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 Rathika Kandasamy
MD MOphthal FRANZCO
Dr Kandasamy is an internationally trained comprehensive ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon with fellowship training in Medical Retina. Her area of interest lies in the management of retinal diseases including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal vascular diseases and uveitis. She is a skilled, experienced cataract surgeon and also manages a wide range of other general eye conditions such as cataract, glaucoma, ocular surface disease and pterygiums.

Dr Kandasamy obtained her medical degree in Malaysia where she was awarded the University Gold Medal and she has completed ophthalmic training in both Malaysia and Australia. She is a fellowship trained medical retina specialist having undertaken subspecialty training in medical retina and uveitis at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Dr Kandasamy is passionate about preventing and managing vision loss and believes patient-centered collaborative care with GPs, optometrists and other specialists are crucial in delivering optimal patient outcomes.

Dr Kandasamy has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at both local and international meetings. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists and is a member of both the Australian Society of Ophthalmology and the Malaysian Society of Ophthalmology. Dr Kandasamy holds public appointments at Monash Health and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.


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.