A LEADING specialist from Oxford Eye Hospital has been shortlisted for a top national award following high praise from patients.

Professor Robert MacLaren is one of the nominees for this year’s Macular Society Awards for Excellence.

He has been shortlisted in the Clinical Service of the Year category in recognition of his 'exceptionally good practice' in caring for people with macular disease, which affects vision in older people and is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK.

ALSO READ: Mental health team win at MP awards

The nomination also highlighted Professor MacLaren’s gene therapy work and his use of robotic surgery to help those affected by retinal diseases.

He said: “I’m honoured to have been nominated for this award.

"Our research team in Oxford has been at the forefront of developing gene therapy treatments for macular diseases and earlier this year we were recognised as having led the first gene therapy trial to treat the dry form of AMD (Age-Related Macular Degeneration).”

ALSO READ: 'Drug trial cured me of eczema after 30-year struggle'

Professor MacLaren will find out later this month whether he has been selected for the award.

If successful, he will be presented with his award at the Macular Society’s national annual conference, which takes place at the Royal Leonardo London Tower Bridge Hotel on Saturday, September 21.