Mr. Manoj Mathai - Laser Eye Surgeon
Ophthalmologist, CertLRS, MBBS, DO, MS, FRCS (Edinburgh)

Mr Manoj Mathai helped establish Visualase Laser Eye Clinic in 2001. He played a key role in building the business into the successful clinic we see today.

After graduating from Kasturba Medical College in India in 1987, he commenced further training in the UK in 1992 and was awarded the Fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh in 1995.

Mr Mathai returned to India in 2003, to set up a laser eye surgery unit in Manipal Hospital, Bangalore, but re-joined Visualase in 2009.

Mr Mathai is a full time consultant with the NHS and undertakes a number of other eye-related procedures:

• Refractive lens exchange in the NHS
• Cataract extraction by phacoemulsification
• Glaucoma surgery
• Eyelid surgery

When asked why he thought it was important for patients to have a pre-laser eye surgery consultation with their surgeon, Manoj replied: “I never forget that we are treating a person and not just their eyes. Meeting clients in person gives me the chance to understand their true needs and offer them the option that best meets their expectations.”

The most rewarding part of the job for Manoj is being able to make a difference to people's lives by giving them independence from spectacles and contact lenses.

Mr Mathai also works as a consultant ophthalmologist for the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Trust, where he recently helped to restore sight to a 106 year old patient. Read more here.

When not treating people’s eyes Manoj relaxes with music; and if he hadn’t specialised in eyes, he would have made use of his creative energy to write books or make movies.

In this video Mr Mathai talks about the aspects of laser eye surgery:

Mr Mathai's Top Eye Care Tips

Make time to rest your eyes.

Our modern lives are centred on visual gadgets like the television, computers and mobile phones.  We place far more demands on our eyes than earlier generations. It is important to rest eyes amidst our busy schedules. Listen to music or go for a walk instead.

Qualifications: MBBS, DO, MS, FRCS (Edinburgh)

• Mr Mathai continues his professional development by keeping up to date with the rapid advances in refractive surgery techniques and equipment.
• He regularly attends seminars and conferences held by the Societies he is a member of, in particular RCO and UKISCRS.

Published Papers:

Mr Mathai published a paper in the prestigious American journal 'Ophthalmology' on the 'Relationship of corneal thickness and measured corneal intraocular pressure in a general ophthalmology clinic' in 1999.

Presentations:

Mr Mathai presented the results of his experience with the Carl Zeiss MEL 80 Excimer laser, at the All India Ophthalmic Conference in 2009. He has conducted several educational and information seminars on the benefits of refractive laser surgery.

Professional Memberships:

• RCO - Royal College of Ophthalmologists
• UKISCRS - UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
• BSRS - British Society of Refractive Surgeons
• ESCRS - European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons.

Patient Comments:

Please find below a selection of comments from Mr Mathai's laser eye surgery patients in:

2020

• "After a couple of check ups I finally had the procedure done in January 2020. I was quite scared but the nurses and Dr. Mathai made me feel at ease and I came out thinking, wow that wasnt bad at all. The procedure isnt painful at all, your eyes just feel uncomfortable after."

2019

• "I am writing this to you without glasses. I am over the moon with my new vision courtesy of Mr Mathai. I didn’t see the difference initially until my brain became accustomed to the new monovision but now it’s a whole new world! I have not needed to use glasses at all and I am seeing like I did years ago so I would be happy for you to share the recommendation to anyone who is maybe a little hesitant at what you can actually achieve. It’s without doubt the best money I have ever invested. 

  Mr Mathai explained what I could expect before the procedure and to be honest, he undersold the benefits. At the time of surgery he explained what I would hear and experience in detail so during a frightening time I knew what to expect which made the procedure very easy. I cannot fault the aftercare as nothing has ever been too much trouble so I truly feel that using Visualase was the right choice. I look forward to seeing you for my final check-up."

• "Information and approach and I was reassured by Mr Mathai."

• "Mr Mathai made me feel at ease on my consultation (no pressure to choose Visualase) and also on the day of my surgery as well. It’s great to be glasses free. Thank you all so much."

• "Mr Mathai was brilliant, calming, thorough, professional, caring and obviously very good at what he does."
• "I Googled Mr Mathai and was reassured that he worked in the NHS. All my follow up appointments have been very thorough. Excellent. I’m very happy."
• "Excellent care, explanation and treatment. Very happy with all aspects of my treatment."
• "Mr Mathai made me feel at ease and was very reassuring. I felt confident in him completing the procedure."
• "Mr Mathai was brilliant from start to finish. I have recommended the surgery by Visualase to multiple people who have given laser eye surgery thought. Thank you so much, it really has changed my life."
• "Nothing was too much trouble."
• "He was very professional and answered all my questions and was reassuring."
• "Can’t fault a thing."
• "Brilliant doctor."
• "My vision is now crystal clear. What more can I say?"
• "Lovely member of staff. Excellent result."
• "Mr Mathai was efficient and polite."
• "Thank you."
• "Mr Mathai identified a possible problem with my eyes and I was referred to the local hospital eye department for further tests for signs of glaucoma. He was very professional and fully explained what my possible issue was when he could have ignored it, but didn’t. I would recommend him to anyone considering laser eye surgery."
• "Superb experience from start to finish."
• "Lovely man, so calm. Explained everything in detail and makes you feel at ease. A gentleman. Thank you."
• "I think Mr Mathai is very friendly and professional. He is clear in his findings and I am very happy to have had this treatment and I was very nervous patient."
• "Very professional and informative, explained all my options in full and advised which treatment would suite me best. "
• "I was made to feel very relaxed about the procedure and was informed clearly about what would happen and how my recovery would be, I would definitely recommend Mr Mathai and your clinic to others."
• "Doctor was very good. Gave good advice. He was friendly and put me at ease."
• "Mr Mathai was very reassuring before, during and after my procedure."
• "He’s a very nice gentleman and put me at ease all the way through the consultation and treatment. Thank you."
• "Mr Mathai was brilliant, calming, thorough, professional, caring and obviously very good at what he does."
• "Simply thank you."
• "Lovely man and I have complete confidence in his skills."

 2018

• "Mr Mathai explained all of the information with regards to my treatment type, the nature of the equipment used during surgery, potential risks related to my treatment and the effects of my eye medication after surgery all very clearly and concisely. He was also a very polite individual and I would definitely recommend him to future patients."
• "Mr Mathai made the process very easy and I was very confident that I had chosen the right consultant. Highly recommended."
• "He has super care, made all the information very clear and easy to understand. I would definitely recommend him to my friends. "
• "He was extremely helpful when I explained some right eye discomfort. The speed and accuracy of his care was fantastic. Thank you."
• "Made me very relaxed – I was quite nervous."
• "His explanation of my treatment and knowledge relayed helped to put me at ease and I knew that I had chosen the right clinic."
• "He made the whole procedure a pleasure."
• "Very pleased. He was very good and reassuring to me."