About Us

About Christopher Liu

''This amazing man treated me and I have met him a few times. A wonderful, talented man with great empathy for his patients. It you are lucky enough to meet him you will be in the best hands.''

Background & Experience

Born in Hong Kong to a medical family, Christopher studied for O and A levels in England and went on to train at the Charing Cross Hospital, University of London, graduating with BScHons and obtaining his MBBS qualification in 1985. Christopher then specialized in ophthalmology, training at Charing Cross, Western Ophthalmic, and Moorfields Eye Hospitals. He completed higher ophthalmic surgical training at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge and West Norwich Hospital and is a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists.

Professor Liu is renowned for his interest in OOKP (osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis) surgery, a revolutionary form of artificial corneal implant for patients with end-stage corneal blindness.  OOKP was originally being practised only in Italy by Professor Giancarlo Falcinelli. Christopher learnt Italian and then spent frequent periods in Rome between ‘93 and ‘96 studying the technique which uses one of the patient’s own teeth to create the corneal implant.  Christopher’s work came to the nation’s attention in 2004 with UK media coverage of a very successful OOKP operation on a 42 year old woman from Teeside.  Judith Smith, who had been blind for 15 years prior to the surgery, was overwhelmed with joy at seeing her grandchildren’s faces for the very first time.  (Link to www.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3576152.stm)

Christopher has established a centre of excellence for OOKP surgery at The Sussex Eye Hospital in Brighton, serving the UK and beyond, where he leads a multi-disciplinary team for which he has secured central government funding.  He has travelled widely to raise awareness of and teach OOKP surgery, with Visiting Professorships across the globe: Kinki University Medical School in Osaka, Japan and the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Delhi, India.  He has received the Spanish ‘Member of Merit’ award from the Barraquer Institute in Barcelona and is a visiting Senior Consultant to the Singapore National Eye Centre.

Professor Liu has a national and international profile for cataract surgery, having taken on particularly challenging cases such as patients with small pupil cataracts, iris defects and loose zonules with excellent clinical outcomes. He has published research into risk stratification for safe cataract surgery and has pioneered safe techniques for operating on cataracts in both eyes in one theatre slot, minimizing risk of infection. 

An experienced laser and lens refractive surgeon, Professor Liu uses both LASIK and surface treatment procedures (such as PRK).  He was President of the British Society for Refractive Surgery (BSRS) from 2005 to 2008 and was President of the Medical Contact Lens & Ocular Surface Association from 1998 to 2000.  He also specializes in the treatment of corneal and external eye disease and in looking after patients with glaucoma.  

Widely published, with over 200 academic papers, Christopher has been the Research Lead in Ophthalmology at Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust and is Honorary Clinical Professor at Brighton & Sussex Medical School.  

Christopher lives in Hove with his wife Vivienne, who is a trained ophthalmic technician and the Practice Manager at Tongdean Eye Clinic, together with their three young children. Christopher is a passionate supporter of the local community and the arts. 

About Tongdean

Here at Tongdean Eye Clinic, we pride ourselves on an extremely high level of patient care. Professor Christopher Liu, our consultant ophthalmic surgeon and director, has been in private practice in Hove for over eighteen years. We specialise in difficult cases of cataract surgery, dry eye, blepharitis, corneal diseases and surgery including modern lamellar corneal transplantation, refractive surgery, keratoprostheses (artificial corneae) and glaucoma, but we also provide comprehensive ophthalmology care. Tongdean Eye Clinic is very well equipped and has free parking on level ground. Christopher is a multi-award winning consultant, and leads a national team at the Sussex Eye Hospital, Brighton.

If possible, we would like to have a referral letter from your GP or optometrist (optician) before you come for your consultation or second opinion. We look forward to welcoming you!