Why William Ayliffe?

Professor William Ayliffe is one of the most experienced ophthalmologists in the world. Soon after starting Medical School, aged 17, it became apparent that his skills with a microscope and his passion about all things visual were only going to fulfilled as an Eye Surgeon. After a satisfying and demanding apprenticeship with the most famous surgeons in Europe and the U.S.A he returned to the UK as a consultant for the NHS.

After 20 years he became fully private, allowing him to chose and work with the best colleagues, support staff and Nurses whilst enabling access to the latest equipment and a wider choice of treatments to bespoke care towards the patient. He is a comprehensive ophthalmologist and a specialist in cataract, but also is fellowship trained in cornea, uveitis and inflammatory eye diseases.

He has performed many thousands of successful operations to restore sight in and was a pioneer in the field of micro-incision surgery using sub 2mm incisions and the use of realistic iris prosthetic implants for badly damaged eyes.

He also operates for a variety of other blinding conditions, including corneal disease needing transplants, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

For cataract surgery the procedure is tailored to you; the individual. After discussing your life-style you will able to chose the best option for type of lens or combination surgery to suit your needs.

We operate only using the best equipment, superlative designs of intraocular lenses and at locations convenient for you in Central London and Surrey.

Emeritus professor of Physics at Gresham College and formerly honorary Professor at City University. His clinical work is shared between The Lister Hospital Chelsea, St Anthony’s Hospital, North Cheam, Shirley Oaks Hospital Surrey and Harley Street.

Short CV

As well as being a busy practising clinician and teacher, he also continues to carry out clinical research into the prevention of blindness.

After taking a first in Immunology at Imperial College, he qualified in Medicine in St. Bartholomew’s Hospital London. Specialising in inflammatory eye diseases and corneal and cataract surgery he held a research registrar post studying the natural history, classification and treatments for cataract at Oxford University. After several publications and completion of this project he completed training in clinical ophthalmology at Bristol, Manchester and Harvard University, USA.

The Ph.D. thesis was on mechanisms of corneal transplant failure. Prof. Ayliffe has worked in many clinics in emerging economies around the globe, and with ORBIS, the international flying eye hospital.

In addition to general ophthalmology, he has developed a local and tertiary referral service for cornea, uveitis and inflammatory eye disease.