DR ALISON CHIU

FRANZCO, PhD, MBBS (Hons),
BMedSc (Hons I), Grad Dip Refractive Surgery

Specialist Eye Surgeon

Dr Alison Chiu a has special interest in complex cataract surgery and is an expert in refractive vision correction. She has contributed to the success of over 40,000 laser vision corrections performed by our doctors at the refractive surgical centre, Perfect Vision. She has been the Principal Surgeon at Perfect Vision since 2014.

Education and Clinical Experience

Dr Chiu completed her medical degree with Honours at the University of Sydney. She also completed a Bachelor of Medical Science and following a dedicated research year, graduated with First Class Honours.

Her ophthalmology training was undertaken at Sydney Eye Hospital, with further subspecialty training at Macquarie University Hospital, including an academic qualification in Refractive Surgery. She is the Principal Surgeon at Perfect Vision Laser Correction, one of Australia’s leading refractive surgery practices. Dr Chiu has completed a PhD from the University of Sydney, supported by prestigious scholarships at University College London and Cambridge University.

Undergraduate Study

• B. Med. Sc. (First Class Honours), The University of Sydney
• M.B., B.S. (Hons), The University of Sydney

Postgraduate Study

• Ph.D. (Medicine), The University of Sydney (Cambridge University, University College London)
• Graduate Diploma in Refractive Surgery, The University of Sydney

Clinical Experience

• VMO Springwood Hospital (since 2015)
• VMO (Locum) Concord Hospital – 6 months, 2014
• Fellowship - General Ophthalmology and Medical Retina/Glaucoma/Refractive Surgery, Macquarie University Hospital
• Accredited ophthalmology training with Sydney Eye Hospital and secondments
• Three years of broad clinical medical experience, one year of experience as basic surgical trainee, one year at medical registrar level

Academic Appointments

• Conjoint Lecturer – UNSW
• Previous – Lecturer and Tutor – University of Sydney

Clinical Trials

• Consultant Ophthalmologist – Kinghorn Cancer Centre
• BRIGhT – Application pending for Research Grant, SWSLHD

Governance

• Executive Committee Member, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
• Chair of Morbidity and Mortality, NBMLHD
• VMO at 2 Public Hospitals
• Medical Advisory Committee, private day hospital, Sydney (since 2014)
• National Governance Committee, College of Physicians
• Postgraduate Medical Council, JMO representative (intern)

Teaching Experience

• Examiner, Ophthalmic sciences, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
• Co-Supervisor of Registrar Training, Bankstown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District
• Three years as Anatomy Tutor, Lecturer, Dissection room demonstrator, University of Sydney
• Formal and informal education of medical students, junior doctors, and other allied health staff

Publications

• Five papers published
• One book chapter published by Oxford University Press
• Two published abstracts

Presentations

• Two oral presentations at international conferences
• Five oral presentations at national conferences, two as invited speaker
• One poster presentation at a national conference
• One international and one national workshop

Academic

Undergraduate Study

1992 - 1995
B. Med. Sc. (First Class Honours), The University of Sydney

1998 - 2003
M.B., B.S. (Hons), The University of Sydney
Two years deferred during studies to continue and complete PhD

Postgraduate Study

1996 - 2004

Ph.D (Medicine), The University of Sydney

"Dental Variation in the Sydney Region: An Odontometric Analysis"

Supervisor: Dr D. Donlon, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Histology

Doctoral studies were undertaken on a full-time and part-time basis, and from 1998 concurrently with medical studies (5.0 years full-time equivalent). Fieldwork comprised 6 months data collection at University College London and Cambridge University.

This research produced one published paper, one published abstract, and six conference paper presentations, two of which were by invitation. Multiple research prizes and scholarships were awarded throughout candidature.

