Vitreoretinal Surgery, Medical Retina, Complex Cataract Surgery
Dr Varma is vitreoretinal surgeon with expertise in adult and paediatric retinal disease.
Clinical Interests
- Vitreoretinal surgery for retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane and retinovascular disorders
- Medical retinal diseases including diabetic eye disease and age-related macular degeneration including injections and laser
- Complex cataract surgery and anterior segment reconstruction including scleral fixated intraocular lenses and iris repair
Background
Dr Varma graduated from The University of Melbourne Medical School with honours, receiving the Dean’s Award from St Vincent’s Clinical School. During his surgical residency years at St Vincent’s Hospital he was the top scorer in neuro-anatomy in the University of Melbourne surgical anatomy course. He went on to train in Ophthalmology at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and was awarded the Filipic-Greer medal for his performance in ophthalmic pathology.
He completed fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery and medical retina at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth, and with the Vitreoretinal Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne. He then undertook further training with leading international experts at:
- Vitreous Retina Macula Consultants of New York (Medical Retina)
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London (Paediatric Retina)
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London (Retinal Surgery)
- Oxford Eye Hospital (Paediatric Retina and Retinal Surgery)
Dr Varma trains fellows in vitreoretinal surgery and advanced cataract surgery at RVEEH and enjoys supervising registrars. He has published in peer-reviewed journals and serves as a Federal Councillor for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO)
Shivesh sees surgical care as not only a technical craft, but a responsibility to support his patients through uncertainty – helping them navigate decisions with clarity, empathy, and always with their best interests at heart.
Current Consultant Appointments
- Vitreoretinal Unit, and Acute and Surgical Ophthalmology Services, RVEEH
- Monash Health, Medical Retina and Vitreoretinal Surgery Services
- Royal Children’s Hospital (Honorary Vitreoretinal Surgeon)
- Mercy Hospital for Women (Retinopathy of Prematurity screening and treatment)
Shivesh enjoys time with his young family, a round of golf, and returns from New York with a growing passion for pickleball.