Keith Martin

Keith Martin is a British ophthalmologist. He is the inaugural Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Cambridge and a specialist in the treatment of glaucoma. In 2013, Martin's team tested a novel technique of bio-printing, using an ink jet to recreate layers of ganglion and glial cells from a rat's retina, a process that has been described as 'printing eyeballs'.

Early life and education Martin was educated at The Royal School, Armagh, from 1980 to 1987, and was head boy in his final year. He then won a place at St Catharine's College, Cambridge to read medical science and neuroscience. He graduated with first class honours in three subjects.

Career Martin has specialised in the treatment of glaucoma and in 2005 he established the Glaucoma Research Laboratory at Cambridge.

In 2013, he worked with Barbara Lorber and others on the use of a piezoelectric inkjet nozzle to spray ganglion and glial cells from a rat retina. The cells survived the process of deposition in layers and continued to grow in culture. With further development and testing, techniques like this could have clinical application for the repair of damaged retinas.

In 2018, Martin became president of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA), the world's largest glaucoma association.

In 2019, Martin moved to Melbourne where he became the Managing Director for the Centre for Eye Research Australia] (CERA) and the head of Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne.

Family life Martin is married and has three children. He lives in Melbourne.

2025: Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences

Publications