Hemchandra Kanji Mehta Known as ‘Hemant’ to his family, friends and colleagues, was a consultant ophthalmic surgeon for the Gwynedd Health Authority, Wales. He was born in Gujarat, India, where his father was the personal tutor to a prince but, when Hemant was just six months old, the family moved to Tanganyika in East Africa. His father took up a post as a headmaster of a school and Hemant spent his formative years there, along with his five siblings. He returned to India for his higher education, where he excelled academically and in sports, playing cricket for the University of Baroda. He qualified as a doctor in 1958 with honours from Grant Medical College in Bombay. He met and married Min, a fellow medical undergraduate at the Baroda Medical College. They both moved to UK for postgraduate training: Hemant trained to be an ophthalmologist and Min a gynaecologist. Hemant’s academic achievements as an undergraduate and hard work gave him the opportunity to train at the Royal Eye Hospital in London under Arnold Sorsby, an eminent ophthalmologist, followed by postings as a registrar in Birmingham and as a senior registrar in Cardiff. On completing his higher training, in 1968 Hemant was appointed as a consultant ophthalmic surgeon to the Gwynedd Health Authority, north Wales, a post he held with great distinction, gaining recognition locally, nationally and internationally until his retirement from the NHS in 1992. Hemant became well known amongst his colleagues, rapidly gaining respect amongst his patients, colleagues and peers as an able ophthalmologist, skilled surgeon and a visionary innovator of surgical techniques and treatment. Dedication to his chosen specialty resulted in patients from the region and beyond seeking help, advice and treatment. Good application of knowledge and skills acquired over the years, together with his unique ability to research and write papers and his talents in clinical photography and medical illustration resulted in many well received publications in peer reviewed journals, chapters in text books and invitations to present papers and conduct workshops at many national and international academic meetings. Many of his earlier publications were made before digital photography and word processing and are a testament to Hemant’s commitment to teaching and a tireless desire to share his ideas. He often talked about the need for clinicians to be good innovators, seeking to improve on the existing techniques, which he compared to designing ‘a better mouse trap than the last one’. The pioneering steps taken by Hemant from a small peripheral eye unit to introduce day care eye surgery, use local anaesthetic in ocular and lid surgical procedures, and blend mainstream plastic surgical techniques into the day-to-day ophthalmic surgical repertoire were revolutionary at that time and have now been accepted as routine in almost all eye units. It is not surprising that, in recognition of his many contributions, Hemant received an A+ merit award as a consultant serving in the NHS. He was also due to be honoured with the prestigious star gold medal at the 18th International Congress on Advances in Ophthalmology, but the award ceremony planned for May 2020 was sadly postponed due to the covid pandemic. Hemant had many interests, including photography, both western and Indian classical music, and sports, especially cricket. He and Min travelled widely, and both took up photography, especially wildlife photography, resulting in invitations to speak at many meetings nationally and internationally. Many of their photographs were exhibited, winning commendations, awards and prizes. Hemant was made a fellow of the Royal Photographic Society. Hemant died peacefully in his sleep at home on 16 November 2020 aged 89. He was survived by Min, his soulmate, colleague and an able clinician in her own right, three very affectionate daughters and their spouses and five loving grandchildren, all of whom made Hemant very happy and proud. Hemant, a consummate ophthalmologist who made significant contributions to his chosen vocation as a teacher, a gifted clinician, visionary innovator, a good colleague, and a great friend will be much missed but never forgotten.