Consultant Profile

Mr John Pitts
MB ChB BSc (Hons) LLM DAvMed FRCP FRCS FRCOphth
Consultant
Speciality: Ophthalmology
Professional Profile
I graduated from Glasgow University in 1983. My internships were in general medicine, oncology and paediatric surgery, including neonatal special care. Prior to starting my training in ophthalmology I spent a year in histopathology and then eighteen months in general medicine, emergency medicine and neurology. As an Ophthalmology Registrar I trained at the Tennent Institute, Glasgow, during which I took an overseas placement in the University of the West Indies, Barbados, working at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown. I came back to a Senior Registrar position, first at QMC, Nottingham, then at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, where I later became the Senior fellows in Oculoplastics. I exchanged with the oculoplastic fellow in Amsterdam and worked in the Orbita Centrum at the AMC. I then spent a year visiting world leaders in adnexal disease in Melbourne, New Orleans, and Los Angeles. In 1996 I was appointed as an NHS consultant at Harold Wood and Whipps Cross, later at Barts and the Royal London. After a few years, and after a sabbatical in orbital disease in Vancouver, I returned to Barbados at the invitation of the head of ophthalmology there to set up a comprehensive orbital, lachrymal and oculoplastic regional referral service in the Eastern Caribbean. I currently work part-time for Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Shoreham-by-Sea.
In addition to ophthalmology, I am qualified in aviation medicine and carry out pilot and ATCO medicals for the Civil Aviation Authority and the Federal Aviation Administration. My interests include flying, scuba diving and sailing. I was trained as a pilot by the Royal Air Force (University Air Squadron). I hold the PADI open water diver, advanced diver, rescue diver and Nitrox certificates. I gained my RYA Coastal Skipper/ Yachtmaster ticket in 2011. I am a keen reader and writer of crime fiction. I believe in lifelong learning and am currently studying for PADI Divemaster and Ocean Yachtmaster.
Specialises In
Aviation Medicine
General ophthalmology and primary care
Fellowship trained in orbit, eyelid and lachrymal disease
Interested in neuro-ophthalmology
Professional Memberships
Royal College of Ophthalmologists
Civil Aviation Authority
Federal Aviation Administration