When your GP or optometrist refers you to an ophthalmologist, you might assume all ophthalmologists offer the same service. In fact, the field of ophthalmology spans a wide range of subspecialties and for complex conditions or procedures, seeing a surgeon with specific subspecialty training can make a significant difference to your outcome.
Northern Eye Consultants was founded on the principle that patients in Melbourne's northern suburbs deserve access to the same level of subspecialty eye care that was previously only available in the CBD or at major teaching hospitals. Our team of eight FRANZCO-certified ophthalmologists covers every major subspecialty area under one roof at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora.
What is subspecialty training in ophthalmology?
Subspecialty training in ophthalmology refers to an additional one to two years of focused fellowship training undertaken after FRANZCO qualification, at a recognised national or international centre. It provides concentrated experience in a specific area — such as corneal transplantation, vitreoretinal surgery, or glaucoma surgery — that goes well beyond what general ophthalmology training covers. Not all ophthalmologists hold this additional training.
Standard ophthalmology training in Australia leads to the FRANZCO qualification, a rigorous program that produces competent, well-rounded eye specialists. Most general ophthalmologists complete FRANZCO training and manage a broad range of conditions including cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye disease, and macular degeneration.
Subspecialty training goes further. After completing FRANZCO, some ophthalmologists undertake an additional one to two years of focused fellowship training in a specific area such as corneal transplantation, complex cataract surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, glaucoma surgery, oculoplastics, or neuro-ophthalmology. This fellowship training, typically undertaken at a major international or national centre, provides a depth of experience in complex cases that would otherwise take many years of independent practice to accumulate.
The subspecialties at Northern Eye Consultants
Northern Eye Consultants offers subspecialty care across all major areas of ophthalmology under one roof at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora. The practice covers cataract surgery with premium IOL implantation, corneal transplantation (DMEK, DSAEK, DALK), refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, SMILE), medical retina and intravitreal injections, glaucoma medical and surgical management, oculoplastics, vitreoretinal surgery, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Our practice was deliberately structured to bring multiple subspecialties together, so that patients with complex or overlapping conditions can be managed within a single practice rather than being referred between multiple specialists at different locations.
Our subspecialty areas include cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implantation, corneal transplantation including DMEK, DSAEK, and DALK, refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, medical retina and intravitreal injections, glaucoma medical and surgical management, oculoplastics and lacrimal surgery, vitreoretinal surgery, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Why subspecialty training produces better results for routine cases
A common misconception is that subspecialist surgeons are best reserved for complex cases and that patients with a straightforward cataract are better served by a general ophthalmologist. The opposite is true.
A surgeon who can safely manage the most technically demanding cases, including eyes with previous refractive surgery, corneal disease, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and subluxated lenses, applies that same level of precision and preparation to every case. The difference between a routine outcome and a difficult intraoperative situation is often discovered during surgery rather than before it. A surgeon with deep subspecialty experience in anterior segment surgery has encountered these situations and has the skills to manage them without the need to escalate.
This breadth of experience also matters for IOL selection. The choice of intraocular lens, the accuracy of biometry planning, and the decision about which patients are suitable candidates for premium lenses all benefit from subspecialty anterior segment training. A surgeon who performs corneal transplantation and manages complex corneal disease has a deeper understanding of how the cornea influences the refractive outcome of cataract surgery than one who does not.
The same principle applies across all subspecialties in our team. Dr Xavier Fagan's subspecialty training in medical retina and ocular inflammatory disorders means he brings a level of macular assessment to his cataract consultations that a general ophthalmologist cannot. Patients with early macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy having cataract surgery benefit from having their retinal disease assessed by the same surgeon performing the cataract.
Why this matters for patients from Epping, Greensborough, Mill Park, and beyond
Subspecialty ophthalmology care is now available locally for patients across Melbourne's northern suburbs at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora. Patients from Epping, Greensborough, Mill Park, Diamond Creek, Eltham, and surrounding areas no longer need to travel to the CBD or the Eye and Ear Hospital for complex cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, premium IOL implantation, glaucoma surgery, or vitreoretinal procedures.
