Matthew Burton

Professor Matthew Burton is the Director of the International Centre for Eye Health (ICEH) and holds a Professorship in Global Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He leads interdisciplinary research on trachoma, corneal infections, and global eye health in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). His work spans over two decades, including roles in The Gambia, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nepal. He co-chairs the Lancet Global Health Commission on Global Eye Health, which published its first report in 2021 and will issue a follow-up in 2030. Burton has pioneered interventions such as the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) methodology and has collaborated with organizations like Peek Vision and the Commonwealth Eye Health Consortium. He holds a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship and is an Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist at Moorfields Eye Hospital.

Education: MBChB from the University of Cambridge, PhD in trachoma research from LSHTM (awarded the Woodruff Medal), and advanced qualifications including FRCOphth. His research emphasizes equitable access to eye care, with ongoing trials on presbyopia in India/Kenya and corneal infections in Uganda. He has led major initiatives including the Stronger SAFE Trial in Ethiopia and adaptive platform trials to improve eye screening attendance in multiple countries.

Professional Activities: He serves as Section Editor for the British Journal of Ophthalmology, Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (elected 2022), and Trustee of Peek Vision Foundation. He chairs committees for the Lancet Commission and Vision Catalyst Fund, and advises global health bodies like the World Health Organization. Awards include the LSHTM Directors Award (2020) and the Outstanding Scientific Paper Award (2021).

Research Themes: His work focuses on neglected tropical diseases (trachoma, fungal keratitis), implementation science for eye care systems, and leveraging technology (AI, mobile health) to improve diagnostics and service delivery. Collaborations include partnerships with Ministries of Health, NGOs, and academic institutions globally.