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Consultant interview - Miss Swan Kang

King, Swan

Miss Swan Kang is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Training Director and the Audit Lead for the Adnexal department at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Moorfields Private Hospital, specialising in management of conditions affecting the eyelids and tear ducts. She has specific expertise in eyelid lumps assessment and treatment, blepharoplasty, eyelid surgery and watery eye management.

Miss Kang holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biochemistry (Molecular and Cellular) from University of Oxford and graduated from University College London Medical School. She completed two prestigious fellowships in oculoplastic surgery at Moorfields Eye Hospital following her Ophthalmology training in highly competitive North London deanery.

She is a member of the British Oculoplastic Surgery Society, a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, and a member of the Faculty of Clinical Informatics.

What are your areas of expertise?

  • Eyelid lumps
  • Chalazion and styes
  • Blepharoplasty
  • Droopy eyelids (ptosis)
  • Out/in-turning eyelids (ectropion/entropion)
  • Eyelid and facial wrinkles and lines
  • Watery eye
  • Dry eyes, blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction
  • Thyroid eye disease

Why do patients come to see you?

I pride myself in delivering tailored and empathetic care to each patient. My patients often comment on my professional yet friendly approach. My priority is to understand patients’ concerns and wishes and discuss treatment options in an open and honest manner. I pay meticulous attention to detail when providing treatments.

Are you involved in research projects?

I am the principal investigator of an innovative project called Face AI, for which I have been awarded a prestigious Moorfields Eye Charity research grant. This project aims to develop artificial intelligence algorithms for automatic detection of eyelid and facial abnormalities which aid diagnosis and enhance patient management. The research will allow us to capture subtle changes affecting the eyelids and faces with high precision beyond the capability of current manual methods. I am also active in the clinical research for thyroid eye disease and have previously conducted a study, funded by Fight for Sight charity, on the use of a novel technology (anterior segment OCT) to derive early markers of thyroid eye disease. I have published highly regarded Cochrane Reviews on treatments of thyroid eye disease. In my role as the lead for Digital Medicine in Adnexal department, I lead multiple research projects focusing on the safe and efficacious delivery of healthcare using technology to improve patient experience. I am also involved in projects to reduce health inequality by improving engagement with digitally excluded and isolated patients.

How does your scientific research benefit your clinical practice?

The Face AI project is the type of cutting-edge research that could revolutionise how we assess a variety of medical conditions affecting eyelids and face. It will enable rapid evaluation of facial pathologies with supra-human precision. It is anticipated that AI-assisted facial measurements will create more sensitive markers that will improve patient outcomes.

My research into thyroid eye disease has enabled me to gain deep understanding of the pathophysiology and management of the disease to improve care for those affected by the condition.