ANIMAL SPECIALISTS

Jazmin

Administration

Alicia

Sian

Alana

Animal Attendant

Katja

Administration

Brandi

Meet Brandi: an American vet nurse who has called Australia home for six years. With a background spanning emergency care, exotics, and now specializing in ophthalmology, she’s a pro in her field.

Beyond the clinic, Brandi’s a dedicated wife, a mother to her young daughter and her beloved pet rabbit Trixie.

Jade

Meet Jade, a dedicated veterinary nurse who moved from the UK for Australia with her partner.

Trained in the UK, her passion for animal care led her across oceans. Now, in Australia, she blends her expertise with a deep love for Aussie wildlife, providing top-notch care and building trust with every patient she serves.

Michaela

Meet Michaela: a passionate veterinary nurse whose world revolves around caring for animals.

From tending to furry friends in need to offering a calming presence, her dedication knows no bounds.

Off-duty, she’s often seen with Ellie, her spirited corgi, who is a true embodiment of her love for animals.

Alannah

Meet Alannah, a dedicated nurse from the Central Coast.

Her compassionate care has touched countless lives. At home, she tends to two budgies, a lizard, and a snake with special needs. Alannah’s nurturing spirit shines both in her profession and her unique family of pets.

Sarah Coall

BVSc MANZCVS (Emergency and critical care) FANZCVS DipECVO

Fernando Martinez-Taboada

LV CertVA PGCert (Biostats) DipECVAA

Fernando graduated as a veterinarian in Spain and worked for a number of years in small animal practice both in Spain and the UK.

He undertook an internship and a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at the University of Bristol, and he became an European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia (DipECVAA) in 2010.

Over the years, Fernando has worked in and headed anaesthesia departments in multiple private and university teaching hospitals.

Fernando’s clinical and research interests focus in the management of acute and chronic pain.

Ella

Hollie

Senior / Administration Nurse

Meet Hollie, an exceptional veterinary nurse, who goes above and beyond in caring for her aging husky, Bandit.

With a deep understanding of her needs, she expertly manages her health, from tailored treatments and exercises to precise medication schedules.

What truly sets Hollie apart is her unmatched compassion. She connects with Bandit on an emotional level, offering comfort and support as she navigates her golden years.

Hollie’s unique blend of expertise and genuine care makes her a remarkable nurse and Bandit’s unwavering champion.

Matt Annear

BSc, BVMS, MS, DipACVO, MANZCVS

After graduating as a veterinarian at Murdoch University in 2003 Matt went on to complete rotating internships in Virginia and a subsequent residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology at Michigan State University.

Here he completed a Masters of Science as part of a collaborative team alongside researchers from University College London, investigating a common cause of human childhood blindness.

He was awarded diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2013. Matt has since worked as an Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University and subsequently at a large private referral practice in New Jersey before returning to Sydney with his family.

Matt enjoys teaching and has a particular interest in cataract surgery, corneal reconstructive procedures and glaucoma surgery.

Keely Wilson

BVSc MVetClinStud MVA MANZCVS DipACVAA

Keely is a Board Certified Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

Keely graduated from Sydney University in 2008 and worked in mixed and emergency practice in Australia and overseas. After completing an equine internship, she stayed in equine referral practice where she developed her love of anaesthesia. Keely started a residency in anaesthesia and analgesia at Murdoch University, training in both the American and European programmes as well as completing two master’s degrees in veterinary Anaesthesia and Veterinary Clinical Studies.

After working in the UK for 18 months both in academia and at a busy referral practice, she has returned to Sydney and works in a number of referral clinics.

She holds memberships in the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Anaesthesia and Analgesia and is a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anaesthetists.

Negar Hamzianpour

BSc (Hons) BVSc PgCertSAOphthal DipECVO MRCVS

Negar is a diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ECVO) Specialist College after completing her residency at the Eye Veterinary Clinic in  Herefordshire, England.

Negar received her degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Liverpool in 2011. Her path to specialization included a general rotating internship at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals (Royal Veterinary College), an ophthalmology internship at Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service (Solihull) and several years in private small animal practice around the UK.

