Professor Paulo E Stanga

Practising at

Spire Manchester Hospital

Treatment information

Some of the principal treatments carried out by Professor Paulo E Stanga at Spire include:

Ophthalmology

• Age-related macular degeneration treatment

Other treatments

Professional profile

I have worked in Ophthalmology for over 26 years and I am currently a Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon for the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. I am also Professor of Ophthalmology and Retinal Regeneration for the University of Manchester.

I specialise in vitreo-retinal disorders that require either medical or surgical treatment, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy, retinal vein occlusions, macular hole, retinal detachment, paediatric retinal diseases, genetic or inherited diseases, ocular trauma and cataract surgery and the management of its complications. My current research interests are in the vitreo-retinal imaging, pharmacological, surgical and laser treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema, laser-tissue interaction, choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration and myopia, hypersonic vitrectomy surgery, gene therapy and electronic retinal implants for artificial vision or "bionic eye". I have significantly contributed towards the field of Retinal Imaging, retinal laser techniques and the development of new technologies for vitrectomy surgery such as hypersonic vitrectomy. I run a joint diabetic eye service with Professor New. This ensures that patients get the best treatments both for their diabetic eye disease, and their diabetes. This joint approach ensures the best outcomes for people with diabetes.

Since 1993 I have worked in the development and application of new outpatient and surgical therapies and technologies such as retrobulbar Interferon alpha-2a, genetics of AMD, retinal pigment epithelium translocation surgery, macular translocation surgery, micropulse diode and Pascal® laser photocoagulation, optical coherence tomography (OCT), wide-angle fundus fluorescein angiography and fundus autofluorescence technology (Optos), antiangiogenic intravitreal drugs and hypersonic vitrectomy surgical systems. I introduced, amongst others, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) into the clinical setting in the UK (1998), Pascal® Laser system and retinal treatment strategies into the EU (2006) and based on personally led imaging and clinical research on it and I have also pioneered Swept-Source OCT, having introduced it into the EU (2012) and Optos Wide-Field imaging and Optos-guided tissue-sparing laser treatment strategies. In 1998, I introduced Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging into the clinical setting in the UK. This technology has proved to be a game changer in the diagnosis and treatment of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration, macular hole, diabetic retinopathy and all maculopathies. It is now an indispensable and everyday use examination tool in Ophthalmology.

My research on Artificial Vision has been highlighted as a significant achievement by the University of Manchester and the NHS Central Manchester Foundation Trust and listed as an important research landmark in the rich research heritage of the city of Manchester by the Manchester European City of Science 2016 Committee. My research is also one of only two highlighted on the current national NIHR brochure. I have set-up and I am the Principal Investigator (PI) for a Manchester-only Pilot Study of the Argus II electronic retinal Implant or Bionic Eye system in Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) since 2009. I have also already successfully carried out the first ever implantation of an electronic retinal implant in AMD, which has resulted in the first ever 5 human beings with integrated artificial (central) and natural (peripheral) vision. I am MREH Principal Investigator for a gene therapy trial in Choroideremia.

In 2006, I also introduced into the EU the new retinal laser photocoagulation system Pattern Scan Laser (Pascal) and since then I have been developing new retinal laser photocoagulation techniques/strategies for the treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy such as, sub-threshold or imaging guided laser. As a result of the research that I lead, the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital and the University of Manchester are now one of the world leaders in these fields.

I have chaired several international meetings, amongst others and in Manchester: The British and Eire Vitreoretinal Association (BEAVRS) Annual Meeting in 2004 and the Tubingen Retinal Detachment Course and Manchester Retina Course in 2009. In 2014, I chaired the Imaging Day during the MREH Bicentenary celebrations as well as the Retina Day and the Retinal Imaging Symposium and during the Annual Meeting of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. As a marker of my International standing, it can be mentioned that by invitation of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, I have also chaired its annual meeting as a yearly speaker since 2012. I have also chaired the Retinal Imaging day symposium during its annual meeting and the Retina day meeting since 2007. I am involved in the Undergraduate/Postgraduate Teaching of Medical, PhD and Optometry Students, Nurses, Orthoptists, Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences MSc. I am Accredited Trust Educational Supervisor providing clinical and surgical training for F2, SpR and VR Fellow at any given time and lectures to the GP and Optometric community. I am a frequently Invited Speaker at national and international meetings representing the MREH, MVR Lab/NIHR Wellcome Trust Manchester CRF and the University of Manchester.

I have also set up and run a Retina Research Fellowship Program. Some of my accolades include: Award for Outstanding Contribution to Ophthalmology in Singapore (Singapore, 2006), Award in Appreciation for Support and Far Reaching Contributions at the NGH Eye Institute (Singapore, 2008), American Academy of Ophthalmology Achievement Award (USA, 2011), Outstanding Personality in Science by the City Council (Legislatura Portena) of the city of Buenos Aires (Argentina, 2012), Award for Outstanding Contribution to Retinology in Poland (Krakow, 2014).

Media Coverage

Bionic eye implant world first
July 2015

Manchester professor conducts world’s first bionic eye implant
July 2015

World first: Bionic eyes to let blind people in Manchester see again
February 2015

UK Bionic Eye trial starts for dry AMD patients

Qualification and professional memberships

Professional memberships

British Medical Association
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
America Academy of Ophthalmologists
Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology
American Society of Retinal Specialists
British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons

Professional leadership

Director of the Manchester Vision Regeneration (MVR) Lab at NIHR/Wellcome Trust Manchester CRF and its Clinical, Surgical and Research Fellowship Program. The MVR Lab team focuses on developing research and therapies using the most advanced diagnostic and treatment devices.
Former President of the Ophthalmic Imaging Association
Member of the Scientific Committee of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Former Chair of the MREH Research Steering Committee
I am the lead Retinal Laser Committee and I am the Laser Safety Officer for the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Current NHS posts

Consultant Ophthalmologist and Vitreoretinal Surgeon, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital

Professor of Ophthalmology and Retinal Regeneration, The University of Manchester

Director of the Manchester Vision Regeneration (MVR) Lab at NIHR/Wellcome Trust Manchester CRF and Retinal Clinical-Research Fellowship Program

MREH Lead for the Retinal Laser Service

MREH and University of Manchester Laser Safety Representative

Personal Profile

I live in the Cheshire countryside and I enjoy country pursuits.

Financial Interests

Owns 100% of the OCT equipment used at Spire Manchester Hospital.

Private contact details