Much of my research has focused on finding better ways to diagnose and treat infections of the cornea; the clear surface at the front of the eye. These infections, particularly fungal keratitis, can cause serious vision loss, especially in parts of the world where access to specialist care is limited. I’ve worked closely with international teams in Nepal and East Africa to understand how these infections are treated in real-world settings, and to improve outcomes through practical, evidence-based solutions. This has included leading a clinical trial comparing two commonly used antifungal eye drops and studying how different diagnostic tools, such as microscopes, imaging, and lab tests, perform in everyday practice.

In the UK, I’ve also helped to track the incidence of rarer eye infections like Acanthamoeba keratitis, and contributed to national and global efforts to reduce avoidable blindness. I continue to be involved in research and teaching through my role at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, where I help train the next generation of eye health professionals.

First or Senior Author

• Incidence of Acanthamoeba Keratitis in the United Kingdom in 2015: A Prospective National Survey. Jasim H, Grzeda M, Foot B, Tole D, Hoffman JJ.Cornea. 2024 43(3):269-276.

• Management of Filamentous Fungal Keratitis – a Pragmatic Approach. Hoffman JJ, Arunga S, Mohamed Ahmed AHA, Hu VH, Burton MJ. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Oct 11;8(10):1067.

• Diagnosis of Fungal Keratitis in Low-Income Countries: Evaluation of Smear Microscopy, Culture, and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Nepal.Hoffman JJ, Yadav R, Sanyam SD, Chaudhary P, Roshan A, Singh SK, Arunga S, Hu VH, Macleod D, Leck A, Burton MJ.  J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Sep 13;8(9):955.

• Delay in accessing definitive care for patients with microbial keratitis in Nepal. Hoffman JJ, Yadav R, Das Sanyam S, Chaudhary P, Roshan A, Singh SK, Mishra SK, Arunga S, Hu VH, Macleod D, Leck A, Burton MJ. Front Med (Lausanne). 2022 Jul 22;9:915293.

• Microbial Keratitis in Nepal: Predicting the Microbial Aetiology from Clinical Features. Hoffman JJ, Yadav R, Sanyam SD, Chaudhary P, Roshan A, Singh SK, Arunga S, Hu VH, Macleod D, Leck A, Burton MJ. J Fungi (Basel). 2022 Feb 19;8(2):201.

• Topical chlorhexidine 0·2% versus topical natamycin 5% for the treatment of fungal keratitis in Nepal: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Hoffman JJ, Yadav R, Sanyam SD, Chaudhary P, Roshan A, Singh SK, Singh SK, Mishra SK, Arunga S, Hu VH, Macleod D, Leck A, Burton MJ. Ophthalmology. 2021; Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34896126.

• Comparison of culture, confocal microscopy and PCR in routine hospital use for microbial keratitis diagnosis. Hoffman JJ, Dart JK, De SK, Carnt N, Cleary G, Hau S. Eye (Lond). 2021; Epub ahead of print. PMID: 34741122

• Mycotic Keratitis—A Global Threat from the Filamentous Fungi. Hoffman, JJ, Burton MJ, Leck A. Journal of Fungi. 2021; 7(4): 273.

• Topical chlorhexidine 0.2% versus topical natamycin 5% for fungal keratitis in Nepal: rationale and design of a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial. Hoffman JJ, et al. BMJ Open. 2020; 10(9): e038066.

• Understanding COVID-19: the virus. Hoffman JJ, Hoffman AE. Community Eye Health. 2020;33(109):5-9.

• Assault-related severe ocular chemical injury at a London ophthalmic referral hospital: a 3-year retrospective observational study. Hoffman JJ, Casswell EJ, Shortt AJ. BMJ Open. 2020 Oct 19;10(10):e038109.

• Viral diseases of the eye. Hoffman J, Foster A. Community Eye Health. 2020;33(108):65-67.

• Adenovirus: ocular manifestations. Hoffman J. Community Eye Health. 2020;33(108):73-75.

• Overview of antiviral medications used in ophthalmology. Hoffman J. Community Eye Health. 2020;33(108):85-88.

