A new book co-authored by Professor Gerard Sutton of Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood, has recently been launched. Entitled ‘Keratoconus – a User’s Manual’, this is a ‘must have’ for anyone who suffers from keratoconus, or knows someone who does. It will help people understand the everyday implications of the disorder.

Subtitled ‘ From glasses to corneal grafts – and everything in between’, you can purchase a copy of it by clicking here. All proceeds go directly to research on keratoconus at the University of Sydney.

Dr Chauhan (second from left) and the Vision Eye Institute team

Vision Eye Institute is pleased to announce a partnership with the Australian chapters of Rotary International. Our combined mission – to fight the progress of macular degeneration by ensuring that as many people as possible over the age of 50 self-test using an Amsler Grid. (The sooner macular degeneration is detected, the better chance there is to slow the progress of the disease).

Our partnership was officially launched at the District 9790 Conference on 23rd March. Our stand at the Rotary District 9790 Conference (pictured left) was particularly successful. Amsler Grids were handed out, along with information about macular degeneration, while the fruit and vegetable box served as a reminder to all attendees that a diet high in leafy greens and other brightly colours fruit and vegetables play an important part in eye health (as does quitting smoking). The highlight of the Conference was a lecture to over 700 Rotarians Dr Devinder Chauhan, retinal specialist at Vision Eye Institute in Melbourne.

 Distribution of the Amsler Grids is being undertaken at Craft and Sewing Shows around the country, with the first ones held from 8th-11th March in Brisbane, and on 22nd-25th March in Sydney. Promotion at Craft and Sewing Shows continues throughout 2012 in Melbourne, Townsville, and Newcastle. on Thursday 8th March at the annual Sydney Craft and Sewing Show, where Vision Eye Institute and Rotary staff joined forces to educate Australians on macular degeneration.

To date nearly 45,000 co-branded Amsler Grids have been distributed at these Expos, Shows and Conferences, and a number of the Rotary Clubs in District 9790 have expressed an interest in providing education sessions at the local level.

On Friday, 16 March, Dr Patrick Versace of Vision Eye Institute appeared on A Current Affair. The segment outlined age related vision loss, reading glasses and the importance of regular eye tests.

Click on the image to view the segment.

The femtosecond cataract laser situated at Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood, has now been used for over 1000 cataract and refractive lens exchange procedures. This makes the clinic the busiest in the world using this breakthrough technology.

Although situated in Chatswood, ophthalmologists from each Vision Eye Institute NSW clinic bring patients to the clinic in order to utilise the femtosecond laser. They do this because it’s in their patients best interests.

Dr Michael Lawless, who performed the first laser cataract procedure in the Southern Hemisphere, says that this is a significant milestone in the history of Vision Eye Institute. “Our cataract surgeons in Sydney now use this technology almost exclusively for the procedure. Here in Sydney, we’re part of a select group of ophthalmologists who are helping to make cataract and lens surgery safer .” says Dr Lawless. “We’re very proud to be leading the way.”

The surgeons at Vision Eye Institute who perform laser cataract surgery are once again pioneers in their field, having previously led the way with a number of highly significant advances in Australia for over 20 years.

A ‘feel good’ story – a giant panda has successfully undergone cataract surgery in China. Hats off to the Chinese ophthalmic team who performed the surgery, including providing the panda with an intraocular lens. Click here or on the image to see the story.

Fox News in the US recently ran a segment outlining the benefits of laser cataract surgery. Click on the image below to view.

Vision Eye Institute can provide vision correction for people of almost any age. 

Click on the image to view the segment.

Vision Eye Institute has been providing vision correction for 20 years. 

Click on the image to view the segment.

Vision Eye Institute provides all types of ophthalmic care. 

Click on the image to view the segment.

To view the segment on laser cataract surgery, featuring Dr Michael Lawless of Vision Eye Institute, click here.

To view the Today Tonight segment featuring Vision Eye Institute’s Dr Patrick Versace and Dr Paul Hughes, click on the video below.