Negar had seen practice all over the world, been successful in the acceptance of multiple scientific publications and has finally chosen to move across the world to settle in Sydney with her Australian partner.

Negar, also known as Dr Neg, is passionate about the human-animal bond, extremely empathetic and considerate to her patients needs and wants to improve every day with guidance from her clients about how to improve their experience with us.

Publications

Hamzianpour N, Dawson C, Rhodes M. Evaluation of client satisfaction and perception of their dog’s adaptation following bilateral enucleation. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2019; 22 (5): 566- 576

• Abstract presentation at ECVO Congress, Florence, May 2018

Hamzianpour N, Jones RG, Wilson N, McElroy P, Heinrich C, Scurrell E. Clinical and pathological findings in three dogs with nodular granulomatous keratitis Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2018; 22 (4): 529-537.

• Abstract presentation at British Society of Veterinary Pathologists Companion Animal Meeting on Ocular Pathology, Birmingham, June 2018
• Poster presentation at ECVO Congress, Florence, May 2018

Hamzianpour N. The ophthalmic examination in the dog and cat. VetCPD. 2019; 6 (1): 32-36.

Hamzianpour N, Lam R, Beltran E. Clinical signs, imaging findings and outcome in twelve cats with internal ophthalmoparesis/ophthalmoplegia. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2018; 21 (4): 382- 390.

• Abstract presentation at BrAVO Spring Meeting, Birmingham, UK, April 2017
• Poster presentation, ACVO Conference, Monterey, CA, October 2016

Hamzianpour N, Pinheiro de Lacerda R, Rhodes M. Recurrent corneal ulceration in a young dog due to an ectopic cilium in an unusual location. Veterinary Record Case Reports. 2017; 5 (4): e000503; doi: 10.1136/vetreccr-2017-000503

Hamzianpour N. Bilateral mydriasis in a senior neutered Toy Poodle. Vet Times. 10 April 2017

Hamzianpour N and Chan DL. Assessment of the contribution of platelets and clotting proteases via thromboelastography in the hypercoagulable state of dogs with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 2016; 26 (2): 295-299

• Abstract presentation at BSAVA congress, Birmingham, UK, April 2014

Hamzianpour N, Eley TS, Kenny PJ, Sanchez RF, Volk HA, De Decker S. Magnetic resonance imaging findings in a dog with sensory neuronopathy. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2015; 29: 1381-1386

• Poster presentation at 26th Annual Symposium of the European Society of Veterinary Neurology, Paris, France, September 2013

Hamzianpour N. Clinical conundrum: a case of sudden onset bilateral blindness in a Domestic Shorthair cat. BSAVA companion. 2013

Hamzianpour N, Adams V.J., Grundon R.A., Linn-Pearl R., Scurrell E., Rozmanec M., Civello A., Goss R., Watkins C., Kearns H., Heinrich C. Assessment of the inter-rater agreement of corneal cytology and culture findings in canine ulcerative keratitis. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2022; 63 (3): 188 – 196.

• Abstract presentation at ECVO Virtual Congress, May 2021

Ione

Accounts Manager

Kirsti

Paul McCarthy

BSc DVM Ophthalmology Resident

Paul graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Sydney. Following graduation, Paul completed a multidisciplinary internship at Northside Veterinary Specialists and an ophthalmology internship with the Eye Clinic for Animals.

Paul has an interest in research and has published in four veterinary journals and presented at two Australian veterinary conferences. His current research focuses are in the areas of canine vision loss, vitreoretinal surgery and the ophthalmic anatomy of Australian Marsupials.

Since joining the Eye Clinic for Animals, Paul has also assisted with teaching at University of Sydney for ophthalmology practicals and tutorials.

Paul is currently a resident at the Eye Clinic for Animals and is training to be a veterinary eye specialist.

