fbpx

Vision Eye Institute

We are Australia’s largest private provider of ophthalmic services, with a strong commitment to clinical and scientific excellence and delivering the highest-quality outcomes for patients. We achieve this through our dedication to best-practice care, academia and research, and by employing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

About us

Initially established as a group practice in Victoria in 2001, Vision Eye Institute quickly expanded to include numerous sites along the eastern seaboard and is now the largest private provider of ophthalmic care in Australia.

Our doctor team includes a mix of partners, associates and visiting medical officers – many of whom have introduced new surgical techniques and technologies into Australia and are highly regarded by their peers, both locally and internationally. Their dedication extends to active involvement with clinical research; teaching and examining medical students, optometry students, optometrists and ophthalmology trainees; and presenting at local and international conferences.

In addition to private practice, a number of Vision Eye Institute doctors hold academic positions, including professorships and associate professorships. Many of our doctors also practise and/or teach at large hospitals, while others are actively involved in local and international charity programs that make use of their ophthalmic skills and expertise.

The world-class Vision Hospital Group day surgeries are equipped with the latest technology for a wide range of specialties. Each day surgery is accredited against the National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards and has an experienced on-site Director of Nursing to lead the clinical team. Find out more about VHG here.

Our values

Vision Eye Institute’s consulting, day surgery and laser services bring together world-class surgeons, purpose-built facilities and state-of-the-art technology to ensure the best possible outcome for patients.

Learn about our values

Executive Leadership Team

Our Executive Leadership Team provides strategic direction to ensure that Vision Eye Institute delivers on its key commitments and values.

Headshot of Vision Eye Institute CEO, Amanda Cranage

Amanda Cranage

Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director

Amanda was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Vision Eye Institute and Vision Hospital Group in 2023. She is passionate about excellence in healthcare leadership and delivering positive outcomes for patients and stakeholders alike. With over 30 years of extensive experience in both the public and private healthcare sectors, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Beginning her career as an orthoptist, Amanda transitioned to operational management over 16 years ago, marking the start of her leadership journey. Throughout her tenure at Vision Eye Institute, Amanda has held various senior positions showcasing her leadership and strategic acumen. She possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of eye healthcare and has successfully implemented innovative solutions to streamline operations and optimise resource allocation, ultimately leading to improved patient experiences and outcomes.

Previously responsible for driving and growing the Victorian and Brisbane businesses, Amanda successfully led the development of Panch Day Surgery in Melbourne, a major refurbishment of Rivercity Private Hospital (Level 3) in Brisbane, and the extensive expansion and refurbishment of Vision Eye Institute’s Footscray consulting facility in Melbourne. Additionally, Amanda has established a number of greenfield sites in Melbourne and has led the nationwide responsibility for health fund negotiations for Vision Hospital Group.

Amanda has demonstrated her commitment to making a positive social impact as Non-Executive Director and Chair of Alina Vision – a social enterprise supporting eye health services in underserved communities in Vietnam. Appointed to the role by the Fred Hollows Foundation in 2021, Amanda played a pivotal role in expanding services and local empowerment in the north of Vietnam. Amanda’s tenure culminated in a successful capital raise, securing resources for future growth, before she stepped down from the role in December 2023.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Amanda finds joy in indulging her passion for cooking and cherishing quality time spent around the table with her family.

Peter Sexton Portrait

Peter Sexton

Chief Financial Officer

Peter is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years’ experience across numerous well-known companies. He is an accomplished Chief Financial Officer (CFO) with a proven track record of adding commercial and operational value, executing strategic outcomes and enacting positive business change.

Before joining Vision Eye Institute, Peter was CFO of Ramsay Pharmacy Group, the centralised pharmacy division of Ramsay Health Care. Here he oversaw substantive business transformation and creation through a large-scale acquisition program and strong organic growth.

