A Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Moorfields Private Hospital consultant has performed his 30,000th refractive laser eye procedure, 36 years after he carried out the first of its kind in the UK.
In 1989, while working as a research fellow at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, Professor David Gartry was the first surgeon in the UK to perform photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia (shortsightedness) using the excimer laser. PRK is a type of surface laser eye surgery which, along with LASIK and LASEK, is now routinely offered to patients throughout the world.
Image: David Gartry performing the very first excimer laser PRK treatment in the UK in November 1989.
On this impressive milestone, Professor Gartry said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to improve patients’ vision and eye health at Moorfields, where I started as a pre-registered optometrist in 1978 and was appointed as a specialist consultant ophthalmic surgeon in 1995. I am thrilled that this mature technology, extensive clinical experience, detailed audit and modern research have enabled us to achieve consistently exceptional clinical outcomes for our patients.”
The patient experience
Dina, the patient who had a very high degree of myopia and received Professor Gartry’s 30,000th refractive laser eye procedure, said: “Even though I had my laser vision correction (LASEK) very recently, in March 2025, and it is still early days for my vision to fully stabilise, I am very happy with the results. For the first time in my adult life, I don’t need to think about whether I have spare contact lenses in my bag. I am looking forward to my summer holidays.”
Refractive laser eye surgery involves precise reshaping of the cornea to very accurately correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism.
Professor Gartry’s doctorate on the development of excimer laser corneal surgery was awarded by London University in 1995 and was one of the first research projects on the procedure worldwide. Over the past 36 years Professor Gartry has continued to be at the forefront of laser, cataract and corneal treatment, education, and research. He has authored numerous scientific papers, book chapters and textbooks.
He has also been recognised with accolades within ophthalmology, including the Honor Award of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, Doctor of Science from Glasgow Caledonian University "In recognition of an outstanding contribution to the science of Ophthalmology", and a Lifetime Fellowship of the College of Optometrists. In 2007 he was entered into "Who's Who".