Cataract/Glaucoma/ Vitreoretinal/ Refractive/General
Dr Anil Arora is an ophthalmologist who has been practising in Central Coast and in Sydney since 1998. Dr Arora completed his medical degree through the University of Sydney in 1985 and after carrying out his internship and residency training at Royal North Shore, Westmead and Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals, he embarked on a career in ophthalmology. He was one of the first to complete a Masters of Medicine in Ophthalmology with a thesis on retinal electrophysiology and carried out five years of specialist training in ophthalmology from the Sydney Eye Hospital from 1988 to 1993.
In 1997 – 1998 Dr Arora completed a clinical fellowship in “Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous” from the University of Texas in Houston. He then began practicing on the Central Coast and Sydney’s North Shore and has established himself as a respected ophthalmologist and has performed surgeries on tens of thousands of patients over the past decade. He brought retinal surgery to Central Coast and this meant that patients no longer had to travel to Sydney for these procedures.
Dr Arora also saw the need for laser vision correction services on the Central Coast and carried out further postgraduate training in laser refractive surgery and was one of the first to obtain a Graduate Diploma in Medicine (Refractive Surgery) from the University of Sydney. He has established the Laser Vision Clinic Central Coast – a state-of-the-art laser refractive centre on the Central Coast.
Dr Arora has practices in Gosford, Long Jetty, Woy Woy and Wahroonga and is a Visiting Medical Officer at the Central Coast Day Hospital, Brisbane Waters Private Hospital and the Sydney Adventist Hospital and also at Gosford and Wyong Public Hospitals.
He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery.
Clinical interests include cataract surgery, particularly with multifocal intraocular lenses, retinal diseases and surgery and laser refractive surgery.
Extracurricular interests include squash and long-distance running (20 City-to-Surfs, 8 half-marathons and 3 full marathons so far). He also has in interest in ophthalmology in developing countries and in charity work. He sponsors 100 children in all parts of the world through World Vision and has been a member of Amnesty International for over 10 years.
General Ophthalmology, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
Dr Dan Brettell is an internationally-trained comprehensive ophthalmologist with interests in cataract surgery, treatment of glaucoma and diseases of the retina, as well as subspecialty training in plastic and reconstructive surgery of the eyelids.
Dan was raised in Wagga Wagga before moving to Sydney where he graduated in medicine from UNSW with Honours. He completed general medical training at Bankstown/Lidcombe and Campbelltown Hospitals before working across the state in a number of regional and rural areas. Dan furthered his study of ophthalmology with a Master’s degree in Ophthalmic Science at the University of Sydney, graduating top of his year.
Dan commenced training in Ophthalmology at Sydney Eye Hospital before completing a fellowship in Oculoplastic surgery in Hereford, UK. He has worked in Myanmar as part of the Myanmar Eye Care Program, and has conducted research into cataract surgery and patterns of skin cancers that affect the eyelids
Dan currently works at Coastwide Eye Surgery, and operates at Central Coast Day Hospital. He is also serving as a locum consultant at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals.
Dan has recently moved to the Central Coast with his young family, where he enjoys fishing, surfing and cycling.
Medical Retina/General/Cataract
Dr Raj Chalasani is a cataract surgeon and retinal specialist with an interest in femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery, management of cataract in the context of retinal disease, and macular diseases.
Raj was born and educated in Sydney. He completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of NSW, graduating with First Class Honours.
Following his internship and junior medical years at Concord Hospital in Sydney, Raj worked as a medical registrar at St-Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, and at Broken Hill Hospital and Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.
Raj did advanced specialist training in ophthalmology at two of Australia’s premier ophthalmic institutions – Sydney Eye Hospital and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. He also completed a comprehensive fellowship in Medical Retina at Bristol Eye Hospital, one of the longest established and best known ophthalmic hospitals in the United Kingdom. During this time he continued to develop his advanced cataract surgical skills.
Raj is a Fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists, and a Staff Specialist at Westmead Public Hospital. He is an experienced cataract surgeon, operating in both private and public hospital settings. He is experienced in the medical management of all aspects of retinal disease, and has been actively involved in a number of major international clinical trials researching diseases of the retina. He is also committed to teaching, and contributes to the training of medical students, optometrists and general practitioners.
Oculoplastics/Cataract/Macular /Diabetic Eye Disease/ Glaucoma/Laser surgery
Dr Chen completed his medical degree through University of New South Wales. After carrying out an internship at Westmead Hospital, Dr Chen was selected and fast tracked into accredited ophthalmic training at Sydney Eye Hospital. Upon completion of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology fellowship, Dr Chen furthered his speciality training as an Advanced Fellow in Vitreoretinal surgery. Dr Chen has been an examiner and mentor for trainee specialists and now practises exclusively on the Central Coast.