Peter started his career at Ernst & Young, after which he spent time in London at leading investment banks. On his return to Australia, he managed the finance team of Village Roadshow Production Group (part of Village Roadshow Limited). He then went on to lead the management consulting division of a boutique consultancy firm.

In late 2019, Peter commenced his role as CFO of Vision Eye Institute where he aims to utilise his wealth of experience to add value, drive strategy and help grow the organisation.

Peter loves spending time with his family. Outside of this he is passionate about kite-surfing (particularly chasing large storm fronts) and when it’s not windy he enjoys downhill mountain biking.

Karen Lopreiato

Company Secretary

Karen joined Vision Eye Institute in 2011 as Company Secretary. She is responsible for supporting the Vision Eye Institute Board and its directors, ensuring the company’s compliance with the Corporations Act and overseeing corporate governance within the organisation generally.

Before joining Vision Eye Institute, she held Company Secretary or Secretariat Manager roles at several large ASX-listed corporations, including Symbion Health Limited, Mayne Pharma Limited, Mayne Group Limited and Colonial Limited. There she was involved with a number of strategic initiatives and projects, including mergers and acquisitions activity and capital raising, along with the usual secretariat responsibilities.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance. She is a Fellow of Governance Institute of Australia.

Karen lives in Melbourne and is mother of two teenage girls. She spends much of her time ferrying them to and from their many sports activities.

Siobhan Todhunter Portrait

Siobhan Todhunter

Group Marketing Manager

Siobhan has been part of the Vision Eye Institute team for over 20 years, during which time she has held a variety of roles across the business.

As Group Marketing Manager, Siobhan oversees Vision Eye Institute’s strategic marketing and promotion, cementing its position as one of Australia’s leading providers of high-quality patient care and institutional excellence. She also oversees communications across Vision Eye Institute’s 28 clinics and day surgeries, including internal, patient and referrer touchpoints. In addition, Siobhan liaises with peak industry bodies to collaborate on public and healthcare professional education initiatives.

Siobhan has a strong interest in the People and Culture function of the group. She believes in fostering a culture of excellence that attracts and supports world-class ophthalmologists, ensuring the best possible outcome for Vision Eye Institute’s patients.

Outside work, Siobhan spends as much time as possible with family, as well as doing pilates and taking long walks on the beach with Pepper, the family dog.

Kylie Bennett's headshot.

Kylie Bennett

National Director of Nursing, General Manager RiverCity Private Hospital

With over three decades of experience in nursing, Kylie has dedicated the past 15 years to senior and executive management roles with New South Wales’ private sector.

Since joining Vision Eye Institute in 2022, she has served as both the National Quality Manager and the National Director of Nursing.

Recently appointed as the General Manager of RiverCity Private Hospital in Brisbane, Kylie continues to lead diverse teams, implement positive changes, and oversee the quality system for the organisation, reflecting her unwavering commitment to excellence.

Outside of her professional life, Kylie enjoys beach getaways with her husband and their three dogs, relishing the joys of life now that her children are grown.

Headshot of Ashley Streater

Ashley Streater

General Manager – New South Wales

Ashley is a seasoned healthcare professional with a genuine passion for patient care. She began her career in general practice before moving into the specialist hospital sector. Since then, Ashley has dedicated the last 11 years to Vision Eye Institute’s success, initially starting as the Practice Manager of the Hurstville clinic.

Her previous appointment as National Project Manager underscores her strategic acumen – she oversaw critical initiatives such as the national digitisation of medical records and the centralised billing team. Her leadership ethos, rooted in her commitment to optimal patient care, has consistently guided Vision Eye Institute’s evolution towards operational excellence.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ashley finds fulfilment in her young family and the outdoors. Her involvement in her local netball club reflects her community-oriented mindset and passion for fostering connections beyond the workplace. Ashley’s journey mirrors resilience, dedication and a strong sense of purpose, leaving a lasting impact on healthcare, team development and community engagement.

