Dr Simon Chen

About Dr Simon Chen

Simon is a highly experienced Cataract and Retinal surgeon who has had the privilege of performing cataract or retinal surgery on over 150 medical professionals and their families, including fellow ophthalmologists, optometrists, local GPs, and surgeons, who have entrusted him with their own care.

His practice is dedicated to cataract and retinal surgery, with a specific focus on complex cataract surgery in eyes with myopia, retinal disease, ocular trauma, or dislocated lenses.

He is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at UNSW and was the first surgeon in the world to perform femtosecond laser cataract surgery combined with vitrectomy surgery.

Simons surgical videos can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrSimonChen

Simon graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of London, UK, then trained in Ophthalmology at the teaching hospitals of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, UK. He completed Vitreoretinal Surgery fellowships at the Oxford Eye Hospital and Lions Eye Institute, Australia.

He has published extensively on various aspects of cataract and retinal surgery and has been a principal investigator for numerous international clinical trials of novel treatments for retinal disease.

Simon's research publications can be viewed at: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2113-1443

Areas of Special Interest

• Cataract Surgery (routine & complex cases)
• Vitreoretinal surgery (routine & complex cases)
• Floaters, Epiretinal membranes, Retinal detachment
• Managing complications of eye surgery and trauma
• Intraocular lens exchange surgery

Services

1. Cataract and Lens Surgery

• Routine and complex cataract surgery
• Including cataract surgery in eyes with retinal disease or high myopia
• Use of all modern toric, extended depth of focus (EDOF), and multifocal intraocular lenses available in Australia
• Refractive lens exchange for correction of myopia, hypermetropia, presbyopia, and astigmatism

2. Vitreoretinal Surgery

• Retinal detachment repair
• Floaters (YAG laser vitreolysis & vitrectomy surgery)
• Epiretinal membranes
• Macular holes
• Intravitreal injections for age-related macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion
• Intraocular lens exchange surgery

3. Managing complications of previous eye surgery

• Intraocular lens exchange surgery
• Repair of ocular trauma
• Surgical management of dislocated lenses

Hospitals Practicing At

Vision Eye Institute Chatswood

Chatswood Private Hospital

Qualifications:

MBBS, BSc (Honours), FRANZCO
Adjunct Senior Lecturer, UNSW

Memberships:

• Australian & New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists (ANZSRS)
• Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

Accepts referrals for:

• Cataracts
• Blurred or Distorted vision
• Floaters
• Flashing lights
• Retinal tears / Retinal detachment
• Ocular trauma
• Epiretinal Membranes
• Macular holes

What to bring to your appointment:

• Your referral letter from a GP or optometrist (see above)
• Your Medicare card
• Your private health insurance card (if you are insured)
• Pensioner or concession card (if applicable)
• Veteran Affairs card (if applicable)
• A list of your current medications
• Sunglasses (in case your pupils are dilated as part of the examination process)
• Payment for any out-of-pocket costs (if applicable)

You may wish to bring a friend, family member or carer and a list of questions to the appointment to help you understand your condition and make an informed decision about your treatment plan.

Our clinics also have qualified orthoptists and optometrists on hand to help answer any questions you may have following your consultation with the ophthalmologist.

Waiting times
Our booking system is designed so that we can see patients as efficiently as possible and keep waiting times to a minimum.

However, unexpected situations/emergencies can and do arise because we treat a range of eye conditions, many of which can be sight-threatening and require immediate attention. As registered and professional healthcare providers, we have a duty of care to look after all of our patients to the best of our ability. Unfortunately, this sometimes means that our doctors and orthoptists may run over time.

While we never like to inconvenience patients, we hope that you can appreciate our aim of providing the highest level of care. Please be assured that the same priority service will be extended to you should it ever be required.