include:

Ophthalmology

• Brow lift surgery
• Cataract removal surgery
• Eyelid cyst surgery
• Eyelid surgery or eyebag removal (blepharoplasty)
• Refractive lens exchange surgery

Other treatments

Professional profile

I specialise in the field of ophthalmology with clinical expertise in the treatment of eyelid disorders, corneal and ocular surface diseases in particular patients with severe blepharitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic eye disorders, corneal infections, keratoconus and other ectatic corneal disorders and endothelial disease.

I have recently been awarded the highly regarded Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery (CertLRS) which is an accreditation achieved through completing a rigorous examination process by the Royal College of ophthalmologists in the field of cataract and laser refractive surgery.

I have particular interest in complex cataract surgery, advanced corneal transplantation techniques such as DALK, DMEK and DSAEK, as well as the correction of various oculoplastic disorders such as lid surgery for facial palsy, brow lift, upper lid blepharoplasty, ectropion, entropion, eyelid skin grafts and in particular ptosis correction using a novel minimally invasive posterior approach known as white line advancement.

I am currently a full-time dual-specialty Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Trust with specialist interest in Cataract, Cornea and External Eye Disease and Oculoplastic Disorders.

My main areas of interest include modern lamellar keratoplasties (DALK, DMEK and DSAEK), keratoconus and other ectatic corneal diseases, endothelial disorders, ocular surface diseases, cataract and eyelid surgery. 

To date I have performed over 800 cataract surgeries including implantation of toric intraocular lenses to correct astigmatism, over 400 eyelid procedures and well over 100 corneal transplants. In particular I have recently introduced the more modern Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) which may be combined with cataract surgery in Blackpool Teaching Hospital for the treatment of endothelial disease especially Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or pseudophakic bullous keratopathy providing a faster visual rehabilitation to patients with less risk of corneal graft rejection.

I graduated from the University of Malta before moving to the UK where I completed my Ophthalmology training in Merseyside. I undertook two Cornea fellowships at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the Royal Liverpool Hospital as well as an Oculoplastic fellowship at Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, a specialist referral centre for complex Oculoplastic care.

During my training I had the opportunity to publish my work in several peer-reviewed journals and was awarded three prizes at the North of England Ophthalmological Society's annual conferences.

Qualification and professional memberships

MD / University of Malta / 2006
Doctor of Medicine and Surgery
MD (equivalent to MBBS) is a degree given to physicians at the basis of their medical training in the EU.

CertLRS / England / 2019
Certificate in Laser Refractive Surgery (CertLRS)

Professional memberships

Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) since 2015
Fellow of the European Board of Ophthalmologists (FEBO) since 2014

Current NHS posts

Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

Research and Publication

I have contributed as a reviewer to various medical journals over the years including the British Journal of Ophthalmology, American Journal of Ophthalmology, BMJ Open Ophthalmology and the European Journal of Ophthalmology.

Articles

Most relevant research articles published in peer-reviewed eye journals: 'Twenty years of limbal epithelial therapy: an update on managing limbal stem cell deficiency' BMJ Open Ophthalmology 2018; 'Oral mucosa grafting in periorbital reconstruction.' Orbit. 2018; 'Functional and aesthetic outcomes of eyelid skin grafting in facial nerve palsy.' British Journal of Ophthalmology. 2018; 'Corneal protection during general anaesthesia for non-ocular surgery.' Ocular Surface. 2012; 'Ocular Surface Disorders in Patients in Intensive Care Units.' Ocular Surface 2012

Personal Profile

I enjoy spending my spare time by keeping myself active at the gym and regularly travel abroad to discover new places. I also enjoy swimming in open sea and gardening.

Private contact details