Gideon Sinclair

General Manager – South Australia

Gideon is an experienced healthcare executive who recently reached a 40-year milestone in the industry. Having joined Vision Eye Institute in 2023 as the General Manager of Windsor Gardens Day Surgery, Gideon now oversees all of the company’s South Australian operations.

Gideon began his career as a medical scientist. His passion for the business of healthcare, coupled with strong commercial acumen, soon led him to senior operational and executive leadership roles within the challenging private pathology and fertility sectors. Most recently, Gideon has held the senior roles of Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Clinpath Laboratories, and CEO for Fertility SA.

Experienced in delivering positive transformational change, Gideon has successfully led major infrastructure projects, business acquisitions and the implementation of emerging technologies.  He brings a fresh perspective, a continual improvement philosophy and a mindset unshackled by convention, all underpinned by a resolute belief in high-quality healthcare.  As a strategic thinker, Gideon looks to the future and plans the journey. As a leader, he loves inspiring people to come along for the ride.

When not in the office, Gideon cherishes time away with his wife Sandra at their humble beach shack on the Limestone Coast, enjoying the best the region has to offer.

Medical Advisory Board

Our Medical Advisory Board provides expert guidance to our Executive Leadership Team to ensure that Vision Eye Institute delivers clinical and scientific excellence and best-practice care to our patients. The board is comprised of highly accomplished surgeons and specialists with an incredible wealth of knowledge and clinical experience.

Headshot of Vision Eye Institute CEO, Amanda Cranage

Amanda Cranage

Chief Executive Officer

Amanda was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Vision Eye Institute and Vision Hospital Group in 2023. She is passionate about excellence in healthcare leadership and delivering positive outcomes for patients and stakeholders alike. With over 30 years of extensive experience in both the public and private healthcare sectors, Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Beginning her career as an orthoptist, she transitioned to operational management over 16 years ago, marking the start of her leadership journey. Throughout her tenure at Vision Eye Institute, Amanda has held various senior positions showcasing her leadership and strategic acumen.  She possesses a deep understanding of the complexities of eye healthcare and has successfully implemented innovative solutions to streamline operations and optimise resource allocation, ultimately leading to improved patient experiences and outcomes.

Previously responsible for driving and growing the Victorian and Brisbane businesses, Amanda successfully led the development of Panch Day Surgery in Melbourne, a major refurbishment of Rivercity Private Hospital (Level 3) in Brisbane, and the extensive expansion and refurbishment of Vision Eye Institute’s Footscray consulting facility in Melbourne. Amanda has also held the nationwide responsibility for health fund negotiations for Vision Hospital Group and executive responsibility for the national projects portfolio.

Amanda’s commitment to making a positive impact extends beyond her work at Vision Eye Institute, demonstrating her passion for improving healthcare accessibility and outcomes. Amanda is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Alina Vision, a social enterprise that aims to address the rising demand for eye health services in the world’s most underserved communities.

Outside of her professional pursuits, Amanda finds joy in indulging her passion for cooking and cherishing quality time spent around the table with her family.

Lewis Levitz Portrait

Dr Lewis Levitz

National Medical Director

Dr Lewis Levitz is a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon, with a special interest in conventional and laser cataract surgery. He offers his patients the latest in lens technology such as toric and multifocal intraocular lenses. Dr Levitz also has a special interest in reconstructive eyelid surgery (oculoplastics), including eyelid correction, repair and reconstruction, and management of eyelid cancers. In addition to these specialty areas, Dr Levitz also treats general ophthalmological disorders.

Dr Joe Reich AM, Regional Medical Director – Victoria, Medical Advisory Board, Vision Eye Institute

Dr Joe Reich AM

Regional Medical Director – Victoria

Dr Joseph Reich is a highly experienced cataract and refractive surgeon. With the evolution of laser eye technology, Dr Reich has maintained his expertise and performs LASIK and ASLA/PRK. He also specialises in cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange, and has extensive experience with multifocal and toric lenses. Dr Reich performs complex cataract surgery on patients with co-occurring eye diseases, such as keratoconus, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Michael Lawless Portrait

A/Prof Michael Lawless

Dr Michael Lawless is one of Australia’s most experienced eye surgeons, having performed more than 30,000 surgical procedures. He is a Clinical Associate Professor at Sydney Medical School (University of Sydney) and is recognised throughout the world as an authority on laser eye surgery.

