Cataract operations
More than 6,000.
Dr Simon Chen
Cataract and retina surgeon
MBBS, BSc(Hons), FRANZCO
Dr Simon Chen is an ophthalmologist with expertise in cataract and retinal surgery at Vision Eye Institute Chatswood and is Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales.
He trained in medicine at the University of London, completed ophthalmology training at the teaching hospitals of the University of Cambridge (Addenbrooke’s Hospital) and the University of Oxford (Oxford Eye Hospital), and undertook fellowships in Retinal surgery at Oxford Eye Hospital and the Lions Eye Institute, Australia.
- TeachingAdjunct Senior Lecturer at UNSW and invited conference lecturer.
- ResearchClinical research into cataract surgery and treatments for retinal disease. Research and publications
- A surgical firstPerformed the world’s first combined femtosecond laser cataract surgery and vitrectomy. Read the publication
Approach to your care
Dr Chen aims to protect and improve your sight through thoughtful, personal care that takes account of your eye health, everyday activities and priorities.
He draws on his experience in cataract and retinal surgery, together with current research, to recommend an appropriate approach. This may involve surgery, another treatment or careful monitoring, with a clear plan for your ongoing care.
Clear explanations and shared decisions: how Dr Chen involves you in your care →
Why choose Dr Simon Chen? The reasons patients and colleagues choose him →
Trusted by colleagues
More than 190 medical professionals and their closest relatives have trusted Dr Chen with their cataract or retinal surgery.
They include Sydney ophthalmologists (eye surgeons), optometrists, GPs and nurses.
Over 20 years of cataract & retinal surgery experience
Vitrectomy procedures
More than 4,000.
Intravitreal injections
More than 20,000.
IOL exchanges
More than 200.
YAG laser procedures
More than 500.
Retinal laser procedures
More than 5,000.
Training, affiliations and clinical innovation
Specialist qualification
Practice
Teaching & research
Medical training
Ophthalmology training
Fellowship training
Membership
Clinical software · created by Dr Chen
Ahpra registration MED0001204668 · public register (opens in a new tab)
Areas of clinical practice
Cataract and lens surgery
Cataract surgery, lens selection, refractive lens exchange, IOL exchange and complex cataract surgery.
Retinal surgery
Assessment and surgery for epiretinal membranes, macular holes, retinal tears and detachments, and selected symptomatic floaters.
Medical retinal care
Assessment and treatment of macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion, including injection treatment where appropriate.
Complex and combined care
Planning for eyes with previous surgery, ocular trauma or coexisting cataract and retinal disease.
How Dr Chen explains your options
Understanding your eye condition is part of your care. Dr Chen uses plain language, everyday comparisons and images from your examination to explain what is happening and how treatment may help.
You are encouraged to ask questions, raise concerns and discuss the activities that matter most to you. The conversation includes the likely benefits, limitations, risks and alternatives, so you can take part in choosing a plan that fits your eyes and your priorities.
Published in mivision · December 2025
Practical Analogies for Patient-Friendly Retinal Consultations
Everyday comparisons, diagrams and a patient’s own retinal scans can make complex eye conditions easier to understand. In this article, Dr Chen shares practical ways to explain a diagnosis, discuss treatment and set realistic expectations.
Read Dr Chen’s articleEducation and training
London
Dr Chen studied medicine at St George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biomedical Science (BSc Hons).
Oxford and Cambridge
He trained in ophthalmology at the teaching hospitals of the University of Oxford (Oxford Eye Hospital) and the University of Cambridge (Addenbrooke’s Hospital).
Clinical Supervisor, Gonville & Caius College, 1997–1998Specialist fellowships
He undertook retinal and cataract surgery fellowships at Oxford Eye Hospital in the UK and the Lions Eye Institute in Australia.
Teaching and professional roles
As an Adjunct Senior Lecturer at the University of New South Wales, Dr Chen teaches medical students, optometrists and optometry students about retinal disease and surgery. He is an invited lecturer at conferences in Australia and overseas. From 1997 to 1998 he was a Clinical Supervisor at Gonville & Caius College, University of Cambridge.
Dr Chen has served as an expert peer reviewer for 13 medical journals, assessing scientific manuscripts and providing feedback to journal editors and authors.
View peer-review activity on ORCID
His professional memberships include the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists.
In Australia, he has spoken to community groups including the University of the Third Age, Probus and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Foundation about cataract surgery and retinal disease.
Watch Dr Chen’s surgery videos
Real cataract and retinal operations, filmed through the operating microscope. The videos show surgery in close detail.
Research and publications
Dr Chen has served as a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials of treatments for retinal disease, including VIEW2 in age-related macular degeneration. In VIEW2, he was the principal investigator at Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood, one of the participating centres.
VIEW2 was one of two pivotal trials that helped establish intravitreal aflibercept (an injection into the eye) as a treatment for wet (exudative) age-related macular degeneration. Aflibercept is now used internationally for this condition.
