Aesthetic Ocular Safety is a specialist training programme co-founded by James E. Neffendorf MA (Cantab), MBBS (Lond), MD (Res), FRCOphth, consultant ophthalmologist and vitreoretinal surgeon, and Gillian Murray, co-founder of the Complications in Medical Aesthetic Collaborative (CMAC), a global multidisciplinary organisation supporting clinicians with complication management.

The programme was developed in response to the increasing number of vision-related complications from dermal fillers. James became involved in this area of practice during the creation of an UK based consensus guideline on filler-induced blindness, which highlighted the urgent need for better clinical preparedness. His expertise, along with input from other ophthalmology specialists, has shaped this training to ensure it meets the highest standards of clinical relevance and accuracy.

Gillian has led safety and complication initiatives across the aesthetics sector, working to strengthen collaboration between aesthetic and medical specialties. Her focus is on integrating hospital-level expertise into aesthetic practice through a multidisciplinary approach, particularly in the management of serious complications such as vision loss. Her goal is to ensure clinicians are better equipped to assess and manage these events effectively, leading to safer practice and improved patient outcomes.

This training has been written and developed in collaboration with ophthalmology specialists and is delivered by a faculty of aesthetic clinicians and ocular experts. It reflects real-world clinical insight and is designed to raise the standard of emergency preparedness in aesthetics.

Our Core Values

1. Clinical Integrity

We are committed to delivering evidence-based, specialist-led training that reflects the highest standards of clinical care and responsibility.

2. Multidisciplinary Collaboration

We believe complex complications require team work. Our programme is built on strong partnerships between aesthetic clinicians and ophthalmology experts.

3. Patient Centred Safety

Our primary focus is on safeguarding patients through education that prepares clinicians to recognise, respond to and manage rare but serious ocular emergencies.