Dr Michael Lawless,  MBBS, FRANZCO, FRACS

Dr Lawless is recognised worldwide as an authority in laser eye surgery. He specialises in laser vision correction, cataract surgery, lens surgery (including refractive lens exchange) and corneal transplants.

He has performed over 20,000 surgical procedures which include LASIK, ASLA (Advanced Surface Laser Ablation, PRK), refractive lens exchange (sometimes known as refractive lensectomy), lens surgery (including phakic intraocular lens surgery) and corneal transplant.

Dr Lawless practices at Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood.

Background

Dr Lawless graduated in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1980, completed ophthalmology training in Sydney. This was followed by two years of sub-specialty education. First a corneal and external diseases Fellowship with Professor Doug Coster in Adelaide and then a second Fellowship in corneal and refractive surgery with Professor Richard Troutman at the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital in New York.

Professional Credentials

His career highlights include:

• First Australian surgeon (and the third in the world) to perform cataract surgery with the femtosecond laser in Feb 2011.
• Performed the first LASIK procedure in Sydney in 1995.
• President, International Society of Refractive Surgery, 2001.
• Chairman, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal North Shore Hospital, 2000-2006.
• Over 60 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.  

 His many awards include:

•  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.

Dr Lawless is frequently invited to be a Guest Lecturer to the world’s main scientific meetings. He is also consultant ophthalmologist to the Australian Defence Force and consultant ophthalmologist to the NSW Rugby Union.

Beyond Work

Dr Lawless is married with three teenage children and is a Shodan (black belt) in Goju Ryu karate. He currently trains in Aikido.