His published work spans retinal disease, cataract surgery and combined procedures.
Publications and presentations
Alongside his clinical practice, Dr Chen contributes to research and shares practical knowledge with ophthalmologists and optometrists. His writing and teaching cover cataract surgery, retinal disease and clear communication with patients.
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Journal publicationsResearch papers, clinical reports and correspondence in peer-reviewed journals
Selected ophthalmic publications in peer-reviewed journals, including collaborative research, case reports and letters. Publication years follow the linked records; online and print dates can differ.
2026
- Prognostic Ability of Automated RPE Sinuosity for Late AMD Supersedes Qualitative Outer Retinal Band AssessmentRead publication
2025
- Determinants of Intergrader Agreement for Key Retinal Photography and OCT Biomarkers in AMDRead publication
- Localising OCTA changes induced by the isometric hand-grip test to the superficial retina in neovascular age-related macular degenerationRead publication
- Proposal of a Simpler Eye‐Level Risk Model Incorporating Reticular Pseudodrusen for the Clinical Prediction of Late Age‐Related Macular DegenerationRead publication
2022
- Comment on: ‘Acute macular neuroretinopathy following COVID-19 vaccination’Read publication
- Response to “Bilateral Retinal Detachments in a Healthy 22-Year-Old Woman After Moderna SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination”Read publication
2018
- The Visual Outcomes of Macular Hole Surgery: A Registry-Based Study by the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal SpecialistsRead publication
- Outcomes of Eyes with Failed Primary Surgery for Idiopathic Macular HoleRead publication
2017
- Branch retinal vein occlusion secondary to a retinal arteriolar macroaneurysm: a novel mechanism supported by multimodal imagingRead publication
2014
- Intravitreal Aflibercept for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion: 18-Month Results of the Phase 3 GALILEO StudyRead publication
- Copy number variations of TBK1 in Australian patients with primary open angle glaucomaRead publication
- Lacquer Cracks Developing After Phakic Intraocular Lens ImplantationRead publication
2013
- Cystoid macular oedema following selective laser trabeculoplasty in a diabetic patientRead publication
2012
- Femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery in phacovitrectomyRead publication
- Femtosecond cataract surgery: A review of current literature and the experience from an initial installationRead publication
2010
- Management of submacular haemorrhage in age-related macular degeneration with intravitreal tenecteplaseRead publication
2009
- A head-tilt test for hypopyon after intravitreal triamcinoloneRead publication
- Effect of triamcinolone acetonide on vascular endothelial growth factor and occludin levels in branch retinal vein occlusionRead publication
- Optical coherence tomography in retinal cavernous haemangioma may explain the mechanism of vitreous haemorrhageRead publication
2008
- Anaesthesia for the laser treatment of neonates with retinopathy of prematurityRead publication
- Sub-Tenon's local anaesthesia for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity with diode laserRead publication
2007
- Variation in anaesthesia for the laser treatment of retinopathy of prematurity--a survey of ophthalmologists in the UKRead publication
- Intravitreal voriconazole for the treatment of endogenous endophthalmitis caused by Scedosporium apiospermumRead publication
2006
- Opaque coating of an intraocular lens and regression of iris neovascularization following injection of triamcinolone acetonide into the anterior chamberRead publication
- Corneal perforation due to severe peripheral ulcerative keratitis in Crohn diseaseRead publication
- Intravitreal triamcinolone for the treatment of ischemic macular edema associated with branch retinal vein occlusionRead publication
- Conjunctival ischaemia subsequent to posterior subtenon's triamcinolone acetonide injectionRead publication
- Tailoring pan-retinal photocoagulation for the haemianopic patientRead publication
- Branch retinal artery obstruction in a patient with a prepapillary loop and carotid artery stenosisRead publication
2005
- Bifid medial rectus muscle insertion associated with intermittent distance exotropiaRead publication
- Videoendoscope-guided fluorescein-assisted vitrectomy for phakic malignant glaucomaRead publication
- Outcomes of referrals by community optometrists to a hospital glaucoma serviceRead publication
- Bleb-associated endophthalmitisRead publication
- Bilateral retinal venous occlusion and unilateral cystoid macular edema in Churg-Strauss syndrome treated with intravitreal triamcinoloneRead publication
- Optical coherence tomography in uncooperative children under general anesthesiaRead publication
2004
- How to inject the HumanOptics 1CU without an injectorRead publication
- Trypan blue staining of anteriorly placed zonules in patients with pigment dispersionRead publication
- Diffuse intraocular dispersion of triamcinolone particles as a cause of sterile endophthalmitisRead publication
- Favorable visual outcome associated with subretinal indocyanine green in macular hole surgeryRead publication
- Symblepharon as the only external sign of an occult intraocular foreign bodyRead publication
- Optical coherence tomography under general anesthesia in a child with nystagmusRead publication
- Pseudohypopyon after intravitreal triamcinolone injection for the treatment of pseudophakic cystoid macular oedemaRead publication
- Vitreous wick syndrome--a potential cause of endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone through the pars planaRead publication
- Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide for ischaemic macular oedema caused by branch retinal vein occlusionRead publication
2003
- Dyskinetopsia during light adaptation associated with nefazodone treatmentRead publication
- Foveal hypoplasia and other ocular signs: a possible case of incontinentia pigmenti?Read publication
2001
- Sympathetic ophthalmia associated with high frequency deafnessRead publication
Professional articles and textbook chapterPractical education for eye-care professionals
Commissioned and contributed educational writing, listed separately from peer-reviewed journal publications.
