Alan C. BirdEmeritus Professor

Dr. Bird is one of the world's experts on the treatment of retinal vascular disease and genetic and degenerative retinal disorders. His research has contributed to important breakthroughs in the understanding of retinal disease such as retinal dystrophies and age-related macular disease.Dr. Bird earned his medical degree from Guy’s Hospital Medical School. After a fellowship at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, he was appointed to the Institute of Ophthalmology of the University of London. At Moorfields Eye Hospital, he established a specialized clinical service for retinal disease, where he formed a multidisciplinary team to research age-related macular disease and monogenic retinal disorders.In addition to his work in London, Dr. Bird spent time in Africa undertaking research into river blindness. His work there led to the finding that retinal and optic nerve disease was the main cause of blindness from the disease rather than corneal scarring, leading to a new standard of treatment. He has also worked in Jamaica studying sickle cell retinopathy.Although retired from full-time clinical practice, he continues his research and teaching at Moorfields Eye Hospital.