Presentations:

– Anxiety and depression in dogs with vision loss. Centre for Veterinary Education “What’s behaviour got to do with it? 2021

– What is that eye trying to tell me? Australian Veterinary Association VetFest Conference. 2020

Publications:

– Use of a chronic soft tissue expansion device to facilitate blepharoplasty in a horse with lower lid cicatricial ectropion with a 14 year follow-up. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2020

– Surgical approach to a nasolacrimal duct atresia in a German Shepherd Puppy. Australian Veterinary Practitioner. 2020

– Progressive visual loss and severe retinal degeneration in a captive Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos mittendorfi). Veterinary Record Case Reports. 2020

– Accidental arterial catheterisation during a maxillary nerve block using a modified infraorbital approach in a dog. Veterinary Record Case Reports. 2020

William Irving

BVSc Ophthalmology Resident

William Irving, Cameron Whittaker, Kelly Caruso, Benjamin Reynolds, Paul McCarthy, Jeff Smith. Bullous keratopathy in a dwarf rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus). Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. 2023

Ranocchia, J., Irving, W. and Haase, B. Exclusion of previously described variant in LTBP2 for primary glaucoma in Australian Burmese cats. Anim Genet. 2023

Irving, W, Annear, M, Whittaker, C, Caruso, K, Reynolds, B, McCarthy, P, Smith, J
Effect of dexmedetomidine added to retrobulbar blockade with lignocaine and bupivacaine in dogs undergoing enucleation surgery. Vet Ophthalmol. 2023; 00: 1- 10

Caruso K, Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Smith J, Irving W, McCarthy P, Hamzianpour N, Boo G. Use of subdermal hyaluronic acid injections and a free labial mucocutaneous graft for the repair of feline eyelid agenesis. Vet Ophthalmol. 2022 May;25(3):209-218.

Reynolds B, Whittaker C, Caruso K, Annear M, Hamzianpour N, Irving W, McCarthy PMG, Smith J. An investigation into the development of qualitative tear film disorders in dogs following cryoepilation for distichiasis. Vet Ophthalmol. 2023 Apr;26 Suppl 1:168-172.

Presentations:

Clinical Outcomes of Empirical Selection of Chloramphenicol and Ofloxacin in the Treatment of Keratomalacia. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Conference. 2020

Effect of dexmedetomidine added to retrobulbar blockade with lignocaine and bupivacaine in dogs undergoing enucleation surgery. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Conference. 2021

Canine Eyelid Reconstruction Using a Free Labial Mucocutaneous Graft Following Large Mass Resection. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Conference. 2022

Clinical features of primary glaucoma in Australian Burmese cats. Australian College of Veterinary Sciences’ Science Week Conference. 2022

Superficial keratectomy for the treatment of spontaneous chronic corneal epithelial defects (SCCEDs). Australian College of Veterinary Sciences’ Science Week Conference. 2023

Lauren

Reception Manager

Associate Professor Alex Hunyor

MB BS (Hons), FRANZCO, FRACS Human Ophthalmology Professor

A/Prof Alex Hunyor is a retinal specialist with expertise in vitreoretinal surgery and macular disease. He graduated with Honours from Sydney University Medical School in 1990, and trained in ophthalmology at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (RVEEH) in Melbourne. He was awarded both the Cedric Cohen and the Ken Howsam Medals for excellence in the RANZCO examinations, and the RANZCO-ARVO and RANZCO-Sigma Scholarships. He then undertook 3½ years of subspecialty training in medical and surgical retina at RVEEH, the Casey Eye Institute (Portland, Oregon USA) and with Professor JDM Gass at Vanderbilt University (Nashville, TN). Alex returned to practice in Sydney in 2000.

Alex is Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and member of the Macular Research Group at the Save Sight Institute, University of Sydney. He is involved in numerous clinical trials for treatment of retinal diseases. He is one of the principal investigators in the Australian Macular Hole Study and the Fight Retinal Blindness project.

He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists, Oceania Retina Association, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, and the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS). He is the Australian international delegate to the ASRS. Alex serves on the Medical Board of the Macular Degeneration Foundation, and is a Governor on the Board of the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation.

Alex is an examiner for the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Examinations, Chair of the RANZCO Medicare Advisory Committee, and is involved in teaching of local ophthalmic trainees and ophthalmologists as well as participating in education of overseas specialists through the RANZCO International Development Programme. He has received the RANZCO Award for Excellence in Training on 5 occasions. He has given many lectures at local and international scientific meetings, has over 40 peer-reviewed publications, and serves as a reviewer for several ophthalmic journals as well as the Medical Journal of Australia.

