Eye Services

Department of Ophthalmology

The Department of Ophthalmology at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital is the largest Ophthalmology centre in the Southern Hemisphere. It offers the most comprehensive eye care service in Australia and provides a Statewide service within Victoria, plus subspecialty services both interstate and internationally.

Ophthalmologists using the most technologically advanced equipment and techniques perform around 6,000 cataract extractions a year and over 3,000 other Ophthalmology procedures, including Corneal, Glaucoma and Vitreo Retinal Surgery.  Around 80,000 Outpatients are seen annually.

Associated with the Hospital is the University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology which is included in the Centre of Eye Research Australia, based at the Hospital.

The Hospital is the centre for the training programme for Ophthalmology in Victoria and rotates Ophthalmologists in training out to ten other Hospitals either full time or part-time. In addition to the 23 Registrars in training the Hospital has 3 Senior Registrars and 8 Fellows.

At the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital the Medical Division is administered by the Medical Director and is assisted by the Director of Eye Services (University of Melbourne Professor of Ophthalmology) and a Professor/Director of Otolaryngology (Professor/Director of Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery). Each Clinic has a Head of Clinic and there is an Eye Section with a Chairman and Secretary.

The Hospital has a large range of Ophthalmology services including 5 General Ophthalmology Clinics and 14 subspecialty Clinics. In addition there are Physician Clinics, Anaesthetic Clinics and Pre Admission Clinics to support the work of the Ophthalmology service.

The Hospital has a substantial research base and facilities are available for Laboratory Research, Animal Research and Human Research. The Hospital has an active Human Research and Ethics Committee and Animal Research and Ethics Committee. As well as attracting external funds it has its own funds to support its research activities.

Undergraduate teaching of Medical Students from both Medical Schools in Melbourne and from the Optometry Undergraduate Programme is undertaken. There is also placement for students from the largest Orthoptics School in Australia for training purposes.

There is a weekly Alumni Meeting which attracts Ophthalmologists from all over Victoria and in addition to this there is a substantial postgraduate teaching programme in place. The Hospital works closely with the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists both in the selection of trainees and in the establishment of training goals for Registrars. 

There is an Eximer Laser service on site within the Hospital and extensive other laser facilities.

There is an on site Low Vision Service provided by Vision Australia and the Hospital provides a visiting service to Aged Care Facilities within Metropolitan Melbourne.

The Lions Eye Bank is based within the University Department at the Hospital and supports an active Corneal Unit.

Over 90% of the Retinal Surgery performed in the State of Victoria takes place at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and they are very active Medical and Surgical Retinal Units.

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