Professor Bertil Damato
MD, PhD, FRCOphth
- 535 publications
- H-index 63
- 14,644 citations
Professional Title
Consultant Ophthalmologist & Ocular Oncologist
Years of Experience
Over 40 years specialising in ocular oncology
Key Specialisms
- Ocular oncology
- Uveal and choroidal melanoma
- Iris and ciliary body melanoma
- Conjunctival melanoma and other ocular surface tumours
- Choroidal naevi and indeterminate melanocytic lesions
- Retinoblastoma
- Ocular metastases
- Intraocular lymphoma
- Ocular tumour biopsy and genetic analysis
- Personalised prognostication in uveal melanoma
- Eye-conserving treatment of ocular tumours
- Specialist ocular mole monitoring
Credentials & Memberships
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
- Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow
- PhD, University of Glasgow
- MD, University of Malta
- Honorary Member, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Honorary Member, European Ophthalmic Oncology Group
- Former President, International Society of Ocular Oncology
- Former President, European Ophthalmic Oncology Group
- Former President, European Vision and Eye Research
Areas of Expertise
Ocular Tumour Diagnosis & Monitoring
- Assessment of suspected ocular tumours
- Specialist ocular mole monitoring
- Choroidal naevi
- Indeterminate melanocytic choroidal lesions
- Multimodal imaging of ocular tumours
- Long-term monitoring of suspicious lesions
- Ocular tumour biopsy
- Genetic and cytogenetic tumour analysis
Uveal Melanoma
- Choroidal melanoma
- Ciliary body melanoma
- Iris melanoma
- Personalised prognostication
- Assessment of metastatic risk
- Treatment planning and surveillance
- Management of recurrent or previously treated tumours
Other Ocular Tumours
- Conjunctival melanoma
- Conjunctival carcinoma and other ocular-surface tumours
- Retinoblastoma
- Ocular metastases
- Intraocular lymphoma
- Rare intraocular tumours
Specialist Treatment Expertise
- Plaque brachytherapy
- Proton beam radiotherapy
- Local tumour resection
- Trans-scleral resection
- Endoresection
- Eye-conserving approaches to ocular tumours
- Management of complex and previously treated ocular tumours
Bio Summary
Professor Bertil Damato is an internationally recognised Consultant Ophthalmologist specialising in ocular oncology, the specialist diagnosis and treatment of tumours affecting the eye and ocular surface.
He has practised almost exclusively in ocular oncology since 1984 and brings more than four decades of experience in the assessment and management of both common and rare eye tumours. His principal areas of expertise include uveal melanoma, including choroidal, ciliary body and iris melanoma, as well as conjunctival melanoma, retinoblastoma, ocular metastases, intraocular lymphoma and other complex ocular tumours.
Professor Damato graduated in medicine from the University of Malta before undertaking his specialist ophthalmic and surgical training in Glasgow. He subsequently held senior clinical and academic positions in Glasgow, Liverpool, San Francisco and Oxford and continues to hold appointments in London, Stockholm, Sheffield, Liverpool and the United States.
In 1993, Professor Damato established the Ocular Oncology Service at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital. He directed the service for 20 years, developing an internationally recognised programme for the diagnosis, treatment and study of eye cancer.
Professor Damato joined The Retina Clinic London in 2026 to lead its new Ocular Oncology Service, bringing highly specialised eye cancer expertise into an independent private clinic setting and establishing a dedicated pathway for the assessment, diagnosis and ongoing monitoring of ocular tumours, including specialist ocular mole monitoring.
His clinical philosophy centres on accurate diagnosis, careful assessment of each tumour and clear communication with patients. Where appropriate, treatment planning seeks to balance effective tumour control with preservation of the eye and as much useful vision as possible.
At The Retina Clinic London, Professor Damato’s expertise is supported by detailed diagnostic assessment, advanced ocular imaging and close collaboration between specialists, providing patients with a highly personalised approach from initial assessment through to ongoing monitoring and treatment planning.
Research & Innovation
Professor Damato has made substantial contributions to the diagnosis, treatment and prognostication of ocular tumours, with a particular focus on uveal melanoma.
A major theme of his research has been the development of more personalised methods for understanding how an individual tumour may behave. Working with multidisciplinary colleagues, he contributed to the use of tumour genetics and biopsy information to improve estimates of metastatic risk following treatment for uveal melanoma.
He helped develop the Liverpool Uveal Melanoma Prognosticator Online, or LUMPO, which combines clinical, pathological and genetic information to provide more individualised estimates of prognosis.
Professor Damato also invented the MOLES scoring system, a structured method for assessing melanocytic choroidal tumours. The system considers five clinical features to help estimate the likelihood that a pigmented lesion at the back of the eye may be malignant and whether specialist referral, monitoring or treatment should be considered.
His innovations also include developments in local tumour resection, endoresection, proton beam radiotherapy, ruthenium plaque brachytherapy, ocular tumour biopsy and visual-field testing.
Throughout his research, Professor Damato has maintained a strong interest not only in tumour control and survival but also in vision, quality of life, communication and the psychological impact of ocular cancer.
Professional Leadership
Professor Damato has held a number of senior roles within national and international ophthalmology organisations, including:
- President, International Society of Ocular Oncology
- Vice-President, International Society of Ocular Oncology
- President, European Ophthalmic Oncology Group
- Honorary Secretary, European Ophthalmic Oncology Group
- President, European Vision and Eye Research
- Chair, Membership Committee, International Society of Ocular Oncology
- Chair, Programme Committee, American Association of Ophthalmic Oncologists and Pathologists
- Regional Representative for Global Alliances, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- Examiner, Royal College of Surgeons of England
Through these roles, Professor Damato has contributed to international collaboration, specialist education, research and the development of standards in ocular oncology.
Selected Honours & Awards
- 2025 - Honorary Membership Award, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- 2024 - Stallard Medal, International Society of Ocular Oncology
- 2024 - Honorary Membership, European Ophthalmic Oncology Group
- 2023 - European Vision and Eye Research Foundation Fellowship Award
- 2018 - Award of Excellence, A Cure in Sight
- 2016 - Vision of Hope Award, Cure OM
- 2015 - Achievement Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- 2012 - Jerry Shields Award, Asia-Pacific Society of Ocular Oncology and Pathology
- 2012 - Ashton Medal, Royal College of Surgeons
- 2012 - Watson Medal, Cambridge Ophthalmological Symposium
- 2009 - Honorary Fellowship, College of Optometrists
- 2009 - Platinum Clinical Excellence Award, NHS England
- 2008 - Sam and Dora Cohen Gold Medal, University of the Witwatersrand
- 2006 - Bjerrum Medal, Danish Ophthalmological Society
Publications
Professor Damato has an extensive international research record spanning ocular oncology, uveal melanoma, tumour genetics, prognostication, radiotherapy, eye-conserving surgery and patient outcomes.
His academic curriculum vitae separately records 349 original scientific works, alongside numerous review articles, book chapters, textbooks and other scholarly contributions.
His work has appeared in leading international ophthalmic and oncology journals and has contributed to clinical guidelines, international consensus work and the continuing development of ocular-oncology practice.