Delivering world class medical and surgical management
of retinal, macular and vitreous diseases.
Retinology Institute was established by Associate Professor Wilson Heriot in 2017 with an aim to provide care and management for macular, retinal and vitreous diseases. At our friendly practice in Glen Iris, Melbourne, we have state-of-the-art equipment to facilitate accurate diagnosis and optimal management for our valued patients.
Our practitioners are locally and internationally recognised for their clinical insight and surgical expertise, and their dedication extends into research, teaching and presenting at conferences. They appreciate that each patient is unique, and a major part of offering the best clinical care involves detailed assessment and individualised treatment options.
We believe that our current knowledge stands on the shoulders of clinicians and scientists who have expanded our understanding about diseases and treatments. Therefore, we have a need, and an obligation, to continue that exploration for current and future patients. At Retinology, we contribute to developing research by participating in international clinical trials that evaluate new therapies (such as drugs or laser), as well as laboratory-based projects. As such, we blend current and new treatments options and offer the highest level of care for patients suffering from a wide range of retinal conditions.
Patients are generally referred by general practitioners, optometrists and ophthalmologists, but also attend following recommendations from family and friends.
What is a retinal specialist and why would you need to see one, instead of a general eye specialist?
Although the eye appears small and potentially simple, there are a number of highly specialised areas which have very different disease processes. The miniaturisation of eye structures requires extreme precision in the diagnostic and therapeutic management. Retinal specialists undergo subspecialty training, specifically gaining much greater knowledge of retinal and vitreous disorders. This is completed after their 4 years of general training, which covers the basic sciences and general ophthalmic diseases ranging from eyelid pathology through to understanding the visual system within the brain.
Retinal specialists have a range of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment not available at most general ophthalmic practices. This knowledge and equipment is essential to provide much greater accuracy in diagnosis of retinal diseases and to be able to offer more treatment options. At Retinology Institute, we have the full range of diagnostic equipment. For example, ocular coherence tomography (OCT), which is used to study the different tissue layers. We also have OCT angiography, which is a non-invasive new technology that allows us to visualise the detailed layers of the retina, including microvasculature of the retina and the choroid, eliminating the need to conduct fluorescein angiography in specific conditions.
State-of-the-art equipment
Our examination and treatment rooms were designed by A/Prof Heriot after decades of experience around the world. The unique setup encourages face-to-face communication between doctor and patient. The large-wall mounted computer monitor provides clear visualisation of the test results and education material to help patients better understand their disease and treatment.
Specialised diagnostic equipment includes the MAIA macula microperimetry to quantify the severity of macular degeneration and, in particular, better defines the cause of reading problems to guide better reading patterns for some AMD patients.
The practice also features a specially developed powerful laser which facilitates retino-choroidal bypass formation to better treat some forms of retinal vein occlusions, a 3ns 532nm laser which provides a gentler treatment of selected macular diseases, and a unique YAG laser for office-based treatment of “floaters” (laser vitreolysis) which is very effective in selected patients with this condition.
Melbourne specialist in retinal disease for the young and the old.
While we at Retinology Institute treat a wide range of retinal diseases, we specialise in the diagnosis and treatment of macular degeneration, central retinal vein occlusion, diabetic retinopathy and vitreoretinal surgical pathologies. This includes childhood retinal pathology. Under the guidance of A/Prof Heriot, our staff expertly perform the diagnostic tests and assist setting up some of the procedures for treatments of these specialised conditions.