Dr Simon Skalicky

12/08/2026

1. Advanced Preservation Techniques
Cryopreservation: Freezing tissue at ultra-low temperatures extends shelf life, allowing international sharing of donor tissue.

Organ culture methods: Maintain corneas for several weeks, giving surgeons more flexibility in scheduling operations.

2. Bioengineered and Artificial Corneas
Researchers are developing lab-grown corneal cells and synthetic corneal implants, which may one day reduce reliance on human donors.

Early trials of bioengineered corneas have shown promising results, particularly in patients with keratoconus.

3. Digital Matching Systems
Cloud-based donor and recipient databases now allow faster, safer matching of patients with available tissue.

These systems reduce waste and ensure tissue is allocated where it is most urgently needed.

4. Global Collaboration
International sharing of donor corneas is improving access for patients in countries with low donation rates.

Australia is part of a growing network of eye banks working to address global shortages.

10/08/2026

Eye banks are organisations responsible for collecting, evaluating, and distributing donor eye tissue. In Australia, eye banks operate under strict ethical and medical guidelines to ensure tissue safety and quality.

Traditionally, challenges have included:

Limited donor supply – not enough tissue to meet demand worldwide.

Short preservation times – corneal tissue must be transplanted within days of donation.

Geographic barriers – transporting tissue to rural and international patients can be difficult.

In performing advanced and complex glaucoma surgery, Dr Skalicky often requires the use of an eye bank for donor eye (sclera) tissue. He deeply values the professional services of the dedication of the individuals working at eye banks and recognises the critical role that organ donors play in healthcare provision.

05/08/2026

The cornea is the eye’s clear front layer, responsible for focusing light onto the retina. When it becomes cloudy due to disease, injury, or infection, vision can be severely impaired. Conditions requiring corneal transplantation include:

Keratoconus – thinning and bulging of the cornea.

Corneal scarring – often from trauma or infection.

Fuchs’ endothelial dystrophy – a condition affecting the corneal inner layer.

Complications of surgery or contact lens use.

For many patients, a corneal transplant offers the best chance to regain clear and comfortable vision.

03/08/2026

For people living with severe corneal disease, corneal transplantation has long been one of medicine’s greatest success stories. By replacing the damaged or diseased cornea with healthy donor tissue, patients often experience dramatic improvements in vision and quality of life.

However, with global demand increasing and donor tissue availability often limited, the field of eye banking and corneal care is undergoing significant transformation. New preservation methods, bioengineered corneas, and innovative logistics systems are helping ophthalmologists bring the gift of sight to more patients than ever before.

Associate Professor Simon Skalicky, Melbourne ophthalmologist and leading cataract surgeon and glaucoma specialist, explores in his latest article, the recent developments in eye banking, why they matter for Australians, and what the future of corneal transplantation might look like. Read it here https://loom.ly/c9BHgoQ

Discover how advanced preservation, bioengineered corneas & global collaboration are transforming corneal transplantation. Expert insights from Melbourne ophthalmologist A/Prof Simon Skalicky.

29/07/2026

The OCT scan generates a 3-dimensional image of the optic nerve. Glaucoma changes the shape and appearance of the nerve; the OCT detects such changes early and can be useful for diagnosing glaucoma. Serial OCT measurements can be used to monitor for change of glaucoma over time.

27/07/2026

This test involves bright and dim lights shone in your peripheral vision - you will be asked to click a button each time you see a light. This is used to generate a map of peripheral vision for each eye. It can detect loss of peripheral vision from glaucoma that may not be obvious to you. It can also be used to monitor for change in glaucoma over time.

22/07/2026

No. Xen is a Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery device permitted for use as a standalone procedure and is suitable for patients who already have had cataract surgery or who don’t need cataract surgery.

20/07/2026

The Xen is an exciting technology, seen as an improved version of the traditional glaucoma operation (trabeculectomy). The Xen procedure is quicker, more gentle to the eye with less manipulation of the eye. It appears to have the same potential long-term problems as the trabeculectomy however it is unclear if it controls the eye pressure as effectively over the long term. Time will tell if it is as successful as the trabeculectomy (which has been around for 50 years) at controlling glaucoma.

15/07/2026

Xen is performed in theatre under sterile conditions. Like all eye operations there is a small risk of infection or bleeding but generally this is minimal. The eye pressure might become too low temporarily, causing a temporary blurring of vision. Over time the Xen may scar or become blocked, and the scar tissue might need to be removed (an office-based procedure).

13/07/2026

The Xen Implant is unlike conventional glaucoma surgery, because there is no cutting or suturing of the conjunctiva and sclera, resulting in less trauma, greater patient safety and lowered risk. Moreover, there is potentially less intense post-operative follow-up. The Xen Implant surgery is performed in a sterile operating theatre.