Professor Williamson studied medicine at Glasgow University Medical School, qualifying in l984 with Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). He subsequently proceeded to train in ophthalmology in Aberdeen, Cambridge, Glasgow and London specialising in vitreoretinal disorders from 1995 to the present day.
He is a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist with a full time vitreoretinal sub-specialist practice at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London. He has extensive experience in managing patients with disorders of the retina and the vitreous, and performs all types of retinal surgery (with the largest international single surgeon dataset of over 14,000 operations), including new innovative techniques. In addition to this, Professor Williamson also has extensive experience in managing patients with a wide variety of other conditions, including cataracts. For full details of the conditions which Professor Williamson specialises in, please see the Conditions Treated section of this website. For new dry eye and blepharitis treatments see www.expertdryeyeclinic.co.uk.
Professor Williamson is extensively involved in the training and teaching of future generations of ophthalmic surgeons and has trained approximately 40 vitreoretinal fellows as part of a highly sought after, international fellowship programme at St Thomas’ Hospital, London. Many of these fellows have gone on to be appointed Consultant Vitreoretinal Surgeons either in the United Kingdom or abroad.
As a Visiting Professor in Biological Sciences and Engineering at the University of Surrey, and a Clinical Lecturer at Kings College London, Professor Williamson also has a strong track record of research and development in the area of retinal disease. He has produced over 247 publications as books, book chapters and papers in national and international scientific journals. A list of all Professor Williamson’s publications is available here. In 2007 he was one of three Consultant Ophthalmologists who founded the Eyehope charity which aims to continue supporting research, teaching and training in diseases of the eye.
Professor Williamson has also written the highly acclaimed Vitreoretinal Surgery textbook which is now in the 3rd edition – this book is widely considered to be the preferred surgical manual for vitreoretinal surgeons internationally. In addition, he has also written an instructional textbook entitled Intraocular Surgery – A Basic Surgical Guide which is designed to provide trainee ophthalmic surgeons with guidance in the basic methodology required to undertake intraocular surgery. His book is Vitreoretinal Disorders in Primary Care is intended to guide those at the front line how diagnose and refer these complex patients. This book draws on his extensive experience as an expert witness. He is currently providing on line courses through www.medsalesacademy.co.uk.
In 2016, Professor Williamson was elected President of the British and Eire Vitreoretinal Society (BEAVRS).
