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Why Choose Hunter Eye Surgeons
Hunter Eye Surgeons is the Hunter’s largest ophthalmology group, with four full-time ophthalmic surgeons in three clinic locations serving patients from Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens, Central Coast, East Maitland and the Hunter Valley.
Our surgeons have expertise in a range of eye conditions including macula and retina disease, retina surgery, cataract, glaucoma, lacrimal and oculoplastic surgery, paediatric ophthalmology and laser refractive surgery.
About Our Surgeons
Newcastle Eye Hospital is the only accredited Hospital exclusive to eye disorders in the Hunter Valley licensed with the Department of Health. This means that we only do eye surgery.
Our surgeons are leaders in Cataract Surgery and Retinal Surgery, with publications in leading journals. Our surgeons are invited speakers to Ophthalmology conferences.
We can handle any eye problem. This is because our surgeons have additional retinal surgery training. This means you will not need to be transferred to another hospital if a complexity arrises.
We invest in the latest technology.
We have agreements with health funds to minimise your costs.
We are actively engaged in Ophthalmic Research through Newcastle Eye Hospital Research Foundation.
Dr Peter Davies
Dr Peter Davies – Retina Surgeon, Macula Specialist, Cataract & Pterygium Surgery
Newcastle Eye Hospital was the first hospital in the Hunter Valley to use the technology.
The Newcastle Eye Hospital Research Foundation partnered with the Launceston Eye Institute and the results have been published in the prestigious medical journal, Ophthalmology.
Dr Davies said the research helps eye doctors decide how and when to implement this technology.
“This achievement means that Newcastle is now recognised internationally for quality eye research. Newcastle is world renowned for general medical research, so it is a real achievement that our specialist eye work is noticed too” Dr Davies said.
The Newcastle-based team is currently conducting several research projects, including trials of new treatments to preserve vision in diabetic patients with cataract, and other systemic disorders.
The research foundation has been accredited to international research standards, and is working alongside leading eye centres around the world.
“The Hunter region has many outstanding ophthalmologists, nursing teams and technicians.” said Dr Davies “The Newcastle Eye Hospital Research Foundation was established in 2012 with the goal of focusing those capabilities on eye and vision research. We have achieved a lot so far”
The evaluation of laser cataract surgery included the world’s first published images of a human cataract cut by the femtosecond laser.
“This is a very exciting breakthrough”, Dr Peter Davies said. “Our electron microscope images and clinical results are helping industry to make this technology safer, along scientific guidelines.
“When new technology is released, the first question asked is, ‘Is it safer?’ And when the technology is safer, ‘is it better?’
“Right now, our evaluation shows that laser cataract surgery is not better for everyone. This is good news for patients. The laser is a significant cost for them, a cost that we now know could be unnecessary for an individual patient.”
A cataract is cloudiness of the natural lens inside the eye. A femtosecond laser was developed to assist the surgeon with cataract surgery. The laser pre-treats the eye, which reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to break up the cataract.
“Previously published studies were overwhelmingly positive for the laser” Dr Davies said. “The advantage of our paper is that we compared two groups of patients, those having the laser and those having traditional manual surgery. We can therefore accurately compare the differences in the two groups, and more clearly understand benefits and harms of the laser.
“This is a large well designed study, so the results are important for doctors all around the world.
“We are receiving enquiries from Doctors everywhere asking for more information.
“It is a great honour to be involved in leading-edge science which aims to benefit the outcomes of eye surgery patients in our region and around the globe.”
Dr Michael Birch
Dr Michael Birch – Glaucoma, Cataract Surgery & General Ophthalmology
Mike held a teaching hospital public appointment in Newcastle upon Tyne specialising in glaucoma and cataract. Professionally glaucoma seemed a good addition to the expertise of the other ophthalmologists in the group.
Mike’s wife spent time at school in Victoria, so after a week visiting Dr. Peter Davies and family they were very open to the idea of a move. The whole family, including their two young children, smile at the coincidence of moving to same places they come from!
Mike is experienced in all aspects of glaucoma diagnosis, laser and surgical treatment and glaucoma monitoring. He also has a background in glaucoma research with over 40 published scientific papers, including most recently a 2013 European journal of Ophthalmology article on transcleral diode laser ciliary cyclophotocoagulation.
A new cyclodiode laser is being installed in the day theatre at “The Newcastle Eye Hospital” adding a useful alternative treatment option for the subset of patients with glaucoma refractory or unsuitable for other treatments. Along with iridotomy, iridoplasty and SLT the full range of glaucoma laser management options are available across the practices.
For those patients requiring glaucoma drainage surgery Mike has a long established track record with trabeculectomy or tube shunt surgery. He is also experienced cataract surgeon including complicated cataract associated with glaucoma and cataract surgery combined with drainage surgery and more recently cataract surgery combined with i-Stent.
Coming from the UK national health service Mike is also a good general ophthalmologist and familiar with assessing eye emergencies and urgent/semi urgent referrals.
Dr Anthony Hall
Dr Anthony Hall – Retina Surgeon, Macula Specialist & Cataract Surgery
•Retina Surgeon, Macula Specialist
• Cataract Surgery & General Ophthalmology
Dr Joseph Davis
Dr Joseph Davis – Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery & General Ophthalmology
He is a foundation member of the Australian Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons, a well known corneal graft specialist and a well respected name in the fields of Ophthalmology and laser refractive surgery.