2026
- Geographic atrophy: Managing patient expectations in the era of treatmentRead publication
2025
- Practical Analogies for Patient-Friendly Retinal ConsultationsRead publication
2024
- Cataract surgery in patients with age-related macular degeneration: Let’s get realRead publication
2022
- Dropped NucleusRead publication
2021
- Cataract Surgery in Patients with Retinal Disease: A Practical ReviewRead publication
2020
- Pearls for the Yamane TechniqueRead publication
- Epiretinal Membrane: A Practical ReviewRead publication
2018
- Degenerative Floaters: A Practical ReviewRead publication
2009
- Vitreoretinal surgeryRead publication
Selected talks, teaching and panelsConferences, university teaching and professional webinars
Selected contributions to professional education. Repeated presentations of the same talk are grouped together.
2026
- Weeds, wine stains & wrinkled tissue paper: Practical analogies to help your patients understand retinal disease
- The double-edged sword — AI in optometry and eyecare
- Surgical video presentation
2024
- Retinal pathology detected using Optos imaging
2023
- Co-management of retinal disease by optometrists & retinal specialists
- Cataract surgery in myopes: Pitfalls & management tips for optometrists
2022
- Cataract surgery in patients with retinal disease
- Mastering retinal OCTs
2021
- Managing asymptomatic retinal breaks
- Retinal case studies for optometrists
2020
- Interpreting OCT scans
- Presbyopia: Pharmacological & surgical treatments
2018
- Interesting ocular trauma cases
- Top tips for reading retinal OCTs
- What can the retina tell us about the brain?
2017
- Practical tips for managing diabetic retinopathy
2014
- Vision-threatening retinal conditions that can look innocuous
Conference abstracts and postersResearch shared at scientific meetings
Selected conference research, including co-authored abstracts and posters. Authorship does not necessarily identify the presenting speaker.
2024
- Patient-surgeon discussion in phacovitrectomy surgery: an analysis of patient information, comfort and anxiety.
- Outer retinal band curvature strongly predicts late age-related macular degeneration (AMD) developmentRead publication
2015
- Anterior capsule integrity during femtosecond laser cataract surgery
- Visual acuity outcomes by baseline perfusion status in COPERNICUS and GALILEO
2014
- A comparison of the verion image guidance system values with conventional measurement devices
2005
- Anaesthesia for the laser treatment of retinopathy of prematurity - A survey of ophthalmologists in the United Kingdom.
2004
- Endoscope guided, fluorescein-assisted vitrectomy for phakic malignant glaucoma.
2002
- Transpupillary thermotherapy in the management of choroidal neovascular membrane.
- Electronic books.
- Shrinking eyeball: a new phenomenon?
2001
- Retinal detachment following long-haul flights, another addition to economy class syndrome?
1999
- Post-phacoemulsification Macular Oedema: Pseudophakic or Diabetic?
- Sympathetic ophthalmitis associated with deafness.
A web app created by Dr Chen to check a patient’s visual field against the Australian driving standard (Austroads, Assessing Fitness to Drive).
A resource for optometrists and ophthalmologists, with learning material.
Community eye care
Dr Chen has supported ophthalmology training in Cambodia and Papua New Guinea, including teaching local ophthalmologists and trainees about retinal disease.
In Cambodia, his volunteer work has included cataract and retinal surgery. He has joined multiple charitable surgical trips with Australian Health Humanitarian Aid (AHHA), most recently in 2026.
AHHA is an Australian charity whose work includes eye surgery and other health and humanitarian programmes.
Vision Eye Institute has also donated an Alcon Constellation Vision System for retinal surgery and an Alcon Centurion Vision System for cataract surgery to AHHA’s eye program in Cambodia, after Dr Chen’s practice upgraded its equipment. Both continue to serve patients there.
About AHHA
How do I make an appointment with Dr Chen?
Appointments and enquiries are made through Vision Eye Institute Chatswood.
Level 3, 270 Victoria Avenue, Chatswood NSW 2067For referrers
Optometrists, GPs and ophthalmologists can refer through Oculo or with the PDF referral form.
Vision Eye Institute confirms your appointment after you submit your request. The request form is not for emergencies. A referral is not strictly essential to request an appointment, but you need a valid one to claim a Medicare rebate for your consultation.