2012 - 2013
Graduate Diploma (Refractive Surgery), The University of Sydney

Academic Appointments

• 2018-present - Conjoint Lecturer - UNSW
• 1995-1998 - Lecturer and Tutor – University of Sydney

Scholarships/Prizes

University 1994

• John Irvine Hunter Prize. Prosectors Competition. Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Sydney. (Specimen currently bottled and on display in the Wilson Museum)

Research 1996

• Australian Postgraduate Award. The Commonwealth Government.
• Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society Scholarship. Awarded to cover attendance costs at international conference.
• Gold Medal. Australian and New Zealand Forensic Science Society. Awarded for ‘best overall paper presentation’ at international Symposium.

1997

• British Chevening Scholarship. The British Council. Awarded to conduct PhD studies at University College London and Cambridge University for 6 months.

1999

• Postgraduate Travel Grant. Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney.
• Honorary Student Membership. Commendation for submitted paper. The Royal Society (NSW branch).

2000

• Honourable mention, Albert A. Dalhberg Award. Awarded by the Dental Anthropology Association for manuscript presented at international conference.

2002

• PhD/Medicine Scholarship. The Private Practice Fund, The Canberra Hospital.

Clinical Trials

Consultant Ophthalmologist for direct referrals from Kinghorn Cancer Centre (a joint facility of St Vincent’s Hospital and The Garvan Institute) for all clinical trial patients, to detect eye pathology for inclusion to and exclusion from clinical trials, as well as monitoring complications and side effects of trial medications. This involves comprehensive anterior and posterior segment examinations.

Current funding application for Translational Research Grants Scheme, Supported by Agency for Clinical Innovation (ACI): A Vision for Integrated hospital and community management of chronic eye diseases: Effectiveness and adaptability of Community-Eye-Care (C-EYE-C) - does it promote access, is it cost-effective and does it meet patients’ needs?

Current funding application for Mid Career Research Grant, SWSLHD, Supported by The George Institute for Global Health: Best Practice Surgical and Refractive (BRIGhT) management strategy for cataract, which combines expedited sequential cataract surgery and provision of necessary refractive correction through updated spectacle lenses within 2 weeks of second eye surgery

Governance

2018 to present

• Executive Committee Member, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

2018 to present

• Chair of Morbidity and Mortality, NBMLHD

2013/2015-present

• VMO at 2 Public Hospitals with active involvement in Departmental Meetings

2014-present

Medical Advisory Committee, private day hospital, Sydney

2006

National Governance Committee, College of Physicians

2004

Postgraduate Medical Council, JMO representative (intern)

Clinical Experience

2018 to present

• Examiner, Ophthalmic Sciences, RANZCO

2015 to present

• VMO Ophthalmologist, Springwood Hospital

2013 to present

• VMO Ophthalmologist, Bankstown Hospital

2013 to present

• Private Practice, General Ophthalmologist

Mar 2014-Oct 2014

• Locum VMO Ophthalmologist, Concord General Repatriation Hospital

2012

• Ophthalmology Fellow, Macquarie University Hospital
  Medical Retina, Glaucoma, Refractive Surgery

Accredited Ophthalmology Registrar–Sydney Eye Hospital & Rotations

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006 ST VINCENT’S HOSPITAL, SYDNEY

2004-2005 ROYAL PRINCE ALFRED HOSPITAL, SYDNEY

Examinations

2010

• Pass in Advanced Clinical Examination (RACE)
  One of only 2 NSW candidates of the 2010 cohort to obtain a clear pass

2009

• Pass in Advanced Ophthalmic Pathology

2007 - 2008

• Completed Part 1 RANZCO modules:
  • Pass in Anatomy, Physiology, Optics, OBCK
  • Pass in Basic Pathology, Epidemiology, Genetics, Microbiology and Virology, Pharmacology

Courses

2007

• Ophthalmic Anatomy: UNSW

2006

• Sydney Eye Hospital Registrar Lecture Program
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support

2005

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: Early Management of Severe Trauma
• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: Care of the Critically Ill Surgical Patient

2004

• Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: Basic Surgical Skills Course

Teaching Experience

2018 - present

• Examiner, Ophthalmic Sciences, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists

2018 - present

• Co-Supervisor of Registrar training, Bankstown Hospital, South Western Sydney Local Health District

2018 - present

• UNSW, Conjoint Lecturer

2013 - present

• Supervision and training of ophthalmology registrars, as well as junior medical staff and allied health staff, predominantly through public hospital appointments

2007 - 2011

• Medical student / Overseas Elective student / RMO supervisor, POWH, RNSH Formal teaching in SCORPIOs and daily informal teaching to students and junior medical staff

2004 - 2006

• Medical Student Supervisor, St Vincent's and Liverpool Hospitals / UNSW Daily informal teaching to resident medical officers and interns and medical students as Medical Registrar and Resident.

