Professor William Ayliffe is an internationally renowned consultant ophthalmologist. He is an emeritus professor of medicine and biology at Gresham College and formerly honorary professor of vision at City University. He sees patients privately at Lister Hospital.

Professor Ayliffe graduated with a first in immunology from Imperial College London and qualified in medicine at St. Bartholomew's Hospital London. He completed his postgraduate training in ophthalmology at Manchester, Bristol, Oxford, and Harvard Universities. His PhD thesis focused on the mechanisms of corneal transplant failure.

Specialising in inflammatory eye diseases and corneal and cataract surgery, Professor Ayliffe has performed thousands of restorative operations. He was a pioneer in micro-incision surgery using sub-2mm incisions and the use of realistic iris prosthetic implants for severely damaged eyes.

He has developed a local and tertiary referral service for cornea, uveitis, and inflammatory eye disease. Additionally, he has worked in several emerging economies around the globe and with ORBIS, the international flying eye hospital.

Outside of his clinical and teaching roles, Professor Ayliffe continues to conduct research into the prevention of blindness.

Professor Ayliffe has been serving patients and advancing the field of ophthalmology since his appointment, bringing his extensive expertise and compassionate care to those in need.