Meet The Equine Eye Clinic Team
The Equine Eye Clinics ophthalmology team is headed up by Tim Knott working along side David Nutbrown-Hughes. They are both experienced ophthalmologists, holders of the Certificate in Veterinary Ophthalmology and recognised teachers in clinical Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Bristol Veterinary School. Tim and David were joined by Dr Sarah Beardall who joined them from the Animal Health Trust. Sarah is an RCVS advanced Practioner in Veterinary Ophthalmology and has a career spanning passion for the art and science of Equine Ophthalmology. The clinic is based in the Rowe Equine clinic in Wotton under Edge where Massey does her best to keep Tim organised as administrator of the Equine Eye Clinic. The Rowe Equine team also provides the skills and expertise of their equine veterinarian colleagues Nelson Rowe and his team are readily available and relied upon greatly by the ophthalmology team.
The Ophthalmologists
Tim Knott
Head of the Ophthalmology Team
Tim graduated from the University of Bristol in the beautiful south west of England in 1995. Tim always wanted to be James Herriot but caught the ophthalmology bug in his first year at vet School. He tried balancing the demands of general mixed practice and his growing interest for ophthalmology for the first 5 years of his career before finally realising that cleaning cow manure from under his finger nails before intra-ocular surgery was not in his or his patient’s best interests. Tim set up a dedicated private ophthalmic referral practice, Rowe Referrals eye clinic, in 2000 followed by the equine ophthalmology consultancy service, the Equine Eye Clinic, in 2003.
Early on in his career he realised that the biggest impact we can make on the health of our patients is by teaching. To this end he is proud to have served on the board of the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists for over 10 years where is currently the senior vice Chairman, he both examined and organised the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in ophthalmology for 7 years and is a member of the board of the International Equine Ophthalmology Consortium - the IEOC. Tim also organises and helps to provide the British Equine Veterinary Association post graduate equine ophthalmology teaching for the UK. His ophthalmology mentor at Bristol was Professor Sheila Crispin and it was not long after Sheila’s retirement that, with great pleasure, Tim returned to Bristol University to take over the clinical Ophthalmology teaching in 2008 where he is currently an honorary teaching fellow.
David Nutbrown-Hughes
Ophthalmic Surgeon
Sarah Beardall
Ophthalmic Surgeon
David graduated from Bristol with Tim in 1995. Mentored by Professor Sheila Crispin David caught the ophthalmology bug as did others from their year leading him to gain his RCVS certificate in Ophthalmology at a similar time to Tim. David has worked with many animals from owls to seals but has always used his ophthalmology certificate. The eye clinic is very pleased to welcome our newest ophthalmologist to the team. David is an active committee member of the British Association of Veterinary Ophthalmologists, a recognised clinical teacher in Veterinary Ophthalmology at Bristol and is working towards his Fellowship.
The Rowe Equine Team
Thomasia Rowe
BSc (Hons)
Director & Practice Manager
Thomasia (Massey) attended Hartpury College gaining a degree in Equine Science in 2001; she then worked in point-to-point and hunting yards and enjoys teaching at Pony Club camp each year. Massey joined the Rowe Veterinary Group in 2005 where she worked alongside Tim and Elena as Head Receptionist and administrator for the Rowe Referrals Eye Unit and the Equine Eye Clinic until the formation of a the dedicated Equine practice she now runs with Nelson, Rowe Equine Ltd. Tim was immensely relieved when Massey agreed to continue being administrator for the Equine Eye Clinic when it to became a separate business in 2011.
Nelson Rowe
BVM&S CertEP MRCVS
Director & Veterinary Surgeon
Nelson qualified from The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Edinburgh in 2003. From there he went to work for a practice in Somerset before taking an equine position at Rowe Veterinary Group where he became partner in charge of the equine practice in 2010. Nelson and Massey took on the Equine Practice when it separated from the Rowe Vet Group in 2011 continuing the proud Rowe equine veterinary tradition started when Nelson's grandfather put up his plate in Wotton Under Edge in 1944 and continued by his father Richard and his Aunt Helen both equine partners at the Rowe Vet Group for many years. Nelson holds the Royal College Certificate in Equine Practice and has a keen interest in equine ophthalmology. He is a keen horseman who hunts and competes in Open Team Chases. He is also a successful racing driver.
Richard Rowe
BVMS MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon
Richard brings over 40 years of Veterinary experience with him to Rowe Equine. Richard has kept, bred and treated horses all of his working life and has worked extensively in the local equine community throughout this time.
Sarah's background is as an Equine General Practioner in the USA. Her passion for ophthalmology took her to the world renowned Animal Health trust and finally to the Equine Eye Clinic and Rowe Referrals in Bristol.