1995-1996 and 1998

• DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY AND HISTOLOGY, THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
  Anatomy Tutor, Lecturer, Dissection room demonstrator
  Faculties of Medicine, Dentistry and Science

Publications

• Chiu, A.L.S., Sherry, E. and Phung, X. Accessibility of clinical information on the web: Just try to be specific. Nature. 1999; 401 (6749): 111.
• Chiu, A.L.S. and Donlon, D. Anthropological and Forensic Aspects of Odontometric Variation in Two Contemporary Australian Populations. Journal of the Dental Anthropology Association. 2000; 14 (2): 20 - 37.
• Chiu, A.L.S. Forensic and anthropological aspects of variation in dental metrics in two contemporary Australian populations. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. 2000; 30 (Suppl): 123. Abstract
• Chiu, A.L.S, and Robertson, M. Chapter 38: Psychiatric Trauma. In: Sherry, E., Trieu, L. and Templeton, J. (eds.) Trauma. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 2003; 632 - 644.
• Choy E.T., Chiu, A., Young, J., Butow, P., and Spillane, A. (2005) A pilot study to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes of involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary clinic discuss ion of their surgery results and treatment. ANZ Journal of Surgery. 2005; 75 (s1): A31. Abstract
• Thurtell MJ, Chiu ALS, Goold LA, Akdal G, Cromptom JL, Ahmed R, Madge SN, Selva D, Francis I, Ghabrial R, Ananda A, Gibson J, Chan R, Thompson EO, Rodriguez M , McCluskey PJ, Halmagyi GM (2013) Neuro - ophthalmology of invasive fungal sinusitis: 14 consecutive patients and a review of the literature. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology. 41(6): 567 - 576.
• Keay K.A., Crowfoot L.J., Floyd N.S., Henderson L.A., Christie M.J. and Bandler R. (1997) Cardiovascular effects of microinjections of opioid agonists into the 'Depressor Region' of the ventrolateral periaqueductal gray region. Brain Research. 1997; 762(1 - 2) : 61 - 71. Acknowledgement for experimental work

Conference Presentations

1996

• Chiu, A.L.S. The value of dental measurements for forensic identification. Australian and New Zealand International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences. 13th Biennial meeting. 8 - 13 September, 1996. Sydney, Australia.

1998

• Chiu, A.L.S. Race determination in dental anthropology. 15th Annual Forensic Anthropology 15th Annual Forensic Anthropology and Dental Identification Course. 27 April-1 May, 1998. New South Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine, Sydney, Australia. Invited speaker.
• Sherry, E., Phung, X., Trieu, L., Yuan, J. , Gorman, J. and Chiu, A.L.S. Workshop: “Orthosearch” and “WorldOrtho”: Valuable Internet resources for Orthopaedic Surgeons. Australian Orthopaedic Assocation. 11 - 16 October, 1998. Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

1999

• Sherry, E., Oliver, C., Phung, X., Trieu, L., Yuan, J., Chiu, A.L.S., Viswanathan, S., Gorman, J. and Peach, P. Workshop: Orthopaedics and the Internet. Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie (SICOT). 21st Triennial World Cong ress. 18 - 23 April, 1999. Sydney, Australia.
• Chiu, A.L.S. Race and sex determination in dental anthropology. 16th Annual Forensic Anthropology and Dental Identification Course. 3 - 7 May, 1999. New South Wales Institute of Forensic Medicine, Sydney, Australia. Invited speaker.
• Chiu, A.L.S. The value of dental measurements for forensic identification. Internati onal Association of Forensic Sciences. 15th Triennial Meeting. 22 - 28 August, 1999. Los Angeles, California, USA.
• Chiu, A.L.S. Forensic and anthropological aspects of variation in dental metrics in two contemporary Australian populations. Australasian Society for Human Biology. 13th Annual Conference. 6 - 9 December, 1999. Sydney, Australia.

