UK surgeon performs 30,000th laser eye procedure

Thirty-six years after performing a first-of-its-kind refractive laser eye procedure in the UK, Professor David Gartry, MD, FRCS, FRCOphth, FCOptom, has recently performed his 30,000^th laser eye procedure.¹ Gartry is a consultant at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Moorfields Private Hospital.

David Gartry performing the very first excimer laser PRK treatment in the UK in November 1989. Image courtesy of Moorfields.

Prof Gartry holds a balloon to celebrate his milestone: performing 30,000 laser eye procedures. Image courtesy of Moorfields.

As a research fellow at St. Thomas’ Hospital in London in 1989, Prof Gartry was the first surgeon in the United Kingdom to use an excimer laser to perform photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) for myopia. PRK, along with LASIK and LASEK, is a surface laser eye surgery now routinely offered to patients worldwide. PRK, LASIK and LASEK all require the reshaping of the cornea to correct short-sightedness, long-sightedness and astigmatism.

The patient behind the 30,000^th refractive laser eye procedure

The patient involved in Prof Gartry’s milestone procedure, identified as “Dina,” was documented to have a high degree of myopia. Dina received the procedure in March 2025, saying although it is still a bit early for their vision to fully stabilise, both she and her care team are 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,” Dina said in a press release. “I am looking forward to my summer holidays.”

The surgeon behind the major refractive surgery achievement

Gartry received his doctorate on the development of excimer laser corneal surgery in 1995 from London University. His 36-year career has included authoring numerous scientific papers, book chapters and textbooks, and he has remained at the forefront of education and research for laser, cataract and corneal treatments.

“It’s an honour and a privilege to be able to improve patients’ vision and eye health at Moorfields,” Gartry said in the press release.

Prof Gartry and his colleagues at Moorfields Private Eye Hospital celebrated the significant moment in his career. Image courtesy of Moorfields.

Reference

Pioneering professor performs 30,000th laser eye procedure - Moorfields Private. Moorfields.nhs.uk. Published 2025. Accessed April 10, 2025. https://www.moorfields.nhs.uk/private/about-moorfields-private/news/pioneering-professor-performs-30-000th-laser-eye-procedure