Mr Johnson Yan Ning Neo
MBChB, PGCert (MedEd), FHEA, FRCOphth, FEBO, CertLRS
Johnson Neo is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon specializing in cornea, external disease, cataract, and refractive surgery at Barts Health NHS Trust London, one of the biggest trusts in the United Kingdom. Dubbed a rising star in ophthalmology, Johnson has been awarded over 30 National and International Awards in recognition of his achievements in clinical excellence, research, teaching and medical leadership.
Johnson Neo undertook his ophthalmology specialist training in London and was the only specialist trainee who was recommended for an acceleration of training award twice by Health Education England. During his training, he also undertook the prestigious National Population Health Fellowship with The King’s Fund, and one year of Digital Research Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital. He subsequently completed two years of World-renowned Advanced Cornea and Refractive Fellowship training at Moorfields Eye Hospital. Johnson is triple board-certified and has till date received over 30 National and International awards in recognition of his achievements in clinical excellence, research, teaching, quality improvement and medical leadership: including the ESCRS best paper prize; SICSSO best paper prize; WOS Cow Bell Award for best presentation; UK Young Educator Award; TASME Teaching and Innovation Excellence prize etc.
He has authored over 40 peer-reviewed publications, 2 best-selling textbooks and several podcasts (including being the permanent host of the Eye See podcast series). He is the youngest elected member of the advisory board for the Royal College of Ophthalmologist Cataract National Ophthalmic Database (NOD) and sits on the council for multiple international and national organisations such as ESCRS, UKISCRS, Tear Health Academy and MCLOSA.
He introduced the first ultra-thin corneal endothelial transplant (DMEK) and leads the complex immunosuppression and ocular surface inflammation clinic at Barts Health NHS Trust.
Treatments and Procedures
- Cataract and secondary lens replacement surgery
- Pterygium and pinguecula surgery
- Cornea transplants (penetrating keratoplasty, anterior lamellar
- Keratoplasty, DSAEK, DMEK, artificial corneal transplant)
- Keratoconus treatment including cross-linking and corneal inlays
- Conjunctival cyst and lesion removal
- Chalazion surgery
- Eyelids lumps and bumps surgery
- Anterior segment reconstruction
- Corneal limbal stem cell transplant
- Therapeutic laser surgery
- Laser refractive surgery
Research Interests
Johnson has vast experience in surveillance and large dataset studies. His published research on the National Ophthalmic Database has helped set the national standards for cataract surgery in the United Kingdom and worldwide. His work on the use of machine learning algorithms (MLA) in triaging adult eye casualty patients has attracted collaborations between the NHS and industrial partners to further the use of artificial intelligence in the UK health and care setting.
His current research focuses on the causal relationship between novel chemotherapy agents and ocular surface inflammation. He also leads the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons young ophthalmologists’ sustainability research group.
