Help us fight disease and injury in animals

David Donaldson BVSc (Hons) CertVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS

European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology
Head of the Comparative Ophthalmology Unit

After qualifying from the University of Sydney in 1989, David Donaldson spent 10 years in small and large animal practice in both Australia and the United Kingdom. Whilst in general practice, David obtained his RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2000. In 2002 David was appointed to a Residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the AHT and following this subsequently continued to work at the AHT as a senior clinician in ophthalmology. In 2007 David successfully completed his ECVO examinations.

Senior Clinician in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Jane qualified at Bristol University some time ago and spent 10 years in general practice during which time she developed an interest in ophthalmology and had the opportunity to specialise in this discipline.

Jane joined the Unit of Comparative Ophthalmology in 1990 and has been fortunate to see the unit expand over this time. The Trust has a highly motivated and specialist team and Jane finds working with her colleagues highly rewarding. Jane particularly enjoys the challenge of clinical work in a referral situation as very few, if any of our cases are, straightforward. This means Jane can contribute in a significant way to the advancement of her discipline through clinical experience, publications and textbooks. Jane is also actively engaged in postgraduate training for the European Diploma in Ophthalmology.

Jane’s outside interests include wildlife conservation and walking in Herriott country.

Claudia Hartley BVSc CertVOphthal DipECVO MRCVS

European Specialist in Veterinary Ophthalmology
Senior Clinician in Veterinary Ophthalmology

After qualifying from Bristol University, Claudia spent three years in predominantly large animal practice in Devon. She then spent 9 months locuming in both large and small animal practices across the country, and stayed on in a Cambridge practice as a permanent member of staff for 5 years, during which time she gained her RCVS Certificate in Ophthalmology. Claudia then spent a year as a clinician scholar at Cambridge Veterinary School undertaking clinical research in the pre-ocular tear film of dogs. The following year Claudia took up a residency at the Animal Health Trust in Veterinary Ophthalmology. She completed her residency in 2007 and in the same year successfully passed her European Diploma exams in Veterinary Ophthalmology. She currently works as a clinician in the Ophthalmology unit at the Animal Health Trust and is undertaking clinical research in tear film abnormalities in dogs.

Claudia Busse Dr med vet DipECVO CertVOphthal MRCVS

Clinician in Veterinary Ophthalmology

After qualifying from the School of Veterinary Medicine, Hanover in 2004 Claudia spent one and a half years in general practice while preparing a doctoral thesis on hereditary eye diseases. She then went on to complete an internship at the Animal Health Trust, and subsequently commenced a residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology which she completed in 2009. She successfully passed her European Diploma exams in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2010 and works currently as a clinician in the Ophthalmology unit at the Animal Health Trust.

Marian Matas Riera DVM MRCVS

Clinician in Veterinary Ophthalmology

Màrian graduated in 2005 from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and then completed an 18 month small animal internship at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of UAB. In July 2008 she undertook a 12 month ophthalmology internship at the Animal Health Trust. During her internship, Màrian passed the examination of the Postgrau en Oftalmologia Veterinaria (Postgraduate in Veterinary Ophthalmology) held at the UAB. Following the internship Marian remained at the AHT in a European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology approved residency program which she completed in the summer of 2011. Marian has been appointed as a clinician at the Animal Health Trust.

Christiane Kafarnik Dr med vet MRCVS

Resident in Ophthalmology

After graduating from Berlin in 2001, Christiane undertook a doctoral thesis on corneal innervation in dogs and cats. From 2003-2005 Christiane worked in postdoc research project on in vivo confocal microscopy of the cornea at the University in Munich in cooperation with a private ophthalmology referral clinic, where she worked as clinician till 2007, followed by a 12 month ocular pathology fellowship in Madison-Wisconsin in the States. Christiane then spent some time in externships in M-W, USA, Munich and Berlin before starting the residency at the AHT in October 2009. Her main research interests are ocular pathology and corneal disease.

Pedro Malho DVM MRCVS

Resident in Ophthalmology

After obtaining his veterinary degree from UTAD (Universidade Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Portugal) in 2002, Pedro underwent an internship program in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery at a multi-disciplinary referral centre. He worked in general practice both in Germany and Portugal while enrolled for his Certificat d'Études Supérieures en Ophtalmologie Vétérinaire, an official French postgraduation degree. Pedro moved to the United Kingdom in 2008 for an ophthalmology internship in Comparative Ophthalmology at the Animal Health Trust. Pedro continued at the AHT as a Petsavers resident in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2010. His research includes canine uveal melanomas and molecular genetics. Pedro enjoys helping improve vision in all kinds of animal species.

Roser Tetas

Intern in Ophthalmology

Roser graduated in 2006 from the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)and following this she completed a Master of Science at the UAB. Afterwards, she completed a 12 month small animal internship at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of UAB. After her internship, she was awarded a prestigious grant from the Collegi Oficial de Veterinaris de Barcelona to see veterinary ophthalmology practice in the UK and USA for four months. She attended the Postgrau en Oftalmologia Veterinariaheld at the UAB and will complete the examinations for this post-graduate ophthalmology qualification in October 2010. In July 2010, Roser started her 12 month ophthalmology internship at the Animal Health Trust.