Mr Aruna Dharmasena: Consultant Ophthalmologist and Oculoplastic, Lacrimal and Orbital Surgeon in Manchester

Education & Experience

Mr Aruna Dharmasena is an accomplished Consultant in Adult and Paediatric Oculoplastic, Lacrimal, and Orbital Surgery, practising at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital since 2015. They also hold an honorary consultant position at Christie Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, reflecting their standing in the field of ophthalmic and reconstructive surgery.

Their extensive education includes an MBBS degree obtained in 2000, followed by membership with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCSEd) in 2007 and fellowship with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth, UK) in 2013. Since the same year, they have been listed on the General Medical Council’s Specialist Register in Ophthalmology.

Mr Dharmasena’s advanced surgical training includes fellowships at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in London and the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, where they developed refined skills in orbital, lacrimal, and oculoplastic surgery. Their earlier specialist training took place within the North-Western and East Midlands Deaneries, complemented by senior house officer roles at Moorfields Eye Centre at both St George’s University Hospitals and Croydon University Hospital.

Alongside their clinical commitments, they are a dedicated teacher and mentor. They regularly supervise international clinical fellows and contribute to undergraduate education at the University of Manchester’s Faculty of Medicine, supporting the next generation of ophthalmic surgeons through active teaching and professional guidance.

Treatments

• Eye surgery
• Blocked tear duct surgery
• Ectropion and entropion eyelid surgery
• Eye removal (enucleation and evisceration)
• False eye removal and exchange
• Ptosis correction surgery
• Blepharoplasty (upper and lower eyelids)
• Brow lift procedures
• Reconstructive surgery following trauma or tumour removal
• Treatment for dry eye, watery eye, and thyroid eye disease
• Management of facial palsy, synkinesis, and blepharospasm

Initial consultation fee: £220.00 – £240.00
Follow-up consultation fee: £150.00 – £180.00

Research Interests

Mr Dharmasena maintains a strong academic focus alongside clinical practice, contributing widely to ophthalmic literature. Their research encompasses orbital trauma reconstruction, lacrimal surgery, eyelid malignancies, and ocular inflammatory disease. Their work aims to refine surgical techniques and improve patient outcomes in complex orbital and oculoplastic conditions.

They have authored or co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in leading journals, including studies on orbital fracture management, neurosurgical collaboration in spheno-orbital meningiomas, congenital eye malformations, and trends in thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Their consistent academic engagement reflects a career-long commitment to evidence-based innovation and multidisciplinary care.

Clinical Interests

Clinically, Mr Dharmasena’s expertise spans both functional and cosmetic aspects of oculoplastic and orbital surgery. They have a particular interest in the management of eyelid disorders (such as ptosis, ectropion, and entropion), tear duct obstruction, orbital trauma, and reconstructive surgery following tumour removal or injury.

They also provide aesthetic procedures including blepharoplasty, brow lifts, and non-surgical rejuvenation using dermal fillers and wrinkle-relaxing treatments. Their practice integrates reconstructive precision with aesthetic understanding, ensuring outcomes that are both restorative and natural-looking.

Accolades & Awards

Throughout their career, Mr Dharmasena has earned recognition for their surgical skill, academic contribution, and commitment to training. They have presented research at national and international conferences, with several of their published works contributing to current best practice guidelines in oculoplastic and orbital surgery. Their mentorship and teaching have also been widely commended by trainees and colleagues alike.

Memberships & Associations

• Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (MRCSEd, Ophthalmology)
• Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth, London)
• Registered Specialist in Ophthalmology with the General Medical Council (No. 06061741)

Consulting locations:
1. Private Patient Centre (Ward 54), First Floor, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9WL
2. Regency Eye Hospital (formerly Face & Eye), 2 Gibwood Rd, Northenden, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 4BT

Publications

Mr. Dharmasena’s work seamlessly blends clinical care with a dedicated emphasis on academic and research pursuits, with the goal of advancing treatment and rehabilitation for patients facing complex ocular and facial conditions. Below is a list of his articles published in scientific journals:

1. Lee CYPD, Rees A, Al-Wizni A, Saleki M, Attygalla M, Dharmasena A. Bone grafts versus titanium mesh implants in orbital fracture management: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Orbit. 2025 Oct 8:1-10.

2. Younis A, Shiwani H, Green EKY, Foo E, Sharma V, Dignan FL, Dharmasena A. Diagnostic Role of Tissue Biopsy in Leukemic or Lymphomatous Infiltrative Optic Neuropathy: A Case Report and Systematic Review of Literature. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 Jul-Aug 01;41(4):388-395.

3. Vahdani K, Dharmasena A, Rose GE. Presentation of Spontaneous Orbital Hemorrhage. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2024 Nov-Dec 01;40(6):661-668.

