Dr. Patrick Joseph

Dr. Patrick Joseph is an ophthalmologist at Princess Margaret Hospital in Roseau — Dominica's main public hospital and the principal medical referral facility for the Nature Isle of the Caribbean. As the ophthalmology lead at the island's government hospital, he provides the full spectrum of eye care services to Dominica's population of approximately 70,000, where access to specialist ophthalmological care is otherwise extremely limited.

Dominica, like much of the Caribbean, faces a high burden of diabetes-related eye disease. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable blindness in the region, and Dr. Joseph's early detection and management programme — including regular fundal screening for diabetic patients — is a cornerstone of the island's eye health strategy. Cataract is the other major surgical cause of visual impairment he addresses through phacoemulsification surgery.

Dr. Joseph trained at the University of the West Indies and completed his ophthalmology fellowship in the UK, where he obtained Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) before returning to serve Dominica.

Dr. Joseph completed his MBBS at the University of the West Indies and undertook ophthalmology specialist training in the United Kingdom, earning a Diploma in Ophthalmology (DO) and subsequently the Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth) — the highest ophthalmology qualification in the United Kingdom and one of the most respected internationally. His UK training included exposure to high-volume cataract surgery, medical retina, glaucoma management, and paediatric ophthalmology in a large NHS hospital setting.

Returning to Dominica, he brought a level of ophthalmological training that significantly exceeds what is typically available in small Caribbean island healthcare systems. He has participated in Caribbean Ophthalmological Society educational programmes and WHO Prevention of Blindness initiative training workshops relevant to the regional blindness prevention agenda.

Dr. Joseph performs cataract surgery by phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation — the modern gold-standard technique offering faster visual recovery than older ECCE methods. He performs comprehensive fundal examination using direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy for assessment of diabetic retinopathy, glaucomatous changes, and macular disease. He manages glaucoma with topical medical therapy, laser trabeculoplasty where available, and trabeculectomy for advanced cases. Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF agents for diabetic macular oedema and wet AMD are performed where pharmaceutical supply allows. He also manages pterygium, conjunctival disease, and uveitis.

Dr. Joseph is the primary consultant ophthalmologist available to international visitors, cruise ship passengers, and diaspora Dominicans requiring eye care during their time on the island. As the island's lead ophthalmologist, he is the first point of call for any eye emergency or routine eye care need presenting in Dominica. Appointments at Princess Margaret Hospital eye clinic are available for private patients and can be arranged through the hospital's outpatient department.

He is experienced in producing written reports and referral summaries for patients' home-country ophthalmologists, ensuring continuity of care for those who travel for follow-up. For complex eye procedures beyond Dominica's current surgical capacity — including advanced retinal surgery, glaucoma drainage implants, or complex corneal work — Dr. Joseph facilitates referral to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Barbados, Port of Spain General Hospital in Trinidad, or specialist centres in Martinique. He consults in English.

Dr. Joseph holds Fellowship of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists (FRCOphth, UK) — among the highest individual recognitions in ophthalmology in the anglophone world — and is a member of the Caribbean Ophthalmological Society. He has been recognised by the Dominica Ministry of Health for his contribution to the island's eye health programme, particularly for his leadership in diabetic retinopathy screening and cataract surgical service delivery at the national hospital.

He participates in Sightsavers and VISION 2020 regional blindness prevention initiatives in the Eastern Caribbean, contributing to the broader effort to reduce avoidable blindness in the region. His sustained commitment to providing specialist ophthalmic care within Dominica's public health system is a significant and valued contribution to eye health on the island.