Before he graduated from Cambridge Veterinary School in 1988, David already knew that he wanted to concentrate on ophthalmology in his professional career. Seeing practice in Solihull, West Midlands, John Heath CertVOphthal MRCVS senior partner in the 608 Veterinary Group captivated David with his enthusaism for the subject.

Before graduating David gained experience with Dr Keith Barnett at the Animal Health Trust, Newmarket, an internationally recognised expert in the field. After qualifying David worked as assistant veterinary surgeon and then resident in veterinary ophthalmology at the Trust, before gaining his certificate in veterinary ophthalmology and moving to the Royal Veterinary College to undertake a PhD investigating the pathology of chronic superficial keratitis in the German Shepherd dog (see photo).

After gaining his PhD David stayed at the RVC, as resident in clinical pharmacology with a particular interest, perhaps not surprisingly, in ocular pharmacology. After two years researching the practical and theoretical aspects of ocular drug delivery, he moved back to the Animal Health Trust for a period as Clinical Investigative Ophthalmologist before completing the circle, as it were, and moving back to Cambridge.

Here he is now Associate Lecturer in Veterinary Ophthalmology in the Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, a position he combines with teaching at St John’s College, where he is fellow, Director of Studies in Veterinary Medicine and College Lecturer in Pathology.