Harminder Dua

Harminder Singh Dua has been Chair and Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Nottingham, where he is Head of Academic Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, since 1994 and Consultant Ophthalmologist at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. He is also Honorary Professor at the Universita della Svizze, Lugano and the Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Cairo. Specialising in corneal transplantation and ocular surface diseases, Professor Dua’s research and innovations — not least the discovery of a new corneal layer (Dua’s Layer) — have changed clinical practice worldwide. Professor Dua has previously led successful ophthalmology tours to Brazil, Argentina, and south and north India.

His previous notable appointments include President of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (2011-14); President of EVER and EVERF (2010-14 and 2016-21, respectively); President of EuCornea (2011-13); Chairman of the International Council of Ophthalmology’s Advisory Committee (2016-18), and Editor-in-Chief of both the British Journal of Ophthalmology (2007-14) and Journal of EuCornea (2015-20).

Dua has received more than 175 awards and accolades, including 40 eponymous and award lectures and an NHS Parliamentary Lifetime Achievement award. In 2019, he was made a CBE for his services to eye healthcare, health education and ophthalmology. Dua has over 450 peer-reviewed publications, supervised 55 Ph.D./MPhil students, and received honorary life membership of four international academic societies. One eponymous lecture, ‘The Dua Lecture’ in Birmingham, and ‘The Dua Seminar Room’ in Nottingham have been named after him. He is also a member of the prestigious ‘invite only’ American Ophtalmological Society and Academia Ophthalmologica Internationalis.