Biography

Prof Bernard YP Chang (Bernie) is a Consultant Ophthalmologist who specialises in oculoplastics, lacrimal and orbital surgery. He has been a consultant for 17 years in Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, one of the largest teaching hospitals in Europe. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of LEEDS.

Bernie is also a Visiting Professor of Ophthalmology, having been awarded this Chair from the University of Malaysia Sarawak in Jan 2011 for his overseas commitment to teaching and training.

He became the 13the President of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists in May 2020 in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic and had been working with the College on ensuring continued care for patients whilst trying to protect their safety as well as that of the ophthalmologists and the multidisciplinary team managing them.

He was a track record in the College. He is past Senior Vice President and past Honorary Secretary of The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. He chaired the Professional Standards Committee and is past Chair of the Invited External Reviews. He served as Council member on the Royal College of Ophthalmologists for five years prior to this. He was also elected member (2005-2009) of the Ophthalmic Group Committee of the British Medical Association and ophthalmic member of the National Ocular Oncology Group, UK. He served on the Joint Committee on Surgical Training, serving on the Interface Group on Cosmetic Surgery. He also served on the Committee on the Safety of Devices helping the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory agency (MHRA) to make medical devices and their use safer and more effective in the UK. He continues to advise MHRA on devices. He was Section Editor of Eye Journal (part of Nature Publishing) for 5 years.

He continues to work with NHS England on the National Outpatients Transformation Programme and was clinical lead on the CRG for the National Artificial Eyes Service until 2019.

Bernie has a strong interest in research, having published over 60 articles in peer reviewed journals and co-authored a textbook on anterior segment reconstruction.