Mr Richard Haynes

Professional statement

Mr Richard Haynes is a highly experienced consultant ophthalmic surgeon, practising in Bristol. He specialises in treatment for a wide range of conditions, including cataract, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, eye floaters, retinal detachment and diabetic retinopathy. He also has a particular interest and is a leading national expert on eye reconstruction following trauma and managing complex retinal detachment problems such as postoperative macular folds.
 
Mr Haynes started his ophthalmic specialist training in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary in 1993, and in 1995 was admitted as a fellow of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists of London (FRCOphth). He was then appointed as clinical lecturer & specialist registrar at Queens Medical Centre Nottingham where he also undertook a research higher degree (MD) and was awarded the esteemed Oxford Ophthalmic Congress Founders Cup two years in succession for this research.

In 2000 he was awarded The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Keeler Scholarship and underwent advanced sub-speciality training in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, following which he was appointed as Consultant in Vitreoretinal Surgery at Bristol Eye Hospital.

With a dedicated focus on research, He has over 50 peer reviewed publications. He served as the chief investigator for an international multi-centre controlled trial on genetic factors that predispose patients to infection, and is the principal investigator for three other ongoing multi-centre randomised controlled trials, including most recently a trial on gene therapy for macular degeneration.
 
Furthermore, Mr Haynes actively contributes to surgical training, having held positions as the Royal College tutor and Rregional advisor. He has personally mentored 34 vitreoretinal fellows who have gone on to become vitreoretinal consultants globally. Additionally, he established the UK’s inaugural vitreoretinal surgical simulation course for fellows, which he ran for the British & Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
 
From 2016 to 2019, Mr Haynes served as the Clinical Director of Bristol Eye Hospital and has led the vitreoretinal service since 2012. In testament to his expertise, in 2018 he was elected as lead for professional standards for the British & Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons and in recognition of his professional excellence was honoured with a National Clinical Excellence Award in the same year.