Professor Rupert Bourne
- 212 publications
- 150+ conferences
- 173902 citations
Professional Title
Consultant Ophthalmologist — Glaucoma Specialist and Surgeon, The Retina Clinic London
Years of Experience
20+
Credentials & Memberships
- Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Honorary Fellow of The College of Optometrists
- Faculty European Glaucoma Society
- Faculty World Glaucoma Association
- Member of ARVO (the Association for Research in Vision & Ophthalmology)
Bio Summary
Professor Rupert Bourne is The Retina Clinic London’s glaucoma specialist and surgeon. From your very first appointment, his two decades of subspecialist experience shape every step of care, from precise diagnosis and risk stratification to individually tailored treatment and long-term monitoring. His leadership background and academic work are embedded in how we look after patients at TRCL, ensuring you benefit from the latest thinking, rigorous protocols and access to research where appropriate.
Role at The Retina Clinic London
Professor Bourne provides dedicated glaucoma care at TRCL, including advanced diagnostics, laser treatments and glaucoma surgery, alongside high-precision cataract surgery when needed. He works closely with our imaging and clinical research teams so that complex decision-making is informed by high-resolution data and, when suitable, by participation in clinical studies.
Expertise and background
An internationally recognised glaucoma expert, Professor Bourne trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital and completed two glaucoma fellowships, at Moorfields and at the Shiley Eye Center/Hamilton Glaucoma Center in San Diego. He previously served as Glaucoma Lead at Cambridge University Hospitals, where he founded and directed the Cambridge Eye Research Centre. He is Professor of Ophthalmology at the Vision and Eye Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and continues to lead major UK and global initiatives in eye health.
Clinical focus
- Comprehensive glaucoma assessment, early detection and progression monitoring
- Laser and surgical glaucoma treatments, selected to suit individual risk and lifestyle
- Cataract surgery with meticulous planning for optimum visual outcomes
Research-active care
Professor Bourne has a strong research portfolio in objective glaucoma diagnostics, progression analysis and models of community-based care. This informs TRCL’s pathways from the outset, helping us deliver timely intervention, clear communication and continuity with the surgeon who knows your eyes best.
Career Highlights
- National Specialty Lead for the NIHR Ophthalmology Clinical Research Network (appointed November 2015), overseeing England’s commercial and non-commercial portfolio.
- Coordinator of the Vision Loss Expert Group for the Global Burden of Disease Study (since 2007); appointed Principal Collaborator in November 2024; contributor to the IAPB Vision Atlas.
- Member of the WHO Technical Advisory Group on implementation of the Eye Care Package Interventions (since 2020).
- Director and founder of the Cambridge Eye Research Centre at Addenbrooke’s (2018–2025), expanding from 2 to 26 active studies by 2020.
- Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Glaucoma Service Lead, Cambridge University Hospitals (2018–2025).
- Established specialist glaucoma services at Hinchingbrooke/North West Anglia and at Bedford as a Moorfields satellite, introducing EPRs and risk-stratified pathways.
- Dual glaucoma fellowships at UC San Diego (Hamilton Glaucoma Center) and at Moorfields (ASTO).
- Professor of Ophthalmology, Vision & Eye Research Institute, Anglia Ruskin University (appointed 2007), leading glaucoma trials and postgraduate supervision.
- Eastern Region NIHR leadership roles, including Specialty Group Lead and set-up of the Cambridge Eye Research Centre in 2018.
Areas of Expertise
- Glaucoma care (medical, laser and surgical)
- Cataract surgery
- Angle-closure glaucoma and complex glaucoma pathways
- Secondary and uveitic glaucomas
- Paediatric glaucoma
- Ophthalmic epidemiology and global eye health
- Clinical trials leadership in ophthalmology (with a focus on glaucoma)