Patients from Melbourne's northern suburbs including Epping, Greensborough, South Morang, Mill Park, Diamond Creek, Eltham, Whittlesea, Thomastown, Preston, Heidelberg, and Reservoir previously had limited access to subspecialty ophthalmology locally. Complex cases typically required a journey to the CBD or the Eye and Ear Hospital.
Northern Eye Consultants changes that. Subspecialty cataract surgery, corneal transplantation, premium IOL selection, complex glaucoma management, and vitreoretinal procedures are all available at Northpark Private Hospital in Bundoora.
Subspecialist care also matters for patients who need more than one procedure. A patient presenting with cataract and glaucoma can discuss combined cataract and glaucoma surgery with a surgeon experienced in both conditions, rather than being managed by separate practitioners. A patient with keratoconus and a developing cataract can discuss the full sequence of management including crosslinking, contact lens options, and eventual cataract surgery, all within the one practice.
Northern Eye Consultants has been designed so that patients in Melbourne's northern suburbs do not need to travel to the CBD for subspecialist eye care. All eight of our FRANZCO ophthalmologists consult and operate at Northpark Private Hospital, Bundoora.
For patients in the Bass Coast and South Gippsland region, Dr Ross MacIntyre also consults at Bass Coast Eye Centre in Wonthaggi and performs public cataract surgery at Wonthaggi Hospital. Pre-operative assessment can be arranged through Northern Eye Consultants in Bundoora. For Wonthaggi consulting and contact details see drmacintyre.com.
To make a referral or book an appointment, contact us on (03) 9466 8822 or refer via HealthLink EDI nthneyec.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a general ophthalmologist and a subspecialist?
A general ophthalmologist holds FRANZCO qualification and can manage a broad range of eye conditions. A subspecialist has completed additional fellowship training of one to two years in a specific area such as corneal transplantation, vitreoretinal surgery, or glaucoma surgery, giving them significantly deeper experience in complex cases within that area.
What subspecialties are available at Northern Eye Consultants?
Northern Eye Consultants offers subspecialty care in cataract surgery with premium IOLs, corneal transplantation including DMEK, DSAEK, and DALK, refractive surgery including LASIK, PRK, and SMILE, medical retina and intravitreal injections, glaucoma management and surgery, oculoplastics, vitreoretinal surgery, and neuro-ophthalmology.
Where is Northern Eye Consultants located?
Northern Eye Consultants operates from Northpark Private Hospital, 135 Plenty Road, Bundoora VIC 3083. Phone: (03) 9466 8822. HealthLink EDI: nthneyec. Dr Ross MacIntyre also consults at Bass Coast Eye Centre in Wonthaggi and performs public cataract surgery at Wonthaggi Hospital. Pre-operative assessment can be arranged through Northern Eye Consultants. For Wonthaggi contact details see drmacintyre.com.
Do I need a referral to see a subspecialist at Northern Eye Consultants?
A referral from your GP or optometrist is required to access Medicare rebates. GPs and optometrists can refer via HealthLink EDI nthneyec or fax to (03) 9466 8833.
Our Surgeons
Dr Ross MacIntyre MD FRANZCO
Dr MacIntyre is a subspecialist ophthalmologist and Practice Director of Northern Eye Consultants. He completed his ophthalmology residency at Brown University (an Ivy League medical school) in Providence, Rhode Island, where he was appointed Chief Resident. He then completed fellowship training in cornea, complex cataract, and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, one of the world's leading eye hospitals, followed by a cornea fellowship at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He holds a Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology, is a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honour Medical Society, and holds a staff specialist appointment at RVEEH. For patients wanting to understand what to expect at a cataract surgery consultation, Dr MacIntyre has written a detailed guide at drmacintyre.com.
Dr Xavier Fagan MBBS (Hons) FRANZCO
Dr Fagan is a subspecialist ophthalmologist and Practice Director of Northern Eye Consultants. He trained in ophthalmology at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and completed 18 months of fellowship training in medical retina and ocular inflammatory disorders at RVEEH. He was awarded the K G Howsam Medal for the best performance in the FRANZCO fellowship examination across Australia and New Zealand. He holds a public consultant appointment at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and is a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Melbourne.