Laura

Head Nurse | Artarmon

Meet Laura, an exceptional veterinary nurse who traded the UK for Australia.

With her solid skills and caring nature, she continues to work her magic down under, ensuring the well-being of all furry friends.

Ben Reynolds

BVSc Ophthalmology Registrar

Ben graduated as a veterinarian from James Cook University winning numerous academic awards during the degree. Since this time at university, Ben’s interest in ophthalmology saw him undertake externships to veterinary ophthalmology centres across Australia, the UK and the USA. Ben was fortunate enough to win an international scholarship in 2018 to allow him to undertake advanced ophthalmology training at North Carolina State University while working at one of Brisbane’s largest veterinary hospitals.

Ben joined the Eye Clinic for Animals as an intern in January 2019, and completed his ophthalmology residency in 2022. In this time, Ben underwent further training via an externship at the University of California, Davis. Ben has a passion for all aspects of ophthalmic medicine and surgery. Ben has also been assisting in teaching students at the University of Sydney their ophthalmology practicals and tutorials.

Ben is one of the registrars at Eye Clinic for Animals, and is preparing to sit examinations to be recognized as a veterinary ophthalmology specialist.

Presentations:

– Infectious keratitis in horses of North Queensland: ex vivo susceptibility patterns for fungal and bacterial species. Australian College of Veterinary Sciences’ Science Week Conference. 2018

– Advanced Tear Film Analysis: establishing normative data for canine ocular surface analysis diagnostic tests. Australian College of Veterinary Sciences’ Science Week Conference. 2019

– A review of qualitative and quantitative tear film disorders in dogs. Australian Veterinary Association VetFest Conference. 2020

– Using optical coherence tomography to determine anterior segment morphology and morphometry in selected Australian reptile species. American College of Veterinary Ophthalmology Conference. 2020

– Patient and tumour factors influencing canine mast cell tumour histological grade and mitotic index. Veterinary and Comparative Oncology. 2019

– Surgical approach to a nasolacrimal duct atresia in a German Shepherd Puppy. Australian Veterinary Practitioner. 2020

– Microsporidial stromal keratitis in a cat. Medical Mycology Case Reports. 2020

– Retinal cone photoreceptor distribution of the American Black Bear (Ursus americanus). The Anatomical Record. 2020

– Use of a chronic soft tissue expansion device to facilitate blepharoplasty in a horse with lower lid cicatricial ectropion with a 14 year follow-up. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2020

– Use of subdermal hyaluronic acid injections and a free labial mucocutaneous graft for the repair of feline eyelid agenesis. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2021

– Textbook chapter: “Ophthalmology of Marsupials” and “Ophthalmology of Monotremes”. Wild and Exotic Animal Ophthalmology. 2022

– An investigation into the development of qualitative tear film disorders in dogs following cryoepilation for distichiasis. Veterinary Ophthalmology. 2022

Joanna

Administration

Dru

Assistant Manager

Katrina

Operations Manager

Mayara

Head Nurse | Artarmon

Meet Mayara, our dedicated veterinary nurse with a unique background. Hailing from Brazil, Mayara is not just a skilled nurse, but a qualified veterinary doctor with a wealth of knowledge.

Mayara’s love for animals extends beyond her professional role – she’s a proud parent to two adorable King Charles Cavaliers. Their wagging tails and joyful antics are a testament to her exceptional commitment to animal welfare.

Adam

Andrea

Senior / Administration Nurse

Meet Andrea: a caring veterinary nurse residing in Sydney’s inner west. With a love for all creatures, she tends to their well-being with compassion and tenderness.

Her corgi, Petite Lychee, is her faithful sidekick, embodying her affectionate nature.

Beyond her clinic role, Andrea champions vegan living, a testament to her commitment to animal welfare.

