A/ Prof Christine Chen
MBBS PhD FRANZCO
A/ Prof Chen obtained her medical degree at the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Clinical School. She then completed a PhD in Ophthalmology at the University of Melbourne and undertook her ophthalmology training at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. A/ Prof Chen further subspecialised in cataract surgery and treatment of macular diseases by completing a Cataract Surgery Fellowship at Monash Health Melbourne, a Clinical Medical Retina and Uveitis Fellowship at Moorfields Hospital London and a Clinical Medical Retina and Uveitis Observership at Vitreous Retina Macular Consultants of New York.

A/Prof Chen offers public cataract surgery at Cranbourne Day Surgery, Monash Health, and private cataract surgery at Sir John Monash Private Hospital.

Public and Academic Appointments:
  • Director, Ophthalmology Department, Monash Health
  • Adjunct Clinical Associate Professor, Clinical Sciences, Monash Health
  • Honorary Consultant, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
  • Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne
Dr Szczepan Nowakowski
MBBS PhD FRANZCO
Dr Nowakowski obtained his medical degree at the University of Melbourne and the St Vincent’s Clinical School. Prior to this, he completed a PhD in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at Monash University.His training in ophthalmology was undertaken at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, where he also completed his subspecialty training in Medical Retina and Ocular Immunology.

Dr Nowakowski offers private and public cataract surgery at Cranbourne Day Surgery, Monash Health, and private cataract surgery at Sir John Monash Private Hospital.

Public and Academic Appointments:
  • Consultant Ophthalmologist, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
  • Consultant Ophthalmologist, Monash Health
Dr Bernardo Soares
MD FICO FRANZCO
Dr Soares is a Melbourne based Ophthalmologist. After completing his medical degree both in Brazil and in Portugal and graduating from the Federal University of Minas Gerais, Dr Soares underwent ophthalmic training in both Brazil and in Australia, having completed fellowships in Glaucoma in Brazil and in Glaucoma and in Advanced Cataract Surgery at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne.

His main interests are in complex glaucoma and cataract surgeries, ophthalmic teaching and surgical training of future colleagues as well as community collaborative care.

Dr Soares has published his research work in peer-reviewed journals and presented at several international conferences. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, the International Council of Ophthalmology and the Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology.
Dr Soares also converses in Portuguese and Italian.

Dr Soares offers private and public cataract surgery at Cranbourne Day Surgery, Monash Health and through Neerim Health at Neerim South and private cataract surgery at Sir John Monash Private Hospital, Clayton, Neerim Health, Neerim South and Frankston Private Hospital, Frankston
Public and Academic Appointments:
  • Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital
  • Consultant, Monash Health
Dr Sasya Ravuri
MBBS,MS(Ophth), FICO, MRCSEd (Ophth),FRANZCO
Dr Ravuri completed her basic medical and general ophthalmology training in India in 2014, following which she completed a two year intensive Cornea and Anterior Segment fellowship at the world renowned LV Prasad Eye Institute and worked as a Clinical Adjunct in the Department of Cornea and Anterior Segment. During her time at LV Prasad Eye Institute, Dr.Ravuri gained extensive surgical experience in managing complex cataract, corneal and ocular surface conditions. She is well equipped in treating anterior segment conditions such as Complex pterygiums, Keratoconus, Corneal dystrophies, Corneal infections and other surface disorders.

After moving to Australia, she worked as the Senior Registrar , Cataract and Medical Retina fellow at Monash Health and as a Medical Officer at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hopsital for 3 years before her admittance as a fellow of RANZCO. During this time she expanded her experience in the field of Medical Retina, especially in managing Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration and Vein Occlusions.

Apart from her sub-specialist work, Dr Ravuri is a prolific cataract surgeon and expertly manages general ophthalmology conditions and ocular emergencies.

Dr.Ravuri holds public appointments at Monash Health and Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hopsital. Having worked at both Monash Health and the Royal Victorian Eye Hospital, she is well versed with the public Ophthalmology referral systems and can cater to individual patient needs efficiently.

Dr.Ravuri is has been involved in teaching cataract surgery and laser procedures for young trainees since 2016 and thoroughly enjoys this role. She has presented in national and international conferences and believes in constantly updating her clinical knowledge and skill set in the pursuit of practicing evidence based medicine.

Dr.Ravuri is very passionate about Ophthalmology and is constantly guided by the principles of equity and excellence she learnt as a trainee at the LV Prasad Eye Institute and applies this to her practice of Ophthalmology with every patient.


Dr Damien Ling
MBBS(Hons) BMedSc(Hons) MMed(OphthSc) FRANZCO
Dr Damien Ling is a highly skilled and experienced ophthalmologist, cataract surgeon, and fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist. He has particular expertise in cataract surgery and glaucoma management, including laser and surgical procedures. Dr Ling also has a clinical interest in the management of diabetic eye disease, age-related macular degeneration, retinal vascular diseases, and general ophthalmology.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Dr Ling obtained his medical and honours degrees from Monash University, and a Masters degree from The University of Sydney in collaboration with the Centre for Eye Research Australia. He has extensive surgical experience, completing terms in nine different surgical subspecialties working in hospitals across Melbourne. Dr Ling gained additional years of ophthalmology experience in New South Wales and Tasmania, before completing comprehensive ophthalmology training at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. He subsequently undertook the prestigious Glaucoma Fellowship at the same institution, which provided subspecialty training in advanced glaucoma and cataract surgery.

Dr Ling is committed to maintaining the high quality of ophthalmic care in Australia. He was Registrar of the Court of Examiners for both the basic and final clinical examinations of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), and previously served as the representative for final year trainees in Victoria.

Outside of medicine, Dr Ling enjoys spending time with his wife and young family (and cat). An avid violinist, he has performed with ensembles including The Australian Doctors Orchestra and Corpus Medicorum.

Dr Ling practices evidence-based, patient-centred care, and believes in investing time discussing each patient’s condition and treatment options with them. He holds public appointments as a consultant ophthalmologist at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Monash Health, and Austin Health.


Our ophthalmologists operate in several locations including St John Monash Private Hospital, Monash House Private Hospital, Monash Health Cranbourne Centre and Neerim Health, Neerim Sth.