Professor David Maggs brings global ophthalmology expertise to BVA Live 2026
Veterinary ophthalmology will be in the spotlight at BVA Live 2026, as internationally recognised specialist Professor David Maggs joins the programme as the event’s first international keynote speaker.
Australian-trained and now Professor Emeritus at the University of California-Davis, Professor Maggs is widely known as lead author of Slatter’s Fundamentals of Veterinary Ophthalmology. At BVA Live 2026, he will bring more than three decades of expertise to a practical, case-led keynote designed to translate specialist knowledge into confident clinical decision-making.
In this interview, Professor Maggs discusses the diagnostic frameworks and ophthalmic pharmacology insights that can help vets navigate challenging cases, from non-healing corneal ulcers to treatment route selection.
Q: If you think back to your early days in practice, which eye cases do you wish someone had talked you through sooner?
A: This is such a pertinent question for me. I have a series of things that I call TIWIKIPs (things I wish I'd known in practice). I used to be what I call “a real vet”. I worked as a general practitioner - and often a mixed animal practitioner - for about five years before I became a specialist, much of which was in the UK. All my lectures are now directed at that audience, and they focus on the TIWIKIPs.
Q: Your keynote opens with your approach to non-healing corneal ulcers - cases that can quickly become frustrating in practice. How can reframing these as “complicated” cases help vets narrow the diagnosis and regain control?
A: This is a classic example of a TIWIKIP! I wish somebody had taught me at vet school that every ulcer should be classified as simple or complicated, then taught me the two or three common complications and how different they look from each other. Once we categorise an ulcer into one of these categories, treating them can basically be done on a “cookbook” approach. That's what we'll concentrate on in this lecture.
Q: Ocular pharmacology is full of nuance, from drops versus ointments to topical versus systemic therapy. What’s the most common prescribing misconception you see in dogs and cats that you’d most like to challenge?
A: For some reason, ophthalmic pharmacology is often made to sound really complex when it is incredibly simple. Things like whether to use a drop or an ointment, or—perhaps the most common issue—whether to treat using a systemic drug or a topical drug. Each of these medication routes delivers the drug to a totally different place in the eye. I would say one of the most common misconceptions is that eyes can be treated just like other tissues in the body. During this session, we'll talk about what makes eyes special and how to capitalise on that when choosing your drugs and delivery routes.
Q: You’ve spoken at conferences all over the world. As the first international keynote speaker at BVA Live, what are you most looking forward to about joining the event?
Yes, what an honour. I have had the good fortune to meet with audiences all around the globe, but there will be something special about being back in Britain, where years ago, the locals were so kind to me as a young locum who’d recently graduated from Australia. I think of it as perhaps a chance to say thank you, while also paying it forward to the next generation of veterinary medicine in the UK. I'm really looking forward to getting together with this audience!
For delegates at BVA Live 2026, Professor Maggs’ keynote offers the opportunity to hear from one of the most respected voices in veterinary ophthalmology and gain specialist-led insight with clear clinical relevance.
Looking to join us on 11-12 June at NEC Birmingham? Educational Bursaries are limited, request yours today.*