Professor Philip Bloom

Professional statement

Professor Philip Bloom is a renown ophthalmologist based in London, with over 35 years of experience. His wide range of expertise includes cataract surgery (specialising in spectacle independence), glaucoma surgery, laser treatment for glaucoma, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, treatment of advanced glaucoma and patient-centred glaucoma care.
 
Professor Bloom first graduated with MB ChB from the University of Bristol in 1984. He then went on to receive an FRCS(Ed) from the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and an FRCOphth from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in 1990. He completed his postgraduate training at Bristol Eye Hospital, the Western Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital.
 
Professor Bloom currently practices privately at the Platinum Medical Centre at the Wellington Hospital, the Hillingdon Hospital Consulting Rooms and the Bishops Wood Hospital. He is also a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon at the Western Eye Hospital, part of Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, where he was previously Clinical Director.
 
Professor Bloom is dedicated to medical research, with a significant focus on glaucoma and cataract surgery; his specific research interests include minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (including cyclophotocoagulation), neuroprotection, surgical simulation/training, and spectacle independence after cataract surgery. His research has resulted in well over 100 peer-reviewed research papers, articles in scientific journals, books and other academic materials.

In addition to his clinical work and research, Professor Bloom has extensive experience in medical education. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at Imperial College School of Medicine, Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer at University College London (UCL) and Associate Professor at Plymouth University School of Medicine & Dentistry.

He has a high profile within his profession. He is the immediate past Chairman of the charity Glaucoma UK (2017-22, formerly IGA, the International Glaucoma Association) and past President of the UK & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons (UKISCRS, 2018-20). He was a Trustee and Board Member of the Royal Society of Medicine (RSM, 2017-21), and past President of the RSM Ophthalmology Section (2012-14). He is currently a Keeler Scholarship Board Trustee (Royal College of Ophthalmologists), council member of the UKISCRS, course leader for Plymouth University’s Post-Graduate Diploma in Ophthalmology and a surgical tutor & microsurgical skills faculty member at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

In addition to his many qualifications, Professor Bloom's career has been recognised by numerous other significant achievements and markers of peer esteem. He received the Keeler Scholarship from the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (1994 -1995) and was awarded the Muthusamy Gold Medal by the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh) in 1990. In April 2020 he was made a Fellow in Glaucoma Surgery (FGS) in the Founding FGS class of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery (ISGS), only the second individual globally to do so at the 'Distinguished' level. In 2021 he was appointed Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.