Eye and Retina Specialists, Sydney

10/08/2026

𝗦𝗠𝗜𝗟𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗲

SMILE Pro is a minimally invasive, flap-free procedure used to correct short-sightedness and astigmatism. It is often described as keyhole laser eye surgery because the treatment is performed through a small incision rather than a large corneal flap.

The ZEISS VISUMAX 800 laser creates a precisely shaped layer of tissue within the cornea, which is removed through the small incision. For short-sighted treatments, the laser stage takes less than 10 seconds per eye, although the complete procedure takes longer.

The small-incision technique disrupts fewer corneal nerves and is often associated with fewer postoperative dry-eye symptoms. It can also provide rapid visual recovery for many suitable patients.

Dr Linda Zheng joins Dr Neil Sharma at Eye and Retina Specialists Sydney. Dr Neil Sharma sub-specialises in treating macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal disease, eye injections, cataract surgery, general ophthalmology and has a special interest in driving licence vision assessments.

Dr Zheng is a refractive, cataract and general ophthalmic surgeon with subspecialty training in laser vision correction. She has a special interest in myopia management for children and adults with myopia (short-sightedness). She offers individualised management strategies aimed at slowing myopia progression where suitable.

People in their mid-40s and 50s often develop problems with blurriness in their near vision, a condition called presbyopia. This is due to the loss of the eye’s ability to refocus at close distances that occurs with normal ageing. Such people may be suitable for PRESBYOND®. This personalised laser blended-vision treatment is designed to extend the range of focus across distance, intermediate and near vision.

Dr Neil Sharma and Dr Linda Zheng provide comprehensive consultations at Eye and Retina Specialists Sydney. Our clinic is located in the Viking Building on O’Dea Avenue, up the road from East Village Shopping Centre. Free patient parking is available.

To make an appointment, discuss obtaining a referral with your GP or optometrist.

Appointments: (02) 9699 0001
E: [email protected]
www.eyeandretina.com.au

Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

08/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗡𝗦𝗪 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻?

In NSW, you must notify Transport for NSW as soon as practicable if you develop a permanent or long-term injury or illness that may affect your ability to drive safely. You should not wait until your next licence renewal.

For vision, this may include loss of vision in one eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration, a significant visual-field defect, persistent double vision or another lasting change that could affect driving.

This does not mean that every routine adjustment to an existing glasses prescription needs to be reported. However, if you need glasses or contact lenses for the first time in order to drive, you need a new eyesight test so the appropriate condition can be added to your licence.

Notifying Transport for NSW does not automatically mean losing your licence. You may be asked to provide an eyesight report from an optometrist or ophthalmologist. Transport for NSW will then decide whether you meet the standard for driving and whether any licence conditions or periodic reviews are required.

You can report a medical or vision change by visiting a Service NSW centre, calling 13 22 13 or emailing [email protected].

Eye and Retina Specialists Sydney can assess visual acuity and visual fields when a specialist driving-vision report is required. Our practice is in Green Square, in the Viking building on O'Dea Avenue. Patient parking is available.

www.eyeandretina.com.au

04/08/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹? Yes. The most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma, usually develops slowly and may cause no noticeable symptoms at first.

Glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve—the bundle of nerve fibres carrying visual information from the retina at the back of the eye to the brain. Central vision used for reading and recognising faces may remain clear while small areas of peripheral vision are affected. Because these changes can be gradual, they may be difficult to notice in everyday life.

Eye pressure is important, but a pressure reading alone cannot diagnose or exclude glaucoma. Some people have raised pressure without optic-nerve damage, while others develop glaucoma even though their measured pressure is within the usual range.

A glaucoma assessment therefore looks beyond pressure. It may include examining the optic nerve, OCT imaging of the retinal nerve-fibre layer, visual-field testing and assessment of the eye’s drainage angle.

Regular eye examinations are particularly important if you have a close relative with glaucoma, have previously been told your eye pressure is high, or use corticosteroid medicines long term. Your eye-care professional can advise how often you should be checked based on your individual risk.

Sudden severe eye pain, a red eye, blurred vision or coloured halos—especially with nausea or vomiting—can indicate acute angle closure and require urgent medical assessment.

Eye and Retina Specialists, Sydney
www.eyeandretina.com.au

02/08/2026

𝗚𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲, 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿 𝗻𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻—𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲?
Difficulty with seeing well at night can often be one of the early symptoms of cataract. In the early stages, a person may still manage well in daylight, yet headlights seem unusually bright, lights develop halos or starbursts, and road markings become harder to distinguish after dark.

A cataract is clouding within the eye’s natural lens, located behind the coloured iris. A clear lens focuses light towards the retina. As the lens becomes cloudy, light is scattered instead of forming a crisp image on the retina. Bright points of light against a dark road can make that loss of contrast and glare particularly noticeable.