2000

• Chiu, A.L.S. Forensic and anthropological aspects of variation in dental metrics in two contemporary Australian populations. American Association of Physical Anthropologists. 69th Annual Meeting, 12-15 April, 2000. San Antonio, Texas, USA

2004

• Choy, E., Chiu, A., Young, J., Butow, P. and Spillane, A. A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Impact on Patient Outcomes of Involving Breast Cancer Patients in the Multidisciplinary Clinic Discussion of their Surgery - Results And Treatment Plan. Leura V: International Breast Cancer Conference, Breast Cancer Institute. 10-14 November 2004, Sydney, Australia. Poster presentation

2005

• Choy, E., Chiu, A., Young, J., Butow, P. and Spillane, A. A pilot study to evaluate the impact on patient outcomes of involving breast cancer patients in the multidisciplinary clinic discussion of their surgery results and treatment. Annual Scientific Congress, Australasian College of Surgeons. 13-15 May 2005, Perth, Australia.

Meetings Attended

• Neuro - ophthalmology Society of Australia. 21st Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting, November 2005 Sydney.
• Medical Retina and Uveitis. 21st Annual Registrar’s Conference, Save Sight Institute and Sydney Eye Hospital, 2007
• Cornea and External Eye disease. 22nd Annual Registrar’s Conference, Save Sight Institute and Sydney Eye Hospital, 2008
• RANZCO Annual General Meeting and S cientific Congress, Melbourne 2008
• Neuroophthalmology. 23rd Annual Registrar’s Conference, Save Sight Institute and Sydney Eye Hospital, 2009
• Medical and Surgical Retina. 24th Annual Registrar’s Conference, Save Sight Institute and Sydney Eye Hospital, 2010
• RANZCO Annual General Meeting and Scientific Congress, Adelaide 2010
• RANZCO Annual General Meeting and Scientific Congress, Canberra 2011
• RANZCO Annual General Meeting and Scientific Congress, Melbourne 2012
• RANZCO Annual General Meeting and Scientific Congress, Melbourne 2016
• Ophthalmology Updates Conference, Sydney 2017
• Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) Course 2017
• RANZCO NSW Branch Meeting and International Society of Ocular Oncology, Sydney 2017
• 35th Annual ANZ Cornea Society and Eye Bank Meeting, Sydney 2018
• Management of Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration, Polypoidal Vasculopathy, and Retinal Vein Occlusions, Sydney 2018
• Synergeyes, Sydney 2018
• Sydney Eye Hospital Alumni Association Meeting 2018
• Future Directions in Ophthalmology, Medical Management of Retinal Disease, Melbourne 2018
• Ophthalmology Updates Conference, Sydney 2018

Leadership Roles

2018 – present

• RANZCO State Branch Executive Committee
• Chairperson Morbidity and Mortality – NBM Local Health District

2014 - present

• Member of Medical Advisory Committee, Private Day Surgery Facility, Sydney

2013 - present

• Ophthalmology VMO in Public Hospitals - Modelling a high standard of professional behaviour.
• Teaching and Supervision of accredited and unaccredited Ophthalmology Registrars

2007 - 2011

• Ophthalmology Registrar, Teaching and supervision of medical students, elective students and residents

2006

• National Governance Committee, College of Physicians

2004 - 2005

• Experience with audit and quality assurance in collating and presenting morbidity and mortality data over several clinical rotations

2004

• Internship: Postgraduate Medical Council, JMO representative

Professional Memberships and Subscriptions

• RANZCO
• AMA
• Australian Society of Ophthalmologists
• Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology
• Focal Points