Optegra Eye Health Care, the specialist eye hospital group, has announced the appointment of a new chief medical officer.

Seema Verma (pictured) joins from Moorfields Eye Hospital, where she worked for 19 years, completing her higher training before undertaking a corneal fellowship and becoming consultant surgeon.

She was the first ophthalmic surgeon in the UK to head an Ophthalmic Emergency Eye Service, and for the past 15 years was the service director for general ophthalmology and A&E at Moorfields.

Verma is a specialist in cataract and external eye disease and is a founding member and president of the British Emergency Eye Care Society (BEECS).

She graduated in 1987 from University College London, and studied neurology and neurosurgery before specialising in ophthalmology.

In her new role, Verma will be based at Optegra’s flagship hospital in the Harley Street medical area.

Rory Passmore, UK managing director at Optegra, said: “We are delighted that Seema is joining our team. Her rich and specialist career to date means she brings with her not only excellent medical expertise but also, from a management and patient care perspective, great knowledge on improving patient experience and designing seamless pathways to ensure excellent patient care.”