New glasses may help in the early stages but become less able to do so as a cataract develops. As vision becomes more blurred, cataracts may make it harder to see street and bus signs, recognise faces from a distance, watch television and read.

Eye & Retina Specialists has served the Sydney community for over a decade. We specialise in cataracts, macular degeneration, diabetic eye disease, glaucoma and other eye conditions. The practice also offers laser eye surgery, implantable collamer lens (ICL) surgery and myopia management.

Patient parking with lift access is available. If glare or changing vision is affecting driving or everyday activities, ask your GP or optometrist to arrange a referral for assessment.

www.eyeandretina.com.au
T: 02 9699 0001

01/08/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘄𝗮𝘃𝘆?

One moment a window frame, door edge or line of bathroom tiles looks straight. The next, part of it seems bent, rippled or broken.

This type of distortion is called "metamorphopsia". It can point to a change in the macula—the small central area of the retina responsible for reading, recognising faces and seeing fine detail.

When fluid, swelling or traction disturbs the macula’s normally smooth structure, central vision can become distorted. Wet age-related macular degeneration is an important cause, but not the only one. An epiretinal membrane, macular hole, diabetic macular oedema and other retinal conditions may produce similar symptoms.

A simple way to compare the eyes is to cover one eye at a time and look at an Amsler grid. You can download one from our website at https://www.eyeandretina.com.au/download-amsler-grid-chart Wear your reading glasses if you normally use them, hold the grid at your usual reading distance in good light, and keep looking at the centre rather than scanning around.

New distortion, a missing patch or a sudden change from your usual vision should be assessed promptly—particularly if it affects one eye. Do not wait for pain: many macular conditions, including age-related macular degeneration, may be painless.

New distortion or changes on the Amsler Grid is a warning sign that warrants an urgent check of your retina and macula.

Eye & Retina Specialists
Green Square, Sydney

31/07/2026

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿?

It sounds contradictory, but watery eyes are not necessarily well-lubricated eyes.

A healthy tear film contains a careful balance of water, oils and mucus. If that film becomes unstable or evaporates too quickly, the sensitive surface of the eye can become irritated. Sensory nerve endings in the cornea—the clear front surface of the eye—detect this irritation and signal the lacrimal glands to produce a sudden flood of reflex tears.

These extra tears can spill over the eyelids or run down the cheeks, but a brief burst of watery tears does not necessarily restore a stable, comfortable tear film. Indoor heating, air conditioning, wind, prolonged screen use and eyelid inflammation can all make the problem more noticeable.

However, watering is not always caused by dry eye. Allergies, infection, eyelid changes and problems with tear drainage can produce similar symptoms.

Persistent or troublesome watering is worth having examined so that the underlying cause can be identified. Seek prompt assessment if it is accompanied by pain, significant redness, sensitivity to light or reduced vision.

Eye & Retina Specialists
Green Square, Sydney

07/06/2026

✈️ Expanded Aviation Colour Vision Testing Services

Eye and Retina Specialists is pleased to announce the addition of the OPTEC® 900 colour vision tester to our practice.

The OPTEC 900 is a specialised colour vision assessment device that has been used in aviation and occupational vision testing. Its availability allows us to offer additional colour vision assessment options for pilots and individuals requiring colour vision testing for occupational or licensing purposes.

As a CASA Designated Aviation Ophthalmologist (DAO), Dr Neil Sharma provides comprehensive aviation eye examinations for both private and commercial pilots. The addition of the OPTEC 900 further expands the range of colour vision assessments available within our clinic.

Our practice is conveniently located on O'Dea Avenue in Waterloo with on-site patient parking and lift access. Our website is www.eyeandretina.com.au

For further information or to arrange an appointment, please contact our reception team on (02) 9699 0001 or email [email protected]

28/04/2026

Dr Linda Zheng has joined Eye and Retina Specialists in Waterloo.

She offers:
• SMILE Pro laser vision correction
• LASIK / PRK
• PRESBYOND laser blended vision
• Cataract surgery
• General eye treatment

Dr Zheng works at Sydney Eye Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She is fluent in English & Mandarin.

Convenient Waterloo location with patient parking.

📍 Eye and Retina Specialists, Waterloo
📞 02 9699 0001
🌐 www.eyeandretina.com.au

20/04/2026

We are pleased to announce that Dr Linda Zheng will be joining Dr Neil Sharma at Eye and Retina Specialists from 11 May 2026.

Dr Zheng is an ophthalmic surgeon with expertise in:

✨ Laser eye surgery (SMILE, LASIK, PRK, PRESBYOND)
✨ Cataract surgery
✨ Myopia management
✨ General ophthalmology

She holds appointments at Sydney Eye Hospital and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, and consults in English and Mandarin.

📍 Located at 30 O’Dea Ave, Waterloo NSW. Free patient parking available.

Bookings now open
📞 02 9699 0001
📧 [email protected]

02/02/2026