Don was recently awarded the highest specialist qualification in Glaucoma (Professional DipGlaucoma) in his field. According to the register, there are only two clinicians in Birmingham who have managed to achieve this very challenging qualification in Glaucoma. The ceremony for this prestigious qualification took place at Westminster Hall, London which is an amazing venue. Don is seen sitting first to the left, front middle row (yellow gown) close to the staircase to the stage.
This highly specialised qualification in glaucoma, the Prof Diploma in Glaucoma was awarded a few years ago and it is the highest specialist qualification in glaucoma in our field. Tt proved to be a foundation rather than a destination. Since then, Mr Williams has been awarded Fellowship of the College — the College’s highest distinction, held by fewer than 1% of the profession — and became registered and qualified Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Ophthalmology, one of a small number of clinicians in the UK to reach this level of practice.
Advanced Clinical Practice means Mr Williams works at a very high clinical level, independently diagnosing and managing conditions such as glaucoma, prescribing medication as an Independent Prescriber, and performing YAG Laser Capsulotomy and SLT laser procedures — for which he was the first practitioner in the UK to hold Royal College of Ophthalmologists–aligned accreditation in a community setting. He now teaches on the University of Plymouth’s postgraduate glaucoma programmes, training the next generation of glaucoma specialists, and in 2025 was made a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers and of the City of London. He is currently a candidate for Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry and is completing an MA in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Southampton.
For patients, this means glaucoma care at Edgbaston Eye Clinic is delivered by one of the most if not the most highly qualified clinician in Advanced Clinical Practice in Ophthalmology in the UK. Mr Williams is a dual clinical Master’s degree holder and soon would be the holder of 3 Masters degree (treble Master’s degree), a rare achievement by any clinicians in the UK. Mr Don Williams ACP Ophthalmology, Edgbaston Eye Clinic, 38 Harborne Road, Birmingham, B15 3HE