Cameron J G Whittaker

BvSc, MACVSc, DVCS, DACVO

Cameron graduated from Sydney University in 1989. After spending time in mixed animal practice he completed an internship at Sydney University in 1992 and the following year commenced a residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology at the University of Florida. He was granted Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 1996. He then worked at the Ohio State University as a visiting Assistant Professor before returning to Australia in 1997 to join Eye Clinic for Animals and providing specialist ophthalmology services to both small and large animals in Sydney and regional areas of NSW.

Cameron also has served the NSW Division of the AVA and currently provides medicine and surgery lectures and practical sessions to Sydney University students. He voluntarily provides services to wildlife at both Sydney and Western Plains Zoos.

Cameron has a special interest in cataract surgery, glaucoma, corneal medicine and surgery, retinal surgery and exotic animal ophthalmology.

Publications:

Veterinary Ophthalmology 3rd edition

Manual of Equine Practice 2nd edition

Veterinary Clinics of North America – Ophthalmology edition

Kelly Caruso

BSc, VMD, MACVSc, DACVO

Kelly graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine in 1997 after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biology from St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. She then completed internships in Equine Medicine and Surgery, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, Ophthalmology and Emergency Medicine and Critical Care. Kelly then completed a residency under the tutelage of Professor Seth Koch – one of the founding members of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists – and was granted Membership of that body in 2007.

Kelly has written numerous papers in international journals and has lectured extensively both in the USA and internationally and won various teaching awards. In 2010 she came to Australia to work in specialist ophthalmology practice.

Publications:
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, “What Is Your Diagnosis?: Retrobulbar mass in a dog” Vol 221, No.11, December 1, 2002

Presentations:
“Ocular Blastomycosis: Review of the literature and a case report” Presented in Cambridge, England June 2003 and in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho October 2003

“Canine Ocular Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumours: A report of 3 cases with clinical and histologic features and a review of the literature”. Presented in Washington DC October 2004

Jeffrey S Smith

BVSc, FACVSc, DACVO

Jeff graduated from Sydney University in 1970 and after 3 years in general practice completed a residency in Veterinary and Comparative Ophthalmology at Cornell University and was granted Diplomate status of the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists in 1977. Returning to Australia in 1978 Jeff gained Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Canine Medicine and in 1983 become a Fellow of the ACVSc in Veterinary Ophthalmology.

Since that time Jeff has been responsible for setting up the oldest continually operating veterinary ophthalmology practice (Eye Clinic for Animals) in Australia. He has served as Vice President and President of the Australian Veterinary Association(NSW division) and is on the Editorial Board of The Veterinarian and of the Australian Veterinary Journal.

Jeff currently provides lectures and tutorials for students at Sydney University in ophthalmic medicine, surgery and pathology as well as providing specialist ophthalmology services to small, large and exotic animals in Sydney and regional areas of NSW.

Publications:

Smith, JS., Bistner, S., Riis, R. Infiltrative corneal lesions resembling fibrous histiocytoma: clinical and pathological findings in six dogs and one cat. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1976; 169: 722 – 766.

Smith, J.S., deLahunta, A., Riis, R.C. Reticulosis of the visual system in a dog. J Small Anim Prac. 1977: 18:643.

Barnes, JA., Smith JS. Bilateral phacofragmentation in a New Zealand fur seal. J. Wildlife Med. 2004: 35, 1: 110-112.

Smith, JS. Diseases of the Orbit. In Kirk’s Current Veterinary Therapy VI 624 – 628, 1978.

Smith, JS. Blindness – An overview. Hungerford’s Diseases of Livestock 1692 -1698, 1990.

Smith, JS, Harper,PAW. Ophthalmologic manifestations of ceroid lipofuscinosis in Devon Cattle. Trans Eighteenth Annual Scientific Program American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists. 44 – 49, 1987.

Smith, JS. Optic neuropathies. Small Animal Secrets. Ed. Ronald Riis, 2001.

Center, SA, Smith, JS. Ocular lesions in a dog with serum hyperviscosity secondary to an IgA myeloma. J. Am. Vet Med Assoc. 181: 811.1982.

Smith, JS. Clinical Veterinary Advisor. Birds and Exotic Pets. Ed. Elsevier Saunders, St Louis . Missouri, 2013.