Consultant interview - Miss Eleni Nikita

Nikita, Eleni

Miss Eleni Nikita is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon specialising in glaucoma and cataract treatment at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Moorfields Private Hospital.

She is an honorary lecturer at the University of Manchester and an examiner at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and at the University College London.

What are your areas of expertise?

My key specialities are cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment including minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, conventional glaucoma surgery (trabeculectomy and aqueous shunt implantation) and laser glaucoma procedures such as cyclodiode, selective laser trabeculoplasty and laser iridotomy. I also treat patients with blepharitis, dry eyes and eye floaters.

Why do patients come to see you?

Patients come to see me usually to ask for a second opinion, when they either have just been diagnosed with glaucoma and would like to confirm the diagnosis and management or when they have complex, progressing glaucoma and would like to be informed on treatment options. Currently there is an abundance of information on laser and new surgical techniques for glaucoma in the media and patients need to understand whether they would be applicable to their condition.

They also come to the private clinic to have an assessment when they feel that cataract is developing, as this type of surgery can be more complex in the presence of glaucoma or previous glaucoma surgery.

What are your research interests?

My research interests are focused on the glaucoma surgical outcomes. I have been actively involved in the development of novel schemes for glaucoma management in the community, patient eligibility for virtual glaucoma clinics, and I have an ongoing role in the education and training of doctors and other health professionals.

As a member and Education Committee Co-chair for the European Glaucoma Society, I aim to support the European Glaucoma Society in the development of successful collaborations between ophthalmologists and academics in Europe to promote innovation, education and the delivery of a consistent, evidence-based, and top-quality care across the diverse healthcare systems in Europe.