Dr Michael Lawless

MBBS, FRANZCO, FRACS

Dr Lawless is recognised throughout the world as an authority in laser eye surgery. His areas of specialisation are laser vision correction, cataract surgery, lens surgery, refractive lens exchange and corneal transplants. To date, he has performed well over 20,000 surgical procedures which include LASIK, ASLA (Advanced Surface Laser Ablation, PRK), refractive lens exchange (sometimes known as refractive lensectomy), cataract and lens surgery (including phakic intraocular lens surgery) and corneal transplant. Dr Lawless graduated in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1980 and completed his ophthalmology training in Sydney, which was followed by two years of sub-specialty education. This began with a corneal and external diseases Fellowship with Professor Doug Coster in Adelaide, followed by a second Fellowship in corneal and refractive surgery with Professor Richard Troutman at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York.

Professional credentials 

Dr Lawless has many industry firsts including:

• First Australian surgeon (and the third in the world) to perform cataract surgery with the femtosecond laser in Feb 2011
• Performed first LASIK procedure in Sydney (1995)
• President, International Society of Refractive Surgery, 2001.
• Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital, 2000-2006.
• Awarded Cedric Cohen Medal for Excellence in the Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists examination, 1982.
• Visiting Professor, University of Melbourne, 1998.
• Honour Award, American Academy of Ophthalmology for Services to Education in Ophthalmic Surgery, 1999.
• Founders Award from the International Society of Refractive Surgery, Chicago 2005.
• Frequently invited to be a Guest Lecturer to the world’s main scientific meetings. 
• Consultant ophthalmologist to the Australian Defence Force 
• Consultant ophthalmologist to the NSW Rugby Union.
• Over 70 publications in the peer reviewed scientific literature and 32 textbook chapters written on innovations in eye surgery.
• Selected to perform televised live surgery at international meetings, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology.