Mr. Michael O'Rourke
Ophthalmology
Specialities
Contact details
Locations
Blackrock Clinic
Mr Micheal O’Rourke is a consultant ophthalmic surgeon and oculoplastic specialist. He is currently based in Dublin and has worked in various prestigious hospitals both in Ireland and abroad. Having completed the Irish Ophthalmic Surgery Training Programme, being proficient in all areas of ophthalmology, he was enrolled as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FRCSI(Ophth)). He pursued international training with experts in the field, acquiring modern and innovative surgical techniques.
On returning to Ireland, he uses these skills to provide the highest quality care for his patients. He established a dedicated paediatric oculoplastic service at CHI Crumlin, facilitating onsite specialist surgery for children whilst integrating with other relevant specialties and services. In his adult practice, his management and organisational competence to redesign ocular services has had a dramatic impact on excessively long hospital waiting times. Such reforms deliver the highest clinical standards with prompt and integrated care. Through establishing a thyroid multidisciplinary team, each aspect of the patient’s disease is collectively reviewed by all clinicians involved which paves the way for involvement in clinical trials and implementing novel treatments as they come available. Establishing care pathways with other relevant specialties such as dermatology and ENT provides more cohesive care. He is the lead consultant for post operative care delivering NTPF funded high volume cataract surgery at Blackrock Clinic. He is a strong patient advocate, and is a board member of the Thyroid Eye Disease Charitable Trust and is the only Irish member of EUGOGO (European Group on Grave’s Orbitopathy) – a multidisciplinary society steering collaborative evidence-based guidelines and research in thyroid eye disease. He has a strong ethos of patient education and is currently developing new resources using interactive platforms which will prepare the patient for their surgery and inform them about their eye condition. He is a past board member and director of the Research Foundation at RVEEH. He is currently a board member of the Irish college of Ophthalmologists. He is an educational trainer with the ICO and examines for membership candidates. He holds a public post at the Mater University Hospital providing care in all areas of oculoplastics.
Mr O’Rourke graduated with honours from Trinity College, Dublin (MB BCh BAO). During his surgical training, he completed a translational PhD in ocular immunology with research funding awarded from the Research Foundation at the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin and the Irish College of Ophthalmologists annual research award. During this time he also completed a diploma in statistics (PG Dip Stat TCD) enhancing his critical analysis of scientific data.
He ranked first in the ophthalmology membership exams (MRCSI(Ophth)) that year. On completion of the Irish training programme, he was enrolled as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (FRCSI(Ophth)). By examination, he also holds Fellowship of the European Board of Ophthalmology (FEBO). Focusing on management principles in relation to healthcare dynamics, financial planning and leadership, he completed the Smurfit UCD certificate in health care management practice.
His aesthetic training was undertaken at the Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA, California and Harley Street, London. He maintains his skills and his dedication to life-long learning through attendance at conferences run by international societies with whom he holds membership of. For finesse in cataract surgery, he attended the Johnson and Johnson Vision Experience Centre, Barcelona. He is the current Irish candidate selected for the European Leadership Development Programme (EuLDP) which fosters global peer networks shaping future leaders in ophthalmic care and harmonises training and health policy and legislation across Europe.
Mr O’Rourke has an extensive track record in medical research. He acknowledges the fundamental role of research in medical advancement by evidence based practices but also fundamental in clinical practice by enhancing critical thinking and problem solving skills to improve patient care.
He completed a PhD in ocular immunology encompassing both clinical and scientific arms the results of this were published in the highest impact factor journals in ophthalmology as well as cross-disciplinary impact with other specialties. He was awarded research funding from the Irish College of Ophthalmologists, Research Foundation at RVEEH and an educational grant and was recipient of prizes for at national and international meetings. He has continued to maintain a clinical research interest and collaborates with international research groups.
A full list of publications can be found here Mr Micheal O'Rourke Google Scholar Profile
Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Melbourne, Australia (Feb 2020 - Sept 2022)
Fellowship in Orbital, Lacrimal, and Oculoplastic Surgery, including honorary fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospital
Designed for advanced training, highlights included endoscopic (scarless) DCR tear-bypass surgery for epiphora, complete care of thyroid eye disease patients including surgical rehabilitation with orbital decompression, optic nerve sheath fenestration and corneal neurotization. A paediatric oculoplastic component adds a further component. Mr O’Rourke greatly expanded his surgical repertoire in this international centre of excellence and published extensively during this time. His hard work and dedication was acknowledged when he was awarded the “Rising star in ophthalmology” by his colleagues.
Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK (Jan 2019 - Jan 2020):
Fellowship in Orbital, Lacrimal, and Oculoplastic Surgery
He was recipient of the Irish College of Ophthalmology / BAYER fellowship bursary in 2019 which funded this fellowship.
Comprehensive training in all components of the subspecialty with particular emphasis on collaborative, multidisciplinary care for skin cancers, thyroid eye disease and the skull base team as well as management of prosthetic eyes, complex facial traumas and facial infections with aesthetic training.
