Mr Kam Balaggan BSc (Hons), MBBS, FRCOphth, PhD

MULTIPLE AWARD-WINNING EXPERIENCED CONSULTANT OPHTHALMOLOGIST SPECIALISING IN CATARACT & VITREORETINAL SURGERY IN MIDLANDS

I trained extensively at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, universally regarded as one of the World’s top Eye Hospitals. I am Director of the Vitreoretinal Service at Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Eye Infirmary. I have over 20 years specialist experience in Ophthalmology and have performed approximately 6000 cataract and retinal procedures. I am referred the most complex cataract and vitreoretinal surgical patients from other ophthalmic surgeons. I have an extensive track record in research and teaching and am regularly invited to lecture as a guest speaker nationally and internationally. I have particular interests in cataract surgery with premium multifocal and astigmatism-correcting lens implants, complex cataract surgery, and surgery for treatment of floaters.

Professional Memberships

$United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons - UKISCRS$

British & Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons - BEAVRS

$European Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons - ESCRS$

European Society of Retinal Specialists - EURETINA

$American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery - ASCRS$

The Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology - ARVO

Artistic representation of cararacts from the front

Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside your eyes. In today’s active lifestyles you shouldn’t have to wait for months before you have cataracts removed. You may have already been told you have cataracts but your vision isn’t ‘bad’ enough to have surgery. The reality is that these statements are true only within the NHS system.

The reality is that you don’t need to wait for cataracts to ‘ripen’ particularly if you finding it difficult to drive at night because of haloes and glare. Private cataract surgery offers many advantages over NHS surgery. First of all, you won’t have to wait. Secondly, you’ll be treated by me from beginning to end. Cataract surgery will allow you to do the things you used to enjoy. Why wait to regain your quality of life?

Restore your vision in 7 days

Artistic representation of premium intraocular lens

Premium IOLs

Why resort to just having basic single-vision IOLs which only provide good vision for one distance? Standard, single vision IOLs will have you searching for reading glasses whenever you look at your phone, menus or work on a computer. These are the only lens choice available to you under the NHS. If you have significant astigmatism, you will still need spectacles to see clearly for all distances with basic IOLs. There are newer, better options that can provide much more independence from reading glasses. I provide the latest generation of advanced premium IOLs designed to provide more natural vision at multiple distances, they also correct astigmatism. Opt for premium IOLs, the benefits far outweigh the small additional cost!

Learn about Premium IOLs

Cataract Surgery

Artistic represtation of cataracts from the side

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside your eyes. In today’s active lifestyles you shouldn’t have to wait for months before you have cataracts removed. You may have already been told you have cataracts but your vision isn’t ‘bad’ enough to have surgery. The reality is that these statements are true only within the NHS system.

The reality is that you don’t need to wait for cataracts to ‘ripen’ particularly if you finding it difficult to drive at night because of haloes and glare. Private cataract surgery offers many advantages over NHS surgery. First of all, you won’t have to wait. Secondly, you’ll be treated by me from beginning to end. Cataract surgery will allow you to do the things you used to enjoy. Why wait to regain your quality of life?

Restore your vision in 7 days

Premium IOLs

Why resort to just having basic single-vision IOLs which only provide good vision for one distance? Standard, single vision IOLs will have you searching for reading glasses whenever you look at your phone, menus or work on a computer. These are the only lens choice available to you under the NHS. If you have significant astigmatism, you will still need spectacles to see clearly for all distances with basic IOLs. There are newer, better options that can provide much more independence from reading glasses. I provide the latest generation of advanced premium IOLs designed to provide more natural vision at multiple distances, they also correct astigmatism. Opt for premium IOLs, the benefits far outweigh the small additional cost!

Learn about Premium IOLs

Zero % finance options

available in most hospitals

Why Choose Me?

“I am a full time NHS Consultant in Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgery and was extensively trained at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, universally regarded as one of the top hospitals in the World for Ophthalmic training. I am acutely aware of the responsibility my patients place in my surgical skill. That is why I pride myself in doing my utmost to provide a first-class unbeatable service, one which places you at the centre of all decisions made in order to restore your vision and quality of life to their maximum levels. You can rest assured, knowing that you will be looked after by a dedicated and compassionate doctor throughout your entire surgical journey.”

Exceptional training

“One the most highly–trained vitreoretinal surgeons in the Midlands”.

I am one of exceptionally few surgeons that have completed not just two years of prestigious high-volume Fellowships in VR Surgery, but also two years of subspecialist Fellowship training in Medical Retina and Teaching, all at the Internationally renowned Centre of Excellence Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, one of the World’s Top Eye Hospitals. Prior to this, as a trainee I was ranked highest for Ophthalmology placements in the North Thames/ Moorfields Ophthalmology Training Programme which is regarded as the most competitive in the UK for Ophthalmology Higher Specialist training.

