Mr Richard Stead

A first-class degree from UMIST in Optometry, finishing top of the year (1998), led to a greater interest in the treatment of eye conditions and spurred me on to leaving a career in Optometry and committing to training in medicine. Throughout my training at the University of Leicester (2005), I was always focussed on Ophthalmology, winning the Keeler prize and finishing in the top three of the prestigious national Duke Elder Award before undertaking an elective at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. I completed my specialist training at The Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, quickly gaining my fellowship to the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2012). A fellowship in glaucoma at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre followed in 2014. In 2015 I gained a substantive consultant post as a Glaucoma specialist at the Queens Medical Centre joining the team providing tertiary glaucoma care for the East Midlands. My area of expertise includes trabeculectomy, Preserflo and tube surgery as well as the more contemporary minimally invasive glaucoma surgery which I introduced to the region in 2017. I have extensive experience in treating glaucoma with selective laser trabeculoplasty and cyclodiode laser. Along with the management of Glaucoma, I am an accomplished cataract surgeon and general Ophthalmologist. Cataract surgery is a fantastic operation that can really alter a person’s life. It is a privilege to be able to perform such a life changing operation. I also love the continuity of care offered-as Glaucoma is a chronic, ongoing condition I have patients whom I have been seeing for years. I am a friendly consultant able to explain the best course of management available for your condition. I pride myself on being open and honest. Patient feedback rates my communication skills most highly, fully able to adapt to the needs of the patient and those around them. I have been working as a consultant ophthalmologist at Queens Medical Centre since 2015 and am currently the lead for the glaucoma service. I am a hugely experienced surgeon specialising in both cataract and glaucoma surgery. My previous Optometry degree gives me an all-round knowledge. I also have an interest in systems safety. I have been the morbidity and mortality lead at QMC for ophthalmology for the last 5 years and have also recently taken on the role of governance lead for the department. As part of this role I help to investigate critical incidents and put in plans to prevent them from recurring.It is vital that the needs of my patient come first. I pride myself on formulating the right treatment pathway for the individual patient. Doing what is right at the right time for the person is paramount. I always try and be punctual and use plain English to ensure everyone understands the plan and can contribute as we go.

Glaucoma Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) Cataract Surgery YAG