Professor William Ayliffe

Consultant Ophthalmologist | Lead for Uveitis Service | Specialist in Inflammatory Eye Disease, Cataract Surgery, Pterygium, Anterior Segment & Glaucoma

Professor William Ayliffe is a world-renowned Consultant Ophthalmologist with over three decades of expertise in complex eye diseases. At The Retina Clinic London, he leads our specialist Uveitis Service, providing expert assessment and treatment for inflammatory conditions such as uveitis, retinal vasculitis, and immune-mediated ocular disease.

Professor Ayliffe is also internationally recognised for his surgical excellence in cataract surgery, with particular expertise in high-risk cases and micro-incision techniques. His contributions to modern cataract surgery are widely published, and he is a sought-after authority in this field. In addition, he provides advanced surgical management of pterygium, using refined techniques to reduce recurrence and achieve optimal visual results.

His clinical interests extend to anterior segment disease, glaucoma, and microsurgical reconstruction, including the use of advanced implants for severely damaged eyes.

Professor Ayliffe’s academic achievements reflect his deep scientific foundations. He graduated with First Class Honours in Immunology from Imperial College London before completing medical training at St Bartholomew’s Hospital. His postgraduate training included leading centres in Manchester, Bristol, Oxford, and Harvard University’s Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. His PhD focused on corneal transplant rejection, underpinning his internationally recognised expertise in ocular immunology and anterior segment disorders.

On returning to the UK, Professor Ayliffe established a tertiary referral service for inflammatory eye diseases at Croydon University NHS Trust. He has also worked extensively as a volunteer surgeon and teacher in developing countries, including with ORBIS, the international flying eye hospital.

At The Retina Clinic London, Professor Ayliffe combines his expertise with state-of-the-art diagnostic technology to deliver personalised, evidence-based care. His leadership ensures that patients with uveitis, cataracts, pterygium, glaucoma, and complex anterior segment disease receive the highest standard of care in a supportive, world-class environment.

A distinguished educator, Professor Ayliffe is Emeritus Professor of Physic at Gresham College and formerly Honorary Professor of Vision Science at City University London. He lectures internationally at leading scientific institutions and regularly contributes to national media on eye health.

Professor Ayliffe continues collaborative research with Professor Paulo Stanga at The Retina Clinic London, focusing on preventing blindness and advancing treatments for complex ocular disease.