Mr Mark Costen


BSc, MB BS, FRCOphth
Mr Mark Costen


Consultant Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Vitreoretinal Surgeon

I have been a Consultant Ophthalmologist in Hull specialising in vitreoretinal surgery for 19 years. I have been fortunate to undergo my specialist training initially in Southampton, followed by a fellowship in Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. I have gained extensive experience in managing a wide variety of retinal disorders as well as complex cataract surgery. Over the years I have trained a number of fellows in retinal surgery, who have gone on to take up consultant positions in other hospitals.

I specialise in all forms of retinal and vitreous surgery including macular hole, vitreomacular traction syndrome, epiretinal membrane, retinal detachment, diabetic eye disease, vitreous haemorrhage, vitreous floaters, eye trauma and complications of cataract surgery.

I am also a highly experienced cataract surgeon and surgical trainer.

To date, I have performed over 6,000 cataract operations and 3,000 vitreoretinal procedures over a 17 year period in both my NHS and private practice.

I was previously Joint Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

I have previously been College Tutor for six years, and am currently a regular fellowship examiner for the Royal College of Ophthalmologists. I am also a senior clinical tutor for the Hull York Medical School.

Within the Vitreoretinal service in HUTH, we are involved in a number of clinical trials. I have been Principal Investigator for a number of these including the MERLOT trial for brachytherapy in wet macular degeneration, the ASCOT study investigating the role of adjunctive steroid in posterior segment trauma, the TAPAS study into the role of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) and gas tamponade in the treatment of submacular haemorrhage.

Currently I am principal investigator for the EVIAN trial into early vitrectomy in patients with endophthalmitis (infection within the eye).

  • BSc (1st class)
  • MB BS
  • FRCOphth

Member of

  • RCOphth Cataract Service Standards Working Group from March 2024
  • BEAVRS (British and Eire Association of Vitreroretinal Surgeons)
  • American Academy of Ophthalmology
  • BMA

  • London hospital medical college 1987-1993
  • Specialist registrar ophthalmology training -Wessex deanery 1999-2003
  • Moorfields vitreoretinal fellowship-2003-2004

  • NIHR Refresher September 2021
  • Professional membership-GMC 401323

  • Consultant Ophthalmologist
    Hull & East Yorkshire Eye Hospital
    Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
  • Joint Clinical Lead for Ophthalmology HUTH (shared with Miss Hoda Amin)
  • Joint Network Chair HNY Elective Ophthalmology Network (Appointed July 2023)

  • I am currently joint clinical lead for the department. I am a fellowship examiner for the RCOphth, and clinical tutor for HYMS medical students.
  • Experienced Surgical Trainer – Regular involvement in HILS Ophthalmic simulation courses.
  • BEAVRS Vitreoretinal Surgical Training Faculty.
  • Previous RCOphth College Tutor.
  • I am on the European School for Advanced Studies in Ophthalmology (ESASO) training faculty.

  • BSc in Anatomical Science and Neuroscience (with extension 1990 – 91)
  • Principle Investigator for MERLOT trial of Epimacular Brachytherapy in wet AMD 2010 – 2013.
  • Principal Investigator for ASCOT trial of adjunctive steroid in ocular trauma 2015 – 2020
  • Principal Investigator to TAPAS trial of tPA and gas in patients with submacular haemorrhage 2017-2020
  • Principal Investigator for EVIAN trial of early vitrectomy in endophthalmitis 2021 - 2024

  • Helped to establish and refine ambulatory vitreoretinal surgical pathway under predominantly local anaesthesia, since commencement in post 2005/2006.
  • Implementation group for Femtolaser Assisted Phacoemulsification Surgery (FLACS) in Hull 2019. Involved in pathway redesign and refinement. Presented at UKOA virtual meeting October 2021.
  • Established virtual vitreoretinal clinic pathway (VR00V) for screening and monitoring of selected surgical retina patients 2020.
  • Working alongside Ahmed Abdelmaksoud and Colin Vize, involved in digitising the cataract care pathway in HUTH and meeting National Ophthalmology Database requirements.

  1. Jackson TL, Soare C, Petrarca C, et al. Evaluation of Month-24 Efficacy and Safety of Epimacular Brachytherapy for Previously Treated Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration: The MERLOT Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Ophthalmol 2020;138:835-42.
  2. Ellabban AA, Patil AD, Costen MT, Babar AR. Central retinal artery occlusion during vitrectomy: Immediate retinal revascularization following induction of posterior vitreous detachment. Am J Ophthalmol Case Rep 2018;9:38-40.
  3. Nicod E, Jackson TL, Grimaccia F, et al. Direct cost of pars plana vitrectomy for the treatment of macular hole, epiretinal membrane and vitreomacular traction: a bottom-up approach. Eur J Health Econ 2016;17:991-9.
  4. Khan RS, Khan KN, Costen MT. Surgical management of macular holes: a national survey of current UK practice. Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:553-4.
  5. Madgula IM, Costen M. Functional outcome and patient preferences following combined phaco-vitrectomy for macular hole without prone posturing. Eye (Lond) 2008;22:1050-3.
  6. Jackson TL, Hussain A, Morley AM, et al. Scleral hydraulic conductivity and macromolecular diffusion in patients with uveal effusion syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2008;49:5033-40.
  7. Costen MT, Williams CP, Asteriades S, Luff AJ. An unusual maculopathy after routine cataract surgery. Eye (Lond) 2007;21:1416-8.
  8. Costen MT, Newsom RS, Wainwright AC, Luff AJ, Canning CR. Expanding role of local anaesthesia in vitreoretinal surgery. Eye (Lond) 2005;19:755-61.
  9. Costen MT, Parkin BT, Davison CR, Crick MP. Central serous chorioretinopathy and antiphospholipid antibodies--results of a pilot study. Eye (Lond) 2004;18:938.
  10. Costen MT, Newsom RS, Parkin B, et al. Effect of video display on the grading of diabetic retinopathy. Eye (Lond) 2004;18:169-74.
  11. Costen MT, Bolton K, Boase DL. A lash foreign body complicating subtenon's anaesthesia. Eye (Lond) 2004;18:192; discussion -3.
  12. Parkin B, Shuttleworth G, Costen M, Davison C. A comparison of stereoscopic and monoscopic evaluation of optic disc topography using a digital optic disc stereo camera. Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:1347-51.
  13. Newsom RS, Clover A, Costen MT, et al. Effect of digital image compression on screening for diabetic retinopathy. Br J Ophthalmol 2001;85:799-802.
  14. Costen MT, Harrison A, Crick MP. Bilateral reactive subretinal abscesses following S. pyogenes septicaemia. Eye (Lond) 2001;15:561-2.
  15. Costen MT, Olson JA. Central serous chorioretinopathy may be a manifestation of the primary antiphospholipid syndrome. Br J Ophthalmol 2000;84:667.
  16. Costen MT, Donaldson WB, Olson JA. Acute central retinal vein occlusion successfully treated with intravenous thrombolysis. Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:1196-7.
  17. Costen M. Laser Photocoagulation of the Retina and Choroid. Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:1096E.

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