For Patients and Visitors
What is the Ophthalmology Service?
The Ophthalmology service at Northern Health caters for select eye surgical procedures. They are involved in assessment, diagnosing, prevention, and surgical and medical management of eye conditions in adults aged 18 years and over only. They work in a team with the orthoptic staff to provide vision care. The main service we provide is cataract surgery but we can also assist with pterygiun and eye lid procedures. The Ophthalmology Service is open Monday to Friday, 8.30 am to 5 pm.
What can I expect from the service?
- You will first be seen by the Orthoptist, and then the Eye specialist (ophthalmologist).
- The ophthalmologist will perform a full eye examination and analyse the test results.
- Standard consultations will generally require drops to be placed in your eyes for thorough examination.
- An interpreter can be provided if required.
- Management plan will be discussed with you including surgery, if needed.
- Allow up to two to three hours for your clinic visit as you will be seeing two specialists and having your eye tests done on the same day.
- The surgery that we offer are cataract surgery, pterygium surgery and eye lid procedures.
We encourage our patients to organise family members, carers, friends or public transport arrangement to their appointment. It is not recommended to drive before or after your Ophthalmology appointment.
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
- Glasses (and prescription if available)
- Medication (especially eye drops)
- Previous eye history (from optometrists and ophthalmologists)
Contact us: 8345 5378
For Health Professionals
Service Overview
Northern Health Ophthalmology provides a limited service though it is envisaged the service will grow over time. It is a new service and initially we are focusing on the most common conditions such as cataract. We cannot cater for all eye conditions and you will continue to need to send some patients to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital or other health network.
We have a multidisciplinary team at Northern Health (medical retina specialist, Cornea specialist, Glaucoma specialist, General ophthalmologist, Ophthalmology fellow, registrar, and Orthoptic staff) who work together to provide vision care and improve patient visual outcomes. Please see below for further details of services provided by Northern Health Ophthalmology clinics based at Broadmeadows Hospital.
Ophthalmology Referral Guidelines (incorporating Statewide Referral Criteria) – click here
Referrals are assessed on an individual basis and patients may be referred to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital or The Royal Children’s Hospital for treatment options such as injections, certain laser or surgical procedures or other treatment which may not be provided at Northern Health.
Ophthalmology Services NOT offered at Northern Health
Adults:
- Sudden loss of vision and trauma should be directed to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- Patients at risk of irreversible or permanent vision loss such as glaucoma and retinal conditions should be referred to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- Acute presentation of Optic Neuritis should be directed to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- Ocular oncology should be directed to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- Patients requiring injections or retinal laser treatment should be directed to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
- Low vision and rehabilitation services
- Refractive/corrective Laser
- Eye conditions which can be managed by local Optometrists or primary eye health care provider – such as refractive errors, dry eyes or disease screening such as diabetic retinopathy etc.
How to Refer:
Urgent referrals can be discussed with the Ophthalmology Fellow/Registrar by calling 8345 5378.
Outside of these hours please direct to Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Please note this is not always possible as leave / sickness is not prospectively covered. Northern Health does not have an Ophthalmology emergency service available.
GP referrals: Use HealthLink to send referrals, results and reports. For more information click here
Other health services (hospitals, allied health, specialists etc.): Fax your referral to 8405 8616
For further guidance on how to manage specific conditions in general practice, or what specific investigations and information are required for specialist referral, please visit your local HealthPathways website or equivalent online care pathways website.
Click here for HealthPathways Melbourne
Please contact your local PHN if you require login access
Our Team
Dr. Suheb Ahmed (Head of Unit, Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Specialist)
Dr. Jonathan Kam (General Ophthalmology and Oculoplastic Specialist)
Dr. Malvika Gupta (Medical Retina Specialist)
Dr. Nishant Gupta (Cornea Specialist)
Dr. Nick Cheng (Medical Retina Specialist)
Dr. Aaron Yeung (Medical Retina and Ocular Oncology specialist)
Dr. Shanida Hamsa (Ophthalmology Fellow)
Dr. Jack Kane (Ophthalmologist)
Zeina Dayoub (Senior Orthoptist)
Leyla Avci (Senior Orthoptist)
Anastasia Giantsis (Senior Orthoptist)
Hiba Casado (Orthoptist)
Melinda Lay (Orthoptist)
Dee Harrison-Waikai (Outpatient Administration Coordinator)
Lilian Akimana: (Ophthalmology Clinic Lead (Nurse)