• 3D images as a field grader training tool for trachomatous trichiasis: A diagnostic accuracy study in Ethiopia. Hoffman JJ, Habtamu E, Rono H, Tadesse Z, Wondie T, Minas T, et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2019 Jan 24;13(1):e0007104–19.

• Changes in UK ophthalmology surgical training: analysis of cumulative surgical experience 2009-2015. Hoffman J, Spencer F, Ezra D, Day AC. BMJ Open. 2017 Oct 6;7(10):e018526.

• Use of in-vivo confocal microscopy to assess the association of dendritiform cells with progressive trachomatous conjunctival scarring. Hoffman J, Massae P, Weiss H, Makupa W, Burton M, Hu V. Lancet. 2017 Feb 23;389(Supplement 1):S47.

• Ocular surface disorders. Assessment and diagnosis: a rational approach. Hoffman J, Burton MJ. Community Eye Health. 2017;29(95):1–3.

• Common and important ocular surface conditions. Hoffman J, Burton MJ, Foster A.  Community Eye Health. 2017;29(95):50–1.

• Delayed intraocular lens dislocation following indirect trauma in a vitrectomised eye. Hoffman JJ, Alexander P. Clin Exp Optom. 2016;99(4):388–8.

• Telephone follow-up for cataract surgery: feasibility and patient satisfaction study. Hoffman J, Pelosini L. International J Health Care QA. 2016 May 9;29(4):407–16.

• What happens when one leaves soft contact lenses in for three weeks? A case of bilateral, severe pseudomonas keratitis from contact lenses purchased over the internet. Hoffman JJ, Pelosini L. Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2016;39(4):318–20.

• Gonococcal conjunctivitis: the importance of good-quality conjunctival swabs. Hoffman J, Ali B, Hoffman A, Sheikh I. Br J Gen Pract.; 2015;65(639):552–3.

• Painful ophthalmoplaegia secondary to orbital myositis. Hoffman J, Fayers T. BMJ Case Reports; 2015;2015:bcr2015210106.

• Gonococcus – The culprit of refractory, severe conjunctivitis in an elderly patient. Hoffman JJS, Ali B. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2015;38(6):468-70

• Venom ophthalmia from Naja mossambica in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: a reminder to all that for ocular chemical injury, dilution is the solution.Hoffman J. Tropical Doctor. 2015; 45(4):250-1.

• Trachoma: is the end in sight? Hoffman J, Watson MP. Expert Rev. Ophthalmol. 2013; 8(3), 303-309.

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• Contributing author

• Patients' perspective on the environmental impact of the severe dry eye disease healthcare pathway.

• Latham S, Boddy L, McClay T, Airaldi M, Borgia A, Cordos A, Madden A, Undan A, Hoffman J, Sibley D, Ahmad S, Kaye S, Lockington D, Rauz S. Eye (Lond).2025 Jun;39(9):1765-1771

• Improving polymerase chain reaction diagnostic rates for herpes simplex keratitis: results of a pilot study. Milligan AL, Hoffman JJ, Neo YN, Koay SY. Digit J Ophthalmol. 2024 Feb 12;30(1):1-4.

• Local Ugandan Production of Stable 0.2% Chlorhexidine Eye Drops. Picken CAR, Brocchini S, Burton MJ, Blundell-Hunter G, Kuguminkiriza D, Kaur H, Hoffman JJ, Arunga S, Mohamed-Ahmed AHA. Transl Vis Sci Technol. 2023 Jan 3;12(1):27.

• Perception and Challenges of Preventive Measures of COVID-19 Among Nepalese Frontline Health Professionals: An Unexplored Realism. Pathak KP, Sanyam SD, Gaire T, Basnet PB, Sah SK, Basnet BB, Pathak S, Ingman S, Hoffman JJ. Front Public Health. 2022 Jan 20;9:747070.

• The watery eye quality of life (WEQOL) questionnaire: a patient-reported outcome measure for surgically amenable epiphora. Schulz CB, Rainsbury P, Hoffman JJ, Ah-Kye L, Yang E, Malhotra R, Rogers S, Fayers P, Fayers T. Eye (Lond). 2022 Jul;36(7):1468-1475.

