Urgent or emergency retinal conditions (e.g. retinal detachment) can be assessed and corrective surgery performed at our onsite South Bank Day Hospital within 24 hours if necessary.

Urgent procedures for Macular Degeneration (Wet ARMD) or Diabetes can often be done on the same visit as your initial consultation, once the diagnosis is confirmed.

Your First Visit

Being prepared for the appointment will allow us to provide you with the best service. A referral letter from your doctor or optometrist is the first step.

  • Print referral letter to Dr Abhishek Sharma for your Optometrist or GP to complete.
  • A referring letter is essential to be able to claim your refund from Medicare.
  • A referral from your GP or Optometrist is valid for 12 months.
  • A referral from your Ophthalmologist is valid for 3 months.

  • Before your appointment you will receive a health questionnaire.
    Please complete the questionnaire and bring along any previous eye letters, investigations or results you have.
    This information allows us to provide you the best eye care.
  • For each appointment, write down specific questions you would like answered so that you get the most benefit out of your appointment.

Please allow 2 hours for your first visit. For follow-up visits it is often shorter.

  • After registration, your vision will be checked.
  • Following this, all retinal conditions require special eye drops to dilate the pupils. They take 30-45 minutes to work, sometimes longer depending on your eyes.
  • After dilation, you may need tests, measurements and investigations depending on your eye condition.
  • Dr Sharma will see you following these steps, for a thorough eye examination and treatment.

Remember, full dilation and appropriate tests results in the best management for your eyes, and your first visit is designed to be thorough.

We also see emergency patients and do emergency surgery when on-call, and will advise you if there is a delay expected.

Your Surgery

After a thorough assessment, you may require surgery to improve your vision. We will go through the risks, benefits and alternatives in detail. We provide information below about the steps before, during and after surgery.

A retinal surgeon specialises in surgery inside the eye, that involves both the lens inside the eye (cataract) and problems in the back of the eye (the vitreous and the retina). Your retinal surgeon needs to have done further training (fellowship) after completing their university, resident training and accredited eye surgery registrar training. Often the fellowship is done at renowned institutions to obtain skills in the latest treatment and surgeries.

It is important to know about your retinal surgeon, and to trust them, because eye conditions often require long-term care, not just one surgery, laser or injection. Your surgeon needs to be accessible and be able to explain clearly to you and your family about your surgery. At your appointment, please ask Dr Sharma about his extensive experience in dealing with your condition, and about any planned procedures.

South Bank Day Hospital is located in the same building as the Queensland Eye Institute. This allows us to streamline the process for you, so that the registration and paperwork for surgery can be handled in the clinic.

Our clinic staff can also provide you with detailed information about when you need to arrive for surgery, what time you need to start fasting from, the costs involved, and what is covered through your health insurance. You can contact them at any stage to clarify any questions you may have.

Eye surgeries are performed as a same-day procedure, you generally do not require admission overnight. It is done under ‘local anaesthetic’ which means that our anaesthetists will make sure you are comfortable, and ‘freeze’ your eye so that it remains comfortable throughout surgery. You are awake but comfortable throughout surgery.

Depending on the state of your health, you may need a review by the anaesthetist beforehand.

Retinal surgery is micro-surgery done with microscopes and delicate equipment. Such procedures usually last 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours depending on the complexity of your retinal condition. The anaesthetist keeps you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Immediately after surgery

  • The hard work is up to you now to look after the eye. We will need to see you the day after surgery to check your eye. Please keep the pad and shield on until your first review. You will have direct access to Dr Sharma and our clinic staff in case you are concerned during your recovery period.

Instructions

  • Before discharge, we will provide you with detailed instructions on how to look after your eye after surgery, and what to look out for during your recovery period.

Positioning & Flying

  • Surgeries for certain conditions, such as retinal detachments or macular holes, may require gas to be inserted in your eye. You may need to position your body a certain way for the first few days or week (e.g. face down).
  • You also may not be allowed to fly or go to high altitude until the gas bubble disappears over a few weeks.
  • Dr Sharma will inform you about posturing and flying before and after surgery.

Educational Resources

Understanding your condition is important for you and your family. In addition to the information on diseases and procedures on our ‘Services‘ page, below are additional reliable medical resources aimed at patients.

Medical and Surgical Retina services – Dr Abhishek Sharma

Glaucoma, Corneal conditions and Cataract services – Dr Brendan Cronin

Eye Plastic and Tumour Surgery services – Dr Tai Smith

The AAO provides an excellent resource for patients and family. It has information that is fair and balanced. Visit their eye health page for more information.

RANZCO is the College responsible for the professional development of ophthalmologists in Australia and New Zealand. Dr Sharma is a Fellow of RANZCO. Their website provides information for the public on the college, the training, and certain conditions. Visit their website for further information.

The Macular Disease Foundation Australia is a foundation dedicated towards educating the public and improving awareness of macular disease in Australia. They also undertake research and provide support services for patients with macular disease. Visit their website for more information about your condition as well as their services.

The Clinic and Theatre

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