Vale Eye Surgeons our pleased to offer consultations and medical care at our clinic in the centre of Cowbridge. We conduct surgical procedures at Spire Cardiff Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and Cardiff Bay Hospital.
OurTEAM
Mr. Thomas Betts
Consultant Ophthalmologist
MBChB, FRCOphth
Thomas is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon at the University Hospital of Wales. He is experienced in providing general ophthalmology care, cataract surgery and he has a special interest in oculoplastic surgery. Thomas has expertise in managing a wide range of oculoplastic disorders including eyelid malposition, skin lesions, watery eyes, eye socket conditions and Botox treatments.
Thomas graduated from The University of Dundee Medical School in 2007 and subsequently completed general ophthalmology training in Wales. Thomas spent 2 years undertaking subspeciality training in Oculoplastic surgery as a Fellow at Christchurch Hospital, New Zealand. He was subsequently appointed to a consultant post in Christchurch during which he gained further experience in general and oculoplastic surgery.
​
In 2020, Thomas returned to a consultant position at The University Hospital of Wales. He is the ophthalmic lead for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Skin cancer service. Thomas is an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Cardiff University School of Optometry and Vision Science and member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society.
​
Thomas very much enjoys living in the Vale of Glamorgan with his wife and young family. He is a keen
sportsperson and participates in multisport activities; his personal highlight being completing an Ironman
challenge in Copenhagen.
Mr. Ryan Davies
Consultant Ophthalmologist
BSc, MBBCh, FRCOphth
Ryan is a Consultant Ophthalmologist, with a specialist interest in paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus. He graduated from the University of Wales college of Medicine with honours in 2008. During that time he also was awarded an intercalated degree in Anatomical sciences.
​
He completed his post graduate foundation training in Cardiff prior to working as a Registrar in emergency medicine in Sydney, Australia.
He then returned to Wales to complete specialist training in Ophthalmology and is now a Fellow of the Royal College. Following completion of training he carried out a fellowship at the Manchester Royal Eye Hospital. Here he gained experience in all areas of paediatric ophthalmology and strabismus, including intra-ocular surgery in children with congenital cataracts and glaucoma, complex strabismus, genetics, uveitis and retinopathy of prematurity.
In 2019 he was appointed as a substantive consultant at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. Mr Davies has published a number of research projects, including being awarded a research grant for a national project on the management of congenital dacryocystocoele, in conjunction with the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit (BOSU).
He has also published various book chapters on topics within Ophthalmology. Mr Davies has a keen interest in medical education and has recently been appointed an examiner of the Royal College of Ophthalmology.
Ms. Magdalena Popiela
Consultant Ophthalmologist
MBChB, MSc, FRCOphth
Magdalena is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon with a specialist interest in cornea and anterior segment. Her expertise beyond general ophthalmology includes cataract surgery in patients with corneal disease or previous refractive surgery, vision enhancing lens surgery, corneal transplants , pterygium removal and medical management of ocular surface diseases.
Magdalena graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2007 and went on to complete her ophthalmic training in Wales, where she developed her subspecialty interests in cornea and anterior segment. This was further enhanced during her fellowship at the University Hospital of Southampton; a leading corneal transplant centre in the UK.
Magdalena took a role of the consultant ophthalmologist and the clinical lead at St. Bernard’s Hospital, Gibraltar in 2019. She performed the very first corneal transplant in Gibraltar and introduced corneal service to the Rock. As a clinical lead she is actively involved in service improvement projects at St Bernard’s Hospital, as well as student teaching via Gibraltar University.
​
In 2022 she returned to Wales to take up a substantive consultant post at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff.
​
Magdalena is a recipient of prestigious awards for a number of her research projects. She has also completed a master’s degree in cataract and refractive surgery from Ulster University for her work with femtosecond laser. She has published number of articles as well as authored a book chapter. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and exploring the Costa del Sol.