Vision Eye Institute Melbourne specialises in refractive surgery. The facility and equipment are constantly reviewed and upgraded to provide the highest quality ophthalmic services to our patients. Our aim is to provide best-practice care for patients in Melbourne who require laser eye surgery and cataract surgery, as well as treatment for keratoconus and corneal conditions.

Our modern, centrally located clinic is fully air-conditioned and consists of a reception area, a waiting room, four consulting rooms, a scanning/testing room, a state-of-the-art laser suite, a surgical admission area and a recovery area. These have all been designed to ensure optimum comfort for patients and their carers.

SCHWIND AMARIS laser

Our patients have access to one of the most highly sophisticated laser technology systems available – the SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS laser. This is the only excimer laser system that operates at 1050 Hz and comes with active 7D eye tracking. What this means is that all eye movements are recorded and actively compensated for 1,050 times per second. Ultimately, patients undergoing laser eye surgery benefit from shortened treatment time and enhanced safety.

This new laser technology benefits both LASIK and PRK patients. Patients undergoing LASIK eye surgery can now remain on the same bed throughout the entire procedure. Patients suited to PRK may be able to have an alternative ‘no-touch’ procedure known as transPRK, where no physical contact is made with the eye.

Learn more about safety with the SCHWIND AMARIS 1050RS

Custom ablation

As part of the comprehensive testing performed before laser eye surgery, we map the surface of the eye. For the subset of people whose corneal shape falls outside the normal range, we perform custom ablation where we specifically program the laser to account for your unique eye surface patterns. Custom ablation leads to better outcomes for patients who have an abnormal corneal shape by reducing the likelihood of post-operative side-effects such as glare or halos. It’s important to choose a clinic equipped with technology for a customisable treatment to ensure you achieve your best possible visual outcome.

In addition to providing a range of vision correction procedures, our eye doctors conduct consultations for corneal conditions and cataract surgery. Whether you are visiting our clinic for a refractive, corneal or cataract assessment, we are always happy to answer any questions you may have and always welcome feedback.

Our goal is to provide a consistently premium service and assist you in making a fully informed decision about your eye care.

Vision correction

With the advancements in technology, we can now help the majority of people who wear glasses with some form of vision correction procedure – even if you’ve previously been told you don’t qualify.

We specialise in a range of eye treatments and vision correction techniques and receive laser eye surgery patients from all over Melbourne and beyond.

• LASIK: a two-step laser eye surgery procedure where one laser is used to create a flap in the cornea before reshaping the cornea with another laser.
• PRK: also known as ASLA, this is a laser eye surgery procedure where a topical solution is used to remove the top layer of cells from the cornea before a laser is used for reshaping.
• transPRK: a laser eye surgery procedure where a laser is used to remove the top layer of corneal cells before reshaping. This is a ‘no-touch’ technique.
• Refractive lens exchange: the same surgical procedure as cataract surgery, where the eye’s lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
• Lens implant: a corrective lens is permanently implanted into the eye, working the same way as glasses or contact lenses to give you clear vision.

Laser eye surgery is performed in our on-site laser suite. Refractive lens exchange and lens implants are performed at Camberwell Day Surgery or Panch Day Surgery.

Laser eye surgery appointments

Wherever you are on your journey to having laser eye surgery, we offer an assessment that suits you.

1. Comprehensive full assessment and consultation with your preferred surgeon: One of our highly trained clinical team members will meet with you to perform a range of in-depth diagnostic tests, before you meet with your eye surgeon for a thorough examination and discussion of your laser eye surgery options. Please allow 1.5 hours for this consultation. Surgical consultations attract a fee, but a Medicare rebate is available if you have a referral.
2. Free screening assessment with our clinical team: This 30-minute appointment is to determine if laser eye surgery may be an option for you. Free screening assessment appointments are available both during and outside of standard clinic hours, and it is not necessary to stop wearing soft contact lenses beforehand (please do not wear hard contact lenses for one week prior to your appointment). If you are eligible, you will still require a comprehensive full assessment to proceed with laser eye surgery.