4. Chaturvedi R, O'Rourke M, Rostron E, Cook A, Dharmasena A. Complete manuscript title: Neurological complications from sinugenic orbital cellulitis. Eur J Ophthalmol. 2022 Jul;32(4):2469-2474.

5. Young J, Mdanat F, Dharmasena A, Cannon P, Leatherbarrow B, Hammerbeck-Ward C, Rutherford S, Ataullah S. Combined neurosurgical and orbital intervention for spheno-orbital meningiomas - the Manchester experience. Orbit. 2020 Aug;39(4):251-257.

6. Lee P, Dharmasena A, Ajdukiewicz KM, Ataullah S. Mansonella ozzardi parasitic infestation in the orbit. Int J Ophthalmol. 2017 Oct 18;10(10):1630-1632.

7. Gore SK, Plowman NP, Dharmasena A, Verity DH, Rose GE. Corneal complications after orbital radiotherapy for primary epithelial malignancies of the lacrimal gland. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Jul;102(7):882-884.

8. Dharmasena A, Keenan T, Goldacre R, Hall N, Goldacre MJ. Trends over time in the incidence of congenital anophthalmia, microphthalmia and orbital malformation in England: database study. Br J Ophthalmol. 2017 Jun;101(6):735-739.

9. Dharmasena A, Lee PW, Irion LC, Bonshek R, Abdullah M, Nolan D. Non-keratinising undifferentiated nasopharyngeal-type carcinoma of the lacrimal sac. Int J Ophthalmol. 2016 Aug 18;9(8):1238-42.

10. Mercieca K, Dharmasena A, Hopley C. Corneal perforation during scleral indentation in a patient with pellucid marginal degeneration. Indian J Ophthalmol. 2016 Mar;64(3):233-4.

11. Sadiq SA, Dharmasena A. Dynamic muscle transfer in facial nerve palsy: the use of contralateral orbicularis oculi muscle. Facial Plast Surg. 2015 Apr;31(2):145-51.

12. Cooper J, Dharmasena A, Malik R, Cook A. Reliability and Effectiveness of the Manchester Orbital Exenteration Wound Assessment Tool: Inter-Observer Agreement. Orbit. 2015 Jun;34(3):127-31.

13. Dharmasena A, Hall N, Goldacre R, Goldacre MJ. Time trends in ophthalmia neonatorum and dacryocystitis of the newborn in England, 2000-2011: database study. Sex Transm Infect. 2015 Aug;91(5):342-5.

14. Dharmasena A, Sobajo C, Irion L, Ataullah S. Lacrimal duct cyst abscess. Orbit. 2014 Dec;33(6):453-5.

15. Dharmasena A, Bhatt P, Kwartz J. Acquired iris inclusion cysts. Int J Ophthalmol. 2014 Aug 18;7(4):737-9.

16. Sadiq SA, Dharmasena A. Superior rectus underaction following botulinum toxin injection to induce protective upper eye lid ptosis--a comparative study of two techniques. Strabismus. 2014 Sep;22(3):111-4.

17. Qureshi F, Dharmasena A, Leatherbarrow B. Periocular Scleromyxedema. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015 Sep-Oct;31(5):e119-20.

18. Dharmasena A, Park DY, Vishwanath M. Does high intraocular pressure exclude an open globe injury? Int J Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr 18;7(2):389-90.

19. Dharmasena A. Selenium supplementation in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy: an update. Int J Ophthalmol. 2014 Apr 18;7(2):365-75.

20. Dharmasena A, Keenan TD, Goldacre MJ. Orbital decompression for thyroid-associated orbitopathy in England: trends over time and geographical variation. Orbit. 2014 Apr;33(2):109-14.

21. Dharmasena A, Wallis S. Iris microhaemangioma: a management strategy. Int J Ophthalmol. 2013 Apr 18;6(2):246-50.

22. Ning B, Dharmasena A, Inkster C. Regrowth of upper eyelid eyelashes after making a surgical incision on the upper eyelid in a case of severe alopecia areata. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014 Jan-Feb;30(1):e2-3.

23. Dharmasena A, Wallis S. Retinal artery occlusions in children. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2014;37(2):186-9.

24. Dharmasena A, Watts GM. Bilateral spontaneous hyphaema: case report and review of literature. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2013 Oct;36(3):343-5.

25. Turner SJ, Dharmasena A, Deane J. Bilateral rubeosis iridis and rubeotic glaucoma due to peripheral occlusive vasculitis associated with multiple sclerosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2011 Oct;19(5):373-5.

26. Dharmasena A, Tambe K, Shah N, Brown L, Vaidhyanath R, Sampath R. Yellow lid sign in Wegener's granulomatosis. Orbit. 2009;28(2-3):194-5.

27. Dharmasena A, Calcagni A, Kerr AR. Retinopathy in inherited Transcobalamin II deficiency. Arch Ophthalmol. 2008 Jan;126(1):141-2.