Dr. Natasha Brathwaite

Dr. Natasha Brathwaite is a consultant ophthalmologist at Queen Elizabeth Hospital — Barbados's principal public hospital and the primary referral centre for specialist eye care on the island. With over 12 years of ophthalmic practice, Dr. Brathwaite provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic and surgical eye services for the Barbadian population, managing everything from routine refractive errors and conjunctivitis to complex cataract surgery and the ocular complications of diabetes.

Diabetic eye disease is a particularly significant public health challenge in Barbados, where diabetes prevalence is among the highest in the Caribbean. Dr. Brathwaite works closely with endocrinologists and general practitioners to ensure that diabetic patients receive timely fundoscopic screening and laser treatment when required to prevent vision loss. She participates in Barbados's national diabetic retinopathy screening program, which aims to identify at-risk patients before they develop sight-threatening disease.

Dr. Brathwaite trained at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus and completed specialist ophthalmic training in the region and United Kingdom. She is committed to expanding access to quality eye care in Barbados and mentors junior doctors with an interest in ophthalmology.

Dr. Brathwaite completed her MBBS at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus in Barbados — the primary medical school serving the English-speaking Caribbean. She subsequently completed the Doctor of Medicine (DM) in Ophthalmology through the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences, including rotations at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Barbados, Port of Spain General Hospital Trinidad, and the University Hospital of the West Indies Jamaica.

She undertook a clinical attachment in the United Kingdom, gaining experience in phacoemulsification cataract surgery and vitreoretinal disease management at a National Health Service teaching hospital. She is a member of the Caribbean Ophthalmological Society and the International Council of Ophthalmology.

Dr. Brathwaite's surgical practice is centred on cataract surgery using phacoemulsification — the modern small-incision technique that allows rapid visual recovery. She implants a range of intraocular lenses including monofocal and toric lenses for astigmatism correction. Her medical retina practice focuses on the management of diabetic retinopathy through serial fundoscopic monitoring and focal or panretinal laser photocoagulation.

In glaucoma, she performs tonometry, optic disc assessment, and visual field testing, managing patients with topical pressure-lowering medications and coordinating surgical referrals where medical management is inadequate. She provides comprehensive general ophthalmic care including assessment and correction of refractive errors, management of dry eye, and treatment of anterior segment conditions.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital serves Barbados's domestic population including a significant expatriate and long-term visitor community. Dr. Brathwaite sees patients who are visiting Barbados and require urgent or planned ophthalmic assessment. English is the sole language of consultation.

Patients requiring complex subspecialty ophthalmic surgery — such as vitreoretinal surgery or corneal transplantation — are typically referred to specialist centres in Trinidad, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, or the United States, as these services are not fully available in Barbados. Dr. Brathwaite can provide pre-referral assessment, medical records summary, and guidance on appropriate regional referral pathways for international visitors.

Dr. Brathwaite has been recognised by the Barbados Association of Medical Practitioners for her contributions to ophthalmology services in the public health sector. She has participated in Vision 2020 Right to Sight programs and contributed to regional eye health education at Caribbean Ophthalmological Society meetings.

She serves as a clinical preceptor for UWI medical students on elective rotations at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, contributing to the training of future Caribbean ophthalmologists.