Experience

There is no substitute for experience. I have over 20 years’ experience in cataract surgery and over 10 years’ experience in vitreoretinal surgery, and have performed 1000s of elective and emergency procedures. I maintain status as a full-time NHS Consultant, as well as a Private Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon, which allows me to personally perform and supervise surgery on hundreds of routine and complex cataract and vitreoretinal procedures every year.

State-of-the-art technology

Unlike many surgeons, I exclusively perform micro-incision sutureless cataract surgery which induces less astigmatism and promotes quicker vision stabilisation than standard cataract surgery.

For retinal and eye floater surgery, I exclusively use micro-incision state-of the art sutureless vitrectomy equipment, resulting in safer procedures and faster recovery. Surgery is typically performed using just three tiny incisions, each just 0.5mm in length.

The best intraocular lenses

Unlike standard monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in the NHS, I have access to premium IOLs. These lenses can correct astigmatism and also provide much greater independence from reading glasses.

Total reassurance and confidence

“Only a vitreoretinal surgeon can immediately deal with all the significant complications that could arise during a cataract surgery procedure. So why risk anyone else? “

As a vitreoretinal surgeon I am referred the most complex of cataracts from other cataract surgeons which they are unable or unwilling to deal with. I am also their port of call if they experience serious surgical complications during cataract surgery. By choosing me from the outset for your cataract surgery, you will have the absolute reassurance that should you experience any unexpected complications, you are already in hands of a surgeon who has the necessary skillset to immediately deal with them. So why risk anyone else?

Excellent safety record

My complication rates for cataract and retinal surgery are lower than national averages.

“I constantly strive to achieve every increasing standards of care and expertise.”

Reputation

“The choice of ophthalmic healthcare professionals”

I am highly regarded by my peers for my clinical and surgical expertise in complex cataract and vitreoretinal surgery. As a result, many practitioners within the fields of Optometry and Ophthalmology have chosen me for their own treatment and for members of their family. This could be considered the litmus test for reputation and recommendation.

Patient rapport and patient satisfaction

I strive to develop a close professional relationship with all of my patients to allow me to deliver the best personalised care and outcomes. I will personally perform your surgery and all your clinical assessments, and will provide you with all the time you require in order to answer your questions and alleviate any fears and anxieties. Your needs always come first, no matter what.

Over 99% of patients rate me with 5* on TrustPilot

Recommendations from other patients are an incredibly valuable method of gaining insight into the dedicated service you will get from me. Hundreds of patients have trusted me do deliver the best possible visual outcomes from cataract, retinal and floater surgery. My surgical skills, outcomes and professionalism are consistently rated 5-stars and “excellent” on TrustPilot by my patients.

Fast, direct access to me

At all stages of your surgical pathway, you will receive my direct telephone number. This will avoid the frustrating need to go via a secretary or the hospital in order to obtain any urgent advice. I will be available 7 days a week for you in this regard. This very important service I am proud to provide will give you the reassurance and confidence to make your journey through cataract or vitreoretinal surgery as smooth and anxiety-free as possible.

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Testimonials

Over 99% of patients rate me with 5*

Experience & Expertise

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Cataract
Surgeries

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Retinal
Detachment

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Epiretinal
Membrane

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Macular
Hole

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YAG
Capsulotomy

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Eye Floaters

Eye floaters are fragments of debris floating in our eyes which result in annoying shadows drifting across our vision, made worse upon eye movement. Most of us experience them at some point particularly as we get older, or if one is short-sighted. Although generally harmless, it is important to establish their cause, especially if they suddenly get much worse. The vast majority of us learn to ignore them, however occasionally eye floaters can cause substantial symptoms affecting our quality of life. It is a widely held belief that you have no choice but to just “live” with your floaters, however this is simply untrue. With the latest, most advanced techniques, eye floaters can now be permanently removed with greater safety and satisfaction than ever before.

Epiretinal Membranes

An epiretinal membrane (ERM) is simply an abnormal membrane that develops on the surface of the part of your retina (camera film of the eye) that deals with your central vision. They are quite common and usually do not cause significant symptoms. In some patients, they may produce contraction and thickening of the retina, causing you to suffer from reduced clarity of vision or distortion when looking at words or people’s faces. ERMs are readily treated in most cases using modern micro-incision retinal surgery techniques which I specialise in. Even if you have good levels of visual acuity but still have symptoms, you can now be treated more effectively and safely than ever. If you have symptoms, please book an appointment..

Macular Holes

In some people, the vitreous gel which fills the eye can cause pulling (traction) on the central part of your retina which is important for reading or recognising faces (the macula). Initially, you will develop a condition known as Vitreomacular Traction Syndrome (VMTS), which sometimes results in reduced vision and distortion. If you have these symptoms, these are usually significantly alleviated by surgery. If the tugging caused by the VMT is considerable, then you may be unfortunate enough to develop a full-thickness macula hole, which usually requires surgery as soon as possible in order to avoid permanently loss of vision and to obtain the best possible outcome.