Our team
Mr Andrew Luff - Founding Consultant
Andrew is one of the UK’s most respected eye surgeons. He has more than 30 years’ experience in ophthalmology, with more than 10,000 vitrectomy procedures to his name, and in excess of 20,000 cataract operations.
Andrew began his career in general surgery, having trained in medicine first at Oxford University and then at Guy’s Hospital Medical School in London. He made the move into ophthalmology in 1988, training at Southampton’s highly regarded General Hospital and the world famous Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The late 1980s was an exciting time for ophthalmology; eye surgery was experiencing huge leaps forward, from improved optics and micro-instrumentation to breakthrough cataract and macular treatments.
Andrew’s work has tracked many of those advances. He was one of the first British surgeons to use intravitreal injections (where medicines are injected into the vitreous of the eye to treat conditions like age-related macular degeneration or AMD). He remains an enthusiastic proponent of new technologies, such as the exciting Red Light Therapy for AMD.
As a high-volume surgeon who specialises in retinal and cataract surgery, Andrew is often asked to take on complex cases by colleagues. This includes issues like implant lens exchanges, ocular trauma, and eyes that have had difficult first procedures.
During his time in the NHS, he served as Clinical Service Director at Southampton General, playing a key role in establishing a chair of Ophthalmology there. He continues to act as a reviewer for grant applications and lectures regularly to optometrists and general practitioners. He now works full-time in the private sector.
Memberships: The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. Britain and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons. European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. European Society of Retinal Specialists.
Outside Sapphire? Andrew is a season ticket holder and long-term sufferer at Southampton Football Club. He is also a frustrated brass band player who knows his way around a cornet.
Mr Debendra Sahu - Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Debendra has a special interest in medical retinal disease and cataract surgery. He started his training at the London Hospital Medical College, before going on to specialty training at King’s College Hospital in London, the Sussex Eye Hospital and the Southampton Eye Unit.
Debendra regularly trains eye surgeons in cataract surgery, intravitreal injections and clinical practice, and he is the college tutor for ophthalmology at the Southampton Eye Unit. He is also involved with overseas charity work, having previously undertaken eye camps in Burma.
Memberships: The American Academy of Ophthalmology. The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. The Royal College of Surgeons. Euretina.
Outside Sapphire? In his spare time Debendra enjoys badminton, cycling and walks in the New Forest.
Ms Nishani Amerasinghe - Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Nishani graduated from St Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London in 1998. She then started her ophthalmology career at the highly-regarded Southampton and Portsmouth hospitals, with an advanced specialty training programme in glaucoma.
She was selected for a prestigious Clinical Glaucoma Research Fellowship at the internationally-renowned Singapore national Eye Centre, and a Clinical Glaucoma Fellowship at Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. She received a number of awards and scholarships during her training, in recognition for her sustained clinical and academic excellence.
Nishani also works as a Consultant at the University Hospital Southampton. She is a highly respected expert in the latest surgical, diagnostic and management techniques in ophthalmology, and is passionate about ensuring that patients receive the very best practice care. She aims to provide personalised, rapid and reliable care to all her patients.
Memberships: General Medical Council. Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. British Medical Association. UK & Eire Glaucoma Society.
Outside Sapphire? Nishani is happily married with three small children who keep her very busy outside work. They all love to travel, and gain much enjoyment from their adventures around the world (particularly skiing). The other big family love is food; Nishani enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Jonny Husband - Managing Director
Jonny spent 10 years working for Nuffield Health, in various leadership roles, followed by two years as Hospital Director at one of the flagship eye hospitals in London’s Harley Street district. He joined Sapphire Eye Care in 2018 to provide overall leadership to the team, and to deliver on our clear vision of providing world class eye healthcare whilst putting our patients at the heart of everything we do.
Outside Sapphire? Jonny is a family man first and foremost. In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his three adorable children and equally adorable wife, Georgina.
Jane King - Ophthalmic Nurse Specialist
Jane joined the NHS in 1987 training to become an Operating Department Assistant. She went on to qualify as a Registered General Nurse in 1992, completing further study to become an Ophthalmic Nurse in 1996. She has worked closely with Mr Andrew Luff since 1997 and is regarded at Sapphire Eye Care as his “right hand woman”! Jane is key to the success of Sapphire.
Throughout her career Jane has been dedicated in providing patients with the highest quality and individualised care. Her knowledge and experience of hands-on cataract, refractive and vitreoretinal nursing is unmatched and this is reflected in the demand for her to teach.
Having qualified in 2014 as a Counsellor, Jane continues to work part-time in the NHS supporting patients with anxiety and depression. She is genuinely committed to caring for all Sapphire Eye Care patients with empathy, understanding and discretion.
Jane appreciates time spent with her family and when the opportunity arises she likes to unwind and follow the beat at her Zumba classes.
Sally-Anne Laing - Practice Manager
Sally-Anne joined Sapphire Eye Care in 2018, having successfully managed another private healthcare practice for 12 years.
Sally-Anne is passionate about patient care and strives to ensure the patient journey with Sapphire is truly tailored to the individual needs of patients. She works closely with all the consultants and the business team, and is responsible for developing new processes and ensuring the smooth running of the team at Sapphire Eye Care.
Outside Sapphire? To the disappointment of her husband and two daughters, Sally-Anne’s true love in life is her cocker spaniel, Archie.
Tracey Dewane - Medical Secretary
Tracey joined Sapphire in 2012 and is experienced in all areas of the practice, both administrative and financial. Tracey’s knowledge, commitment and adaptability provide our patients and the practice with the highest level of support. Tracey has been instrumental in the successful development of our medical retinal service.
Outside Sapphire? Tracey loves family life, especially spending time with her two grandchildren. But she also loves to escape for a weekend where no-one knows where she is going!
Debby Wheelhouse - Medical Secretary
Debby is a highly valued part of what makes Sapphire tick. She is known as the “Office Guru”, thanks to her seemingly bottomless knowledge of eye care and patient needs.
She has worked for Andrew for more years than she can count on her fingers, and enjoys looking after the day-to-day questions and queries that patients bring to us.
Outside Sapphire? Debby adores anything Disney and the mention of Kevin Costner makes her weak at the knees.
Sandra Hickman – Business / Financial Administrator
Sandra has held the position of Business / Financial Administrator for Sapphire since 2006. Her hard work, diligence and attention to detail ensure the highest quality service to our patients and the practice.
Sandra is committed to supporting patients and the team, and is available to assist with any queries patients have.
Outside Sapphire? Sandra thrives on travelling to exotic and faraway countries and only wishes her beloved cat, Mya, could travel with her.
