My passions

Technology! I have always loved technology and was an avid computer games player in my youth. I was glad to read recent research showing that surgeons with a history of playing computer games make fewer mistakes and operate more efficiently on average than those who do not have experience with computer games. It seems that computer games can improve hand eye coordination which is a vital skill required for eye surgery. Many modern medical training programmes use computer simulated surgery to prepare young surgeons to operate and refine their skills. It makes me feel that my youthful hours were not as misspent as my parents had always suggested!

It was inevitable that I would be involved in a profession that involved technology. I like to keep a keen eye on the latest technology with a view to how it can be applied to diagnose and treat eye disease.

Travel

I love seeing the world, meeting different people and experiencing new cultures. Before entering medical school I backpacked around the world and have travelled regularly throughout my life, having worked in the UK, USA, New Zealand and Australia. I am planning to show my daughter more of the world as she gets a little older. In recent years I have had the privilege of being involved with charitable programmes and travelling to less developed countries such as Papua New Guinea and Cambodia to perform eye surgery and assist in training the local eye surgeons.

Keeping fit

Fitness is important in my profession to manage the intense working hours and stress levels and it keeps me on top of my game. I have a strong interest in fitness and nutrition which started when I joined a cycling group and found that I was always lagging at the back of the group. That really prompted me to get fit and take an active interest in nutrition.

Keeping focused

My wife and I have a young family, a young daughter and two dogs. They are my top priority outside of work and I spend as much time as I can with them. I see on a daily basis how important family and personal support networks are through my work, and they ensure I keep my feet firmly on the ground.

Keeping in touch

My wife and I are movie buffs and love to watch films from all genres ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to independent foreign art house productions.

Click here to read more.