• Chlorhexidine gluconate 0.2% as a treatment for recalcitrant fungal keratitis in Uganda: a pilot study. Arunga S, Mbarak T, Ebong A, Mwesigye J, Kuguminkiriza D, Mohamed-Ahmed AHA, Hoffman JJ, Leck A, Hu V, Burton MJ. BMJ Open Ophthalmology. 2021;56(1):e000698.

• Knowledge and awareness-based survey of COVID-19 within the eye care profession in Nepal: Misinformation is hiding the truth. Sanyam SD, Sah SK, Chaudhary P, Burton MJ, Hoffman JJ. PLoS One. 2021 Jul 21;16(7):e0254761.

• Protecting yourself and your patients from COVID-19 in eye care. Hu VH, Watts E, Burton M, Kyari F, Mathenge C, Heidary F, Hoffman J, Wolvaardt E. Community Eye Health. 2020;33(108):S1-S6. Epub 2020 Mar 30.

• The Etiology, Therapy Outcomes and Clinical Predictors among Patients Attending Low Vision Clinics at a tertiary Ophthalmic Referral Center in Tanzania. Amisse CP, Hoffman J, Makupa W. Acta Scientific Ophthalmology. 2020; 3. 83-88.

• Acanthamoeba keratitis: confirmation of the UK outbreak and a prospective case-control study identifying contributing risk factors. Carnt N, Hoffman JJ, Verma S, Hau S, Radford CF, Minassian DC, et al. Br J Ophthalmol. 2018 Dec;102(12):1621–8.

• Pigmented spherical body floating within the globe. Hassan AS, Hoffman J, Kirthi V. BMJ Case Reports. 2016;2016:bcr2015212050.

• A case of presumed post-traumatic pneumocephalus. Kirthi V, Tavare AN, Hoffman J, Pelosini L. BMJ Case Reports. 2015;bcr2015210480–2.

• A case of dry eye secondary to ocular ischemic syndrome due to carotid artery occlusion. Perera S, Ali H, Hoffman J, Ceccherini A. Contact Lens and Anterior Eye. 2015;38(3):226-7.

• A red eye from carotid stenosis. Perera S, Ali H, Hoffman J, Ceccherini A, Jose S, Tyler K. BMJ. 2016;i364–1.

• Vitamin D and Sun Exposure: To bare all or cover up? Hughes A, Hoffman J, Hoffman A. Expert Rev. Dermatol. 2012; 7(6), 495–497.

Book chapter

• Infectious Conjunctivitis. Peyman’s Principles and Practice of Ophthalmology. Hoffman JJ, Burton MJ. Prajna NV (Ed). Delhi, Jaypee Brothers. 2018; 1: 382-399.

• Bron Award – First Prize (2022) The Medical Contact Lens & Ocular Surface Association (MCLOSA)

• EuCornea Poster Prize – shortlisted poster (2017) EuCornea

• Best Research Poster Prize (2017) London School of Ophthalmology

• Collin Scholarship (2016) British Oculoplastic Surgery Society

• National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Academic Clinical Fellowship (2015-18)

• Leadership Project Exhibition – 2nd Prize (2015) Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust

• KSS Trainee Awards Day – 2nd Prize (2013) Kent, Surrey, Sussex Deanery

• Abbey “1 UCL” Excellence / Endeavour Award for my work as Treasurer for the UCL Medical School Charity “SPECTRUM”, which provides respite care for children with disabilities. (2008) University College London

Outside of work, I have a longstanding interest in travel, expeditions, and the outdoors. I enjoy scuba diving, skiing, and tennis, and I’m particularly enthusiastic about off-road driving and restoring classic Land Rovers. These activities offer a great balance to clinical life and often go hand-in-hand with another passion of mine, photography. Whether exploring remote landscapes or capturing everyday moments, I find these experiences both grounding and inspiring.

I live in Buckinghamshire with my wife, children, and our energetic dog, and we make the most of the Chiltern Hills whenever we can.