Dr. John Dominic Anthony McHugh is a Consultant Ophthalmologist in the King´s College Hospital, London. His research project leading to award of the Degree of Doctor in Medicine is "An Investigation into the Ophthalmic Applications of Semi-Conductor Diode Lasers" which was used to perform histological studies on the interactions of infrared laser radiation with ocular tissue. It was then followed by a number of pilot studies investigating the potential efficacy of diode laser photocoagulation of retinal vascular disease and glaucoma. Since then Dr. Hugh have maintained an interest in semi-conductor lasers, with further publications on the subject. He also performed research in a number of areas relating to vitreoretinal surgery, for example alternative methods of retina reattachment.

Dr. Hugh had an Allerton Vision Research Fellowship for Doctoral Project on 1987-1989. He was also given a LORS Grant for a Study of Transscleral Photocoagulation in January 1994-May 1994. He was a recipient of the Storz Prize in Ophthalmology in 1995 as well as the Military Academy Medal, St. Petersburg in 1996.