General/Cataract/Glaucoma/Medical Retina/Paediatrics
Dr Ross Ferrier is a General Ophthalmologist who undertook basic training in Medicine at the University of New South Wales. He then underwent Specialist Ophthalmology training based at Sydney Eye Hospital and spent time in the UK furthering his experience in General Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Dr Ferrier has appointments as a Visiting Medical Officer at Central Coast Local Health District‒ Gosford & Wyong District Hospitals and is responsible for screening premature babies at the Special Care Unit for Retinopathy of Prematurity.
Dr Ferrier cares for patients who have conditions such as Glaucoma, Cataract, Macular Degeneration, Complications of Diabetes, Medical Retinal disease, Disorders of the Tear Drainage System, Disorders of Eyelid Position, Pterygium. Dr Ferrier has a special interest in Strabismus (misalignment of the eyes) and children’s eye diseases.
Vitreoretinal/General
Adrian Fung is an Professor of Ophthalmology and specialist in vitreoretinal surgery, medical retina diseases and posterior segment tumours of the eye. He is Director of the Westmead Hospital Vitreoretinal Fellowship, where he teaches training surgeons and supervises post-doctoral research fellows. He is a chief investigator of the Bionic Eye Project and has been awarded two Masters degrees in Ophthalmic Science and Clinical Epidemiology from the University of Sydney. He has completed clinical and research fellowships at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver; Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital, New York; Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, Miami and Wills Eye Hospital, Philadelphia.
Professor Fung has published over 80 international peer-reviewed journal articles and 7 book or book chapters, including “Ophthalmic Clinical Examination” and “Vitreoretinal Surgery for Trainees” (http://www.ophthalmologytextbooks.com). He is Medical Retina Section Editor for the journal Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology and a reviewer for major ophthalmic journals including Ophthalmology, JAMA Ophthalmology and Retina. He has been invited to speak and teach at over 100 national and international meetings including in the USA, Canada, Austria, Budapest, Estonia, China, Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Laos, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. He has won awards for his contribution and was the first Australian vitreo-retinal surgeon to be admitted to the prestigious Macula Society in the USA.
Professor Fung is the course convenor for Ophthalmology Updates! (www.ophthalmologyupdates.com), one of the largest ophthalmology conferences held in Sydney each year. He sits on the Sydney Eye Hospital Alumni, Ophthalmic Research Institute of Australia, RANZCO Clinical Standards, ANZSRS Surgical Registry and APVRS Young Ophthalmologists committees. He is a member of RANZCO, ANZSRS, ORA, AAO, ASRS, ARVO, Macular Society, Vit-Buckle Society, Lifeline Express International Academy, ISOO, IRGIII, IntRIS, APAO and APVRS. He is an Asia Pacific Vitreoretinal Society Leadership Development Program Mentor.
Professor Fung’s interests include epiretinal membrane, macular hole, retinal detachment, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular occlusions and retinal and choroidal tumours. Second languages he speaks includes Mandarin and Cantonese. He works at Coastwide Eye Surgery.
Cataract/General/Glaucoma
Dr Jim Li is a general ophthalmologist who enjoys treating a wide variety of ocular diseases. Dr Li manages conditions including cataract, glaucoma, retinal diseases as well as paediatric eye diseases and squint.
Dr Li completed his medical degree through the University of Sydney with Honours and furthered his medical education with a Master of Medicine in Ophthalmic Sciences. He undertook ophthalmology training with Sydney Eye Hospital where he acquired comprehensive skills in paediatric and general ophthalmology. Dr Li undertook 12 months of training as the senior at Westmead Children’s Hospital where he worked with internationally renowned paediatric ophthalmologists, as well as 12 months as the senior at Royal North Shore Hospital where he managed adult and paediatric eye conditions of medically complex patients.
Dr Li has published his research in distinguished peer-reviewed ophthalmology literature as well as presented them at national and international conferences. He is the recipient of many university scholarships including the Geoff Hipwell Ophthalmology Award. Besides English Dr Li is fluent in Mandarin.
Cataract/Medical Retina
Associate Professor Hemal Mehta is a cataract surgeon and macula disease specialist with over 15 years experience.
He is available for consultations at the Gosford and Long Jetty sites of Central Coast Eye Specialists. He is at the forefront of retinal research globally and is involved in clinical trials of the latest therapies for macula disease.
He is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney and on the Steering Committee of the Fight Retinal Blindness! (FRB!) project aiming to optimise intravitreal injection therapy outcomes.
