Moorfields retina specialist honoured with top award

An honorary consultant at UCL partner hospital Moorfields has just been awarded a top prize in recognition of his contributions to ophthalmology.

Professor Alan Bird will receive the 2008 Laureate Recognition Award in November from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons.

Professor Bird is one of the world's leading experts on the treatment of retinal vascular disease and genetic and degenerative retinal disorders, and has spent the majority of his career at Moorfields and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology.

He has published numerous papers, and his research into genetics and degenerative disorders has contributed to important breakthroughs in the understanding of retinal disease such as retinal dystrophies and age-related macular disease.

He also spent time in Africa researching river blindness, and has played a key role in the design and evaluation of numerous clinical trials involving groundbreaking treatments in retinal disease today.

Although Professor Bird is retired from full-time clinical practice, he continues his research and teaching as an honorary consultant at Moorfields and as Emeritus Professor at UCL.