Consultant Optom & Fellow of the College
Registered Specialist (IP & Glaucoma)
FCOptom (Portolio) M.Sc (ACP) Ophthalmology (Ong) M.Sc (Adv. Clinical Optom) Distinction B.Sc (Hons) DipTp (IP) PGDip Refractive & Cataract Surgery Prof DipGlauc Higher Cert Glauc Prof Cert Glauc (Distinction) Prof Cert Med Ret (Distinction)
Speciality: Therapeutics including Supplementary Prescribing, Additional Supply Specialty, Independent Prescribing Specialty, Medical Glaucoma & Ocular Hypertension, Ocular Diagnostics, Medical Retina, Ocular surface disease & Keratoconus, YAG Laser capsulotomy and SLT Laser
Visiting Specialist Lecturer in Glaucoma (University of Plymouth)
Don Williams is a highly skilled and accomplished GOC registered specialist Optom. Don held his NHS post of Glaucoma specialist Optom at Birmingham & Midland Eye Centre (BMEC), Birmingham up until July 2020.
He was recently (Feb 2020) awarded his Fellowship (FCOptom) which is the highest award that can be achieved in his field. There are less than 100 Fellows by examination and portfolio in the UK and Don is proud to be in that elite group of clinicians. Fellowship by examination and portfolio forms less than 1% of registrants. Don was also one of the UK’s top 5 finalists for Optom of the year 2020 an achievement he is immensely proud of. This is judged on clinical skills, innovation, pushing boundaries and ability to inspire others.
He graduated with honours from the Institute of Vision Science at Aston University and then went on to register with the General Optical Council (GOC), the College of Optometrists and also a member of the Association of Optometrists. He was also recently awarded his membership with the American Association of Optometrists.
Don went on to pursue further specialist qualification in Refractive (Laser) and Cataract Surgery. He remained in the field of laser eye surgery for well over 3 years, a role he combined with his hospital work. He then went on to achieve distinction in his higher specialist qualification in both glaucoma and medical retina (Glaucoma & Medical Retina Specialist). Don is also on the General Optical Council’s specialist register in therapeutics.
He completed his specialist Master’s degree (M.Sc) in advanced glaucoma diagnostic detection using the Glaucoma Module Premium Edition software which is one of the most advanced glaucoma software to date and was awarded ‘Distinction’. He has also recently been awarded the ‘Highest specialist professional qualification’ in glaucoma (Professional Dip Glaucoma). He has trained at various institutions including, Aston University, Ulster University, Bradford University, Moorfields and Cardiff University. Don is currently following his 2nd Master of Science degree (M.Sc) in Advanced Clinical Ophthalmology (Plymouth University 2023-2026).
Don has been actively involved in community ophthalmology for well over a decade with the last 5 years spent within the Birmingham CCG managing glaucoma patients. Aside from running his private practice, Don has recently taken up the post of Clinical Lead for a very successful healthcare provider (NHS) that runs community Ophthalmology in Birmingham. Don is now also a Specialist visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Health Science, University of Plymouth, a role he is very passionate about. He lectures at post graduate level (Masters) in the field of glaucoma. He was also part of the complex glaucoma team at BMEC (City Hospital).
Away from clinical practice, you will find him at the gym or walking around South Cornwall but now mostly in the beautiful fields of Worcestershire where he currently resides.
Fellowship (FCOptom) Fellowship of the College is a prestigious award and an acknowledgment of commitment to the profession, experience and accomplishments. FCOptom is the College’s highest award and recognise clinicians of the highest standing.
M.Sc: ‘New approaches to diagnostic imaging in glaucoma’-Distinction (Aston Uni, July 2019)
GOC Registered Specialities: Supplementary Prescribing, Additional Supply Speciality & Independent Prescribing Speciality
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