Refractive Surgery Melbourne
Refractive surgery covers a group of procedures designed to reduce or eliminate dependence on glasses and contact lenses by correcting how light focuses on the retina. This includes laser-based techniques that reshape the cornea (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) and lens-based techniques that replace the eye's natural lens (refractive lens exchange). The right approach depends on your prescription, corneal thickness and shape, age, and lifestyle.
For Patients
A referral from your GP or optometrist is required to see Dr MacIntyre and to access Medicare rebates. Print the note below and take it to your GP or optometrist to make requesting a referral straightforward.
Printable referral request note for patients →For GPs and Optometrists
Dr MacIntyre completed subspecialty fellowship training in refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and offers the full range of laser-based (LASIK, PRK, SMILE) and lens-based (refractive lens exchange) procedures. Referrals for refractive assessment, including patients outside the standard laser range, are welcome.
HealthLink EDI (preferred): nthneyec
Full referral information →Laser Vision Correction: LASIK, PRK & SMILE
LASIK
A thin corneal flap is created and the underlying tissue reshaped with an excimer laser, correcting short-sightedness, long-sightedness, and astigmatism. Recovery is typically fast, with clear vision often achieved within a day or two. For a detailed guide to the LASIK experience from preparation to recovery, see what to expect from LASIK surgery.
PRK
Rather than a flap, the surface layer of the cornea is removed before laser reshaping. PRK is often preferred for thinner corneas or certain occupations, with a longer initial recovery than LASIK but comparable long-term results. For a complete account of the PRK procedure and recovery, see what to expect from PRK surgery.
SMILE
A newer, minimally invasive technique that reshapes the cornea through a small incision, without a full flap.
For a clinical comparison of all three techniques — covering recovery timelines, dry eye risk, corneal thickness requirements, and ideal patient profiles — see the guide to LASIK vs PRK vs SMILE in 2026.
Am I a Suitable Candidate for LASIK Eye Surgery in Melbourne?
LASIK suitability depends on corneal thickness, prescription stability, pupil size, and overall corneal health. A comprehensive assessment including corneal topography and pachymetry is required before any laser refractive procedure can be recommended.
Candidacy depends on corneal thickness and topography, stability of your prescription, and overall eye health — assessed through a comprehensive pre-surgical work-up. Not everyone is suited to laser correction; this is exactly what the consultation process is for.
For the full list of assessment criteria and what the candidacy consultation involves, see the guide to LASIK candidacy assessment.
Is Refractive Lens Exchange (Clear Lens Exchange) Right for Me?
Refractive lens exchange is most suitable for patients over 45 with presbyopia, high prescriptions outside the LASIK range, or early lens changes. It provides permanent vision correction and eliminates the risk of future cataracts.
This procedure goes by several names patients may already have come across. It is sometimes called clear lens exchange or clear lens replacement, and occasionally custom lens replacement or simply lens replacement surgery. For patients over 45 correcting reading vision, it may be described as presbyopia lens surgery, and because the artificial lens is permanent, some patients know it as permanent lens implants. Patients who do not yet have cataracts but are considering lens replacement to reduce spectacle dependence sometimes call this pre-cataract surgery. Whichever term you have heard, all of these describe the same operation: removing the eye's natural lens and replacing it with a premium intraocular lens.
For patients outside the ideal range for laser correction — often due to high prescriptions or age-related changes to the natural lens — refractive lens exchange replaces the eye's lens with an artificial intraocular lens, using the same lens technology available in cataract surgery (including multifocal, EDOF, and toric options). This can address both refractive error and, for older patients, the early stages of lens changes that would eventually require cataract surgery regardless. For population-level outcomes data comparing laser and lens-based approaches, see the laser refractive surgery and RLE outcomes guide.
Why Choose Dr Ross MacIntyre?
Dr MacIntyre completed subspecialty fellowship training in cornea, complex cataract, and refractive surgery at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, one of the world's leading eye institutes. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and holds the FRANZCO fellowship. He is a Staff Specialist at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital where he trains registrars and fellows.
His subspecialty experience spans refractive surgery, complex cataract, and corneal surgery across more than 10,000 ophthalmic surgical procedures, making him well placed to advise patients across the full range of vision-correction options and manage cases where standard approaches may not apply. He consults at Northpark Private Hospital Bundoora and Bass Coast Eye Centre Wonthaggi.
What to Expect
The pathway to refractive surgery follows a consistent structure regardless of which procedure is ultimately recommended:
Comprehensive measurements including corneal topography and pachymetry, wavefront analysis, dry eye assessment, and retinal examination. Takes 60 to 90 minutes. Both eyes are measured in full before any recommendation is made.
Performed as a day procedure under topical anaesthetic drops — no injection required. Laser treatments take 10 to 15 minutes for both eyes. Arrange transport home as you cannot drive after the procedure.
LASIK and SMILE: functional vision within 24 to 48 hours. PRK: blurred for one to two weeks, stabilising over three to six months. Refractive lens exchange: improvement within 24 to 48 hours, full stabilisation over four to six weeks.
Day 1, week 1, and weeks 4 to 6 for most procedures. PRK patients have an extended review schedule to three to six months to monitor corneal healing and manage the steroid taper.
Refractive Surgery Melbourne — FAQ
Ready to Discuss Your Options?
Dr MacIntyre will assess your suitability for laser eye surgery or refractive lens exchange and recommend the approach best suited to your eyes and lifestyle.
Book a Consultation