Lead by Professor Harminder Dua, Academic Ophthalmology has established itself as an internationally recognised centre of excellence in the management of complex ocular surface disorders. Nationally it is without doubt one of the leading centres in this area attracting tertiary referrals of patients from consultant ophthalmologist colleagues from across the country and internationally. The unit boasts an excellent track record in the areas of corneal transplantation, ocular surface reconstruction including amniotic membrane and stem cell transplantation. Our applied laboratory research has already directed clinical practice in the eye banks, amniotic membrane preparation, storage and use, and more through development of clinical techniques namely, fine needle diathermy occlusion of corneal vessels, a new classification of chemical burns, sequential sector conjunctival epitheliectomy and alcohol delamination of the corneal epithelium for diagnostic and therapeutic indications. These have been adopted by several centres across the world. Recently, we have discovered a new layer in the pre-Descemets zone of the deep stroma (Dua's layer) that will have profound effect on lamellar corneal surgery and posterior corneal pathology.