Call us on 1800 1 LASER to book a consultation. Or, click here to book a free laser assessment.

Interstate patients can receive a complimentary night of accommodation in a nearby hotel as part of their package if they proceed with laser eye surgery (conditions apply).

Payment options for laser eye surgery

We offer buy now, pay later (BNPL) payment options for laser eye surgery only, in partnership with humm and Gem Visa.

humm* provides interest-free payment plans you can repay over time. Learn more about humm

Latitude Gem Visa† may be available for laser eye surgery procedures (credit limit subject to approval). Latitude Gem Visa offers interest-free payment plans, low monthly account fees and fast approval. Learn more about Latitude

_{*Payment plan approved applicants only. $8 monthly fee plus other fees, terms, conditions, minimum amounts and exclusions apply. For full terms & conditions please go to https://www.shophumm.com/au/important-information/. Payment plan provided by humm BNPL Pty Limited (ABN 28 129 228 986) a subsidiary of humm group limited.
†Approved customers only. Conditions, fees and charges apply. Credit provided by Latitude Finance Australia ABN 42 008 583 588 Australian Credit Licence number 392145.}

Health insurance for laser eye surgery

Vision Eye Institute and Medibank have partnered to offer a 15% fee reduction on laser eye surgical fees (conditions apply).

Some health funds offer partial cover for laser eye surgery, while BUPA members with Ultimate Health cover receive 100% cover (subject to a 3-year waiting period). We’ll also bill BUPA directly for the surgery – the only costs to you are consultation fees and diagnostic tests.

Contact your health fund to see if you are covered for laser eye surgery (BUPA members can call 134 135 or visit www.bupa.com.au).

Cataract surgery

During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens of the eye is replaced with an artificial one. There are a variety of replacement lens options available, and your eye doctor will help you decide on the lens type that best suits your vision and lifestyle needs.

Cataract surgeries are performed in one of our Melbourne day surgeries and take less than 30 minutes (although you will be in the day surgery for approximately two hours in total).

Corneal conditions

Our eye doctors manage and treat corneal disorders such as keratoconus, recurrent corneal erosion, corneal scarring, corneal dystrophies, corneal ulcers and pterygium (Surfer’s Eye).

Our corneal specialists are experts in a range of treatments, including:

• Collagen cross-linking: This treatment uses a combination of collagen and riboflavin (vitamin B2), which are activated by ultraviolet light, to significantly strengthen the rigidity of the cornea. Collagen cross-linking can effectively stop the progression of keratoconus. Keratoconus patients undergoing collagen cross-linking are eligible for a Medicare rebate.
• Phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK): A laser is used to remove superficial corneal opacities and surface irregularities. The procedure is performed in our on-site laser suite. Patients are eligible for a Medicare rebate with PTK.
• Corneal transplantation: Also called corneal grafting or keratoplasty, donor cornea is used to replace damaged or diseased corneal tissue. This surgical procedure is usually reserved for situations when all other treatment options have been exhausted and is performed at Camberwell Day Surgery.
• Pterygium removal: Using modern microsurgical techniques, the surgeon carefully removes the pterygium and replaces it with a graft of healthy tissue taken from the same eye, which is fixed into place. Pterygium removal is performed at Camberwell Day Surgery.
• Intracorneal rings and inlays: This is a surgical treatment performed in our on-site laser suite that involves the insertion of clear plastic segments into the cornea. These segments are designed to reshape the front surface of the eye, thus correcting refractive errors caused by keratoconus.

Dr Tenen specialises in keratoconus and has extensive experience with corneal collagen cross-linking.

Professor Vajpayee specialises in corneal transplantations, Fuchs’ dystrophy, keratoconus and pterygium.

Fully accredited

We are committed to continuously monitoring and improving customer service. Our practice has developed a quality management system to meet the requirements of the National Safety and Quality Health Services Standards and achieve certification. These standards focus on the effectiveness of a practice’s quality management system in meeting the needs of its customer. Please let our reception staff know if you wish to provide us with feedback on our service – we welcome and appreciate all input.