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This annual event is designed to increase your knowledge of neuro-ophthalmology. We are privileged to host experts in the field. The course is especially suitable for ophthalmologists, optometrists, neurologists and nurse specialists.
2026 Meeting
Wednesday 8th July 2026
The Optic Nerve: Pathway to Perception
Manchester Conference Centre & Pendulum Hotel
Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB
Programme
Theme: The Optic Nerve
Abstracts
Submission deadline: 21st June 2026
Submission to: nwneuroophth@gmail.com. Acknowledgement of receipt will be sent.
Word limit: 250 words.
Candidates selected for oral presentation will be advised accordingly.
There will be a prize for the best oral presentation.
Registration
Course Fees
Standard Delegates £100
MFT Employees & Trainees £50
Payment Method
Option 1 - Website
https://mft.nhs.uk/the-trust/other-departments/procurement-e-commerce-department/pay-online/
Go to “Make a Payment” → NorthWest Neuro Course
Option 2 - Phone (Cashiers)
Please quote reference: neuro-ophth
Monday - Friday; 9:00am to 3:30pm
0161 276 2160; 0161 276 4401
Venue
Pendulum Suite
Manchester Conference Centre & Pendulum Hotel
Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3BB
https://www.pendulumhotel.co.uk/
Nearest train station: Less than 10minutes walk from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road stations
Car: NCP on Oxford Road, postcode M1 7ED - discounted price available from hotel
Mr Ali Yagan
MD. MSc. (Ophth) PGCert (Med Edu.)FRCOphth
Dr Greg Heath
BSc, MBBS, MRCP(UK), MRCOphth, MCOptom, DipClinOptom, FHEA
Mr Mandagere Vishwanath
FRCSEd, DOMS
Ms Revelle Littlewood
MBBS, FRCOphth
Dr Christopher Hutchcroft
MA, MBBS, BA
Speakers
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Mr Yagan has been a consultant in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus surgery at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital since 2015, performing complex squint assessments and surgeries and botulinum toxin injections.
He has authored several papers, posters and presentations, nationally and internationally, on ophthalmology in general and neuro-ophthalmology and ocular motility.
Mr Yagan is the Director of Medical Education and Associate Medical Director at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, North of England Ophthalmology Society, and a member of the UK neuro ophthalmology society and the British Isles Neuro Ophthalmology Club.
Consultant Medical Ophthalmologist, York Hospital
Greg originally qualified as an optometrist prior to obtaining his medical degree at University College, London. He undertook most of his postgraduate training within the Yorkshire deanery in which he spent a considerable time working in oncology and neurology before accepting a training post in medical ophthalmology. He completed his medical ophthalmology training in 2016 and undertook a Fellowship in uveitis and neuro-ophthalmology in Manchester.
Greg specialises in inflammatory eye disease and neuro-ophthalmology and has a keen interest in medical education. He is currently the TPD for Ophthalmology Education in Yorkshire, Deputy Director of Medical Education at York Hospital and an honorary Senior Lecturer for Hull and York Medical School. He is also the President of the Medical Ophthalmology Society and Curriculum Lead for the medical ophthalmology SAC.
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Mr Vishwanath was appointed Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in January 2009. He specialises in neuro-ophthalmology, strabismus and cataract surgery.
In the field of neuro-ophthalmology he establishes the cause and provides treatment for many unexplained visual or eye problems related to nerves of the eye and brain. He is an expert in ultrasound diagnosis of eye diseases including different varieties of glaucoma, swollen optic nerves and eye cancers.
Mr Vishwanath is a clinical and educational supervisor, and trains doctors from the UK and abroad. He is also an honorary lecturer for the University of Manchester.
He is also an active researcher and has presented in many scientific papers in national and international meetings. He has more than twenty publications in peer reviewed medical journals. He is a reviewer for the strabismus section of the British Journal of Ophthalmology. He is an active member of International Strabismus Association, Societas Internationalis Pro Diagnostica Ultrasonica in Ophthalmologia and the British and Irish Neuro-Ophthalmology Club.
Consultant Ophthalmologist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Ms Littlewood was appointed consultant ophthalmologist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in 2022, specialising in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus.
Ms Littlewood graduated from Newcastle University and completed her ophthalmic specialist training in South Yorkshire before she joined the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital in 2021 to undertake a subspecialty fellowship post in neuro-ophthalmology and strabismus.
Consultant Neurologist, Salford Royal Hospital
Dr Hutchcroft is a consultant neurologist at Salford Royal Hospital, specialising in neuro-ophthalmology.
He graduated from the University of Nottingham in 2016 and completed his neurology training in the North West Deanery.
Dr Gillian Whitfield
MA, MBBS, MRCP, FRCR, PhD
Dr Richard Hagan
MSC, BEng, PhD
Consultant Clinical Oncologist, Christie’s Hospital
Gillian gained First Class Honours in Mathematics from the University of Cambridge before graduating in Medicine from the University of London in 1998. Her postgraduate clinical training was in London and Cambridge, and she completed a PhD in Image Guided Radiotherapy in Manchester, before taking up her current position in 2011.
Gillian treats CNS and skull base tumours in children and adults, with photon (X-ray) radiotherapy and Proton Therapy. Gillian led the Christie CNS group on radiotherapy improvements, including the introduction of intracranial Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). During preparation for the Proton Therapy service which opened in December 2018, Gillian led the team for adults with CNS and skull base tumours and led on Proton planning for paediatric CNS tumours.
Gillian’s research interests are focused on outcomes of treatment and clinical trials exploiting advanced radiotherapy. She is the radiotherapy lead at the Christie for paediatric and proton CNS trials. She is a former member of the now closed NHS England Proton Programme Clinical Reference Panels for paediatric and adult CNS and skull base cases, also a former member of the SIOPE Radiation Oncology Working Group steering committee, the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Brain Clinical Studies Group, and the NCRI Clinical and Translational Radiotherapy Research Working Group.
Visual Electrophysiologist, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
Dr Hagan is a visual electrophysiologist. He previously worked in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital and has recently moved to Manchester Royal Eye Hospital.
Please email with any queries
nwneuroophth@gmail.com