Dr Lawless’s expertise encompasses laser eye surgery (LASIK, ASLA/PRK and SMILE®), cataract and lens replacement surgery (including laser cataract surgery) and phakic intraocular lenses. He is frequently invited to present at major international conferences.

In early 2022, A/Prof Lawless was the first ophthalmologist in Australia and New Zealand to perform SMILE Pro and one of the first in the world to perform LASIK using the Zeiss Visumax 800 laser system.

Lee Lenton Portrait

Dr Lee Lenton

Dr Lee Lenton is a highly respected and experienced cataract and refractive surgeon. Since 1995, he has performed over 15,000 LASIK laser eye surgery procedures. Dr Lenton also specialises in refractive lens exchange and cataract surgery, with expertise in intraocular lens technology. For the past 5 years, Dr Lenton has specialised in cataract and refractive surgery using multifocal IOL insertions, having performed more than 4000 trifocal IOL insertions.

In addition, Dr Lenton manages diseases that affect the surface of the eye (e.g. dry eye, red eye, corneal ulcers and chronic conjunctivitis). He has done pioneering research into dry eye and the use of medicated honey to treat chronic blepharitis and dry eye before and after laser eye surgery and cataract surgery.

Dr Abi Tenen, Medical Advisory Board, Vision Eye Institute

A/Prof Abi Tenen

Associate Professor Abi Tenen is a highly experienced and well-respected refractive, corneal and cataract surgeon. Her areas of expertise include LASIK, PRK/ASLA, implantable contact lens, refractive lens exchange, keratoconus and collagen cross-linking, intracorneal rings and inlays, pterygium removal and cataract surgery with premium lens implants. By working closely with a broad range of refractive-based procedures, A/Prof Tenen is able to offer a customised care plan for each patient.

A/Prof Tenen’s compassionate manner has led her to be extensively involved in various charity and teaching pursuits, including a long-term appointment as Adjunct Senior Lecturer for the School of Primary Healthcare in the Faculty of Medicine at Monash University. She has worked with technologies running in parallel to her ophthalmic work, including programs using neuroplasticity in order to improve vision.

More recently, A/Prof Tenen has developed a keen interest in regenerative medicine and is involved in leading research focusing on the use of mesenchymal stem cells. As a pioneer in the field, she was involved in the introduction of the femtosecond laser to Australia in 2006 and she continues to stay at the forefront of ophthalmic technologies.

A/Prof Tenen is a frequent contributor and invited speaker at local and international conferences.

Headshot of Dr Paul Athanasiov in dark blue sceubs

Dr Paul Athanasiov

Dr Paul Athanasiov is an experienced ophthalmologist and the Founder and Principal Ophthalmologist at Eye Surgeons SA. His areas of expertise include advanced laser cataract surgery, corneal grafting and surgery, pterygium excision and glaucoma surgery. Dr Athanasiov also diagnoses and treats macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease and keratoconus. In addition, he has been published widely in the areas of cataract, oculoplastic surgery and ocular anaesthesia.

Dr Athanasiov completed his medical training at the University of Adelaide and further sub-specialist training in the areas of cornea, glaucoma and complex cataract surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 2013. His post-graduate qualifications also include a Master of Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) from the University of Sydney and a Master of Ophthalmology from the University of Adelaide.

Patient feedback

Because patients are at the heart of everything we do, we place great value on their feedback. Satisfaction surveys are regularly conducted to ensure that we are indeed delivering best-practice care. All patient feedback, suggestions and complaints are taken seriously and reviewed internally, with further action where appropriate.

Read the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights in English or another language.

Policies
coloured spectrum bar