Hemal is on the Therapeutics Committee of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and on the Editorial Board of the Journal Eye. Hemal previously further specialised with medical retina and cataract surgery fellowships at Sydney Eye Hospital and Moorfields Eye Hospital.
Hemal has over 60 peer-reviewed publications including guidelines on the management of cataract in patients with diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
General/Cataract/Glaucoma/ Medical Retina
Dr Michael Minogue graduated with Honours from the University of New South Wales and trained in Ophthalmology at the Sydney Eye Hospital from year 1983 to 1986. Dr Minogue commenced private practice on the Central Coast in 1992. He is also a Visiting Medical Officer at Central Coast Day Hospital.
Cataract/Cornea/General
Dr Doug Parker is an ophthalmologist with international subspecialty training in corneal and cataract surgery, external eye disease management and laser vision correction. His background includes a PhD in the fields of gene therapy and high-risk corneal transplantation from Flinders University of South Australia, and involvement with the Fred Hollows Foundation in central Australia and the Pacific. He has completed a fellowship in corneal and refractive surgery at the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, and has published in international ophthalmic and scientific journals.
Dr Parker has a special interest in diseases of the cornea and external eye such as keratoconus, Fuchs’ corneal dystrophy, allergic eye disease, pterygium, dry eye and corneal infections. Dr Parker is experienced in all forms of corneal transplantation, including endothelial keratoplasty, and performs cataract surgery, collagen cross-linking, multifocal intraocular lens implantation, and laser vision correction.
Cataract/Vitreoretinal/ General
Dr Polya is a vitreoretinal surgeon and a medical retina specialist. He graduated from the Melbourne University Medical School, and completed ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. He completed a Master of Public Heath at the University of NSW with a thesis in Clinical Risk Management and Patient Safety.
Dr Polya completed the two year Michael Shae Fellowship in Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous at St Michael’s Hospital, affiliated with the University of Toronto in Canada, where he was chief fellow of the Department of Ophthalmology. During this fellowship, at Canada’s busiest retinal service, he also received further subspecialist experience in uveitis and ocular oncology.
Dan commenced private practice as the only vitreoretinal surgeon in the province of New Brunswick, Canada in 2007 and was appointed as a clinical lecturer in the Department of Ophthalmology at Dalhousie University. He has performed thousands of surgeries for cataract and retinal disorders, and has performed many thousands of intravitreal injections and laser procedures. He has been involved in the teaching and training of ophthalmology residents, medical students, general practitioners, optometrists and optometry students.
Dan has been involved in clinical trials for macular degeneration and has been active in research into diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, macular degeneration and sutureless vitrectomy surgery. He has authored and co-authored multiple published manuscripts in international journals and a book chapter on sutureless vitrectomy. He has presented at several international ophthalmic meetings, and has been an invited speaker at other professional meetings.
He is a fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retina Specialists, Oceania Retina Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Society of Retina Specialists, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Canadian Retina Society, and Australian Medical Association.
His special clinical interests are in small-gauge vitrectomy surgery for retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole and epiretinal membrane; and intravitreal and laser therapy for age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal vascular occlusions.
He operates privately at Central Coast Day Hospital.
General/Cataract/Glaucoma
Dr Brad Townend enjoys living and working on the Central Coast with his wife and children. He completed his medical degree with honours at the University of NSW and went on to subsequently complete a Masters degree in Public Health at UNSW. Following this Brad completed a Masters degree in Ophthalmic science at the University of Sydney. He worked for a number of years at Gosford, Wyong and John Hunter Hospitals before completing 6 years of extensive eye training through Sydney Eye Hospital. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, and a member of the Australian Cataract and Refractive Surgery Association.
Brad is a Clinical Associate Lecturer in Ophthalmology at the University of Sydney and has done extensive research into various aspects of ophthalmology, including the identification of a number of risk factors for cataract formation. This research has been published in a number of international ophthalmology journals. Brad also has an interest in how nutrition can play a role in the formation and protection of eye disease.
Recently, Brad took 6 months ‘off work’ and worked for the Fred Hollows Foundation in Nepal, the Pacific islands and Alice Springs. He was able to contribute to the eye health of thousands of patients in under-privileged areas during this time and learned a lot about the world, ophthalmology and himself during this adventure!
Brad is currently in private practice in both Erina and Wyong, and serves as an ophthalmologist at both Gosford and Wyong public hospitals. He operates at Central Coast Day Hospital, Berkeley Vale Private Hospital and both Gosford and Wyong public hospitals. Brad plays on the Gosford Hospital basketball team and enjoys the saxaphone, cricket and cycling. He is soon to undertake a ride of the Great Ocean Road in Victoria for charity.