
Opthalmology
Overview of Service
The Ophthalmology Department at Royal North Shore Hospital provides comprehensive eye care, offering both outpatient and inpatient services. The department specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, corneal conditions, and ocular trauma. The department also offers advanced diagnostic technologies and surgical procedures, including cataract surgery and retinal surgeries.
Areas of Expertise
- Emergency and traumatic eye surgery
- Complex cataract
- Corneal and ocular surface disorders
- Diabetic eye disease
- Eyelid, tear duct and eye sockets disorders
- Management of glaucoma
- Macular degeneration
- Retinal and vitreous disorders
- Strabismus and ocular motility disorders
Key Areas of Education
- Master of Surgery program, University of Sydney
- Course convenors and examiners for ANZ College of Opthalmolagist (ANZCO)
- Senior Lecturer, University of Sydney
Achievements
- Global Achievement Awards, American Academy of Ophthalmology
- NSW Qualification and Education Committee (Positions held: Chairman)
- Patient Experience Award, Quality and Improvement Awards (2020) – Eyes Open Project, Royal North Shore Hospital
Affiliated Organisations
- Australian and New Zealand Paediatric Ophthalmological Society
- Australian Vision Research
- The Macula Society
- Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
- Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney
- Adelaide University
- University of Melbourne
- SERT Institute
Meet our Ophthalmic Surgeons

Head of Department
Dr James Smith has a special interest in cataract surgery, glaucoma, paediatric ophthalmology, and adult strabismus (squint).

BSc (Med), MBBS, MPH, FRANZCO
Royal Australian College of Ophthalmology Supervisor
Dr Noni Lewis has a special interest in corneal surgery, including corneal crosslinking and corneal transplants, cataract and refractive surgery, laser eye surgery and general ophthalmology.

BSc (Med), MBBS, FRACS, FRANZCO
Dr Michael Branley specialises in macular degeneration, retina, uveitis & vitreoretinal conditions.

MBBS FRANZCO
Dr Jenny Danks has a special interest in oculoplastic surgery, including eyelid, tear duct and orbital surgery.

Assoc Prof Samantha Fraser-Bell
BSc (Med), MBBS (Hons 1), MHA, MPH, PhD, FRANZCO
Assoc Prof Samantha Fraser-Bell has a special interest in diseases of the macula and retina, particularly age related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion and inflammatory eye disease.

MBBS FRANZCO FRANZCS FRCOphth
Dr Brett O’Donnell has a specialty interest in conditions affecting the eyelids, tear ducts and tumours around the eyes.

MBBS FRACS FRANZCO MMed (Ophth)
Assoc Prod Keith Ong has a special interest in cataract and glaucoma surgery. He invented the Ong Eye Speculum for glaucoma surgery.

MBBS FRANZCO FRACS
Assoc Prof Geoffrey Painter has a special interest in cataract and anterior segment surgery and glaucoma.

MBBS, MPH, FRCSC, FRANZCO
Dr Daniel Polya has a special interest 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.

MBBS MMED FRANZCO GAICD
Assoc Prof Tim Roberts has a special interest in sutureless micro-incision surgery and advanced intraocular lens implant technology to correct refractive errors.

BSc (Med) MBBS, FRANZCO
Dr Kimberley Tan has a special interest in micro-incision cataract surgery, strabismus (squint), paediatric ophthalmology and neuro-ophthalmology.

BSc(Med) MBBS MMed FRANZCO
Dr Christine Younan has a special interest in ocular inflammation, cataracts, retinal diseases including macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.