Cataract Surgeon & Comprehensive Ophthalmologist
MBBS(Hons) FRANZCO
Dr David van der Straaten is a skilled eye surgeon and comprehensive ophthalmologist, performing private cataract and eyelid surgery, weekly at Holmesglen Private Hospital and monthly at Cabrini Brighton Hospital
He provides advice and medical or surgical treatment for patients with:
- Cataract – astigmatism correction, extended depth of focus and multifocal lens options, YAG laser capsulotomy
- Pterygium with conjunctival graft
- Glaucoma treatments including iStent insertion, SLT laser, YAG laser iridectomy
- Eyelid malposition, excision of skin cancers and reconstruction, benign lumps & cysts
- Tear duct issues – dacryocystorhinostomy,
- Punctal plug insertion for dry eye
- Injections for macular degeneration and macular oedema
- Laser for retinal tears and diabetic eye problems (this laser not yet on site)
- Ocular trauma
- Orbital implants, enucleation/evisceration
- General and inflammatory eye conditions
Dr David van der Straaten graduated from Monash Medical School in 1995, then worked in general medicine, surgery, emergency and ICU at Monash Health for several years before completing the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO) training program through the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in 2006. He received subspecialist training in eyelid and tear duct surgery under Prof. Tim Sullivan at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in 2007 then commenced in private practice in South East Melbourne and as a consultant ophthalmologist at the Alfred Hospital. He is currently Head of Unit at Alfred Ophthalmology.
Dr David van der Straaten has been involved in RANZCO activities and medical education, helping train future generations of eye surgeons and medical students and as an examiner, lecturer and assisting with the RANZCO Victoria Annual Scientific Meeting. He chaired the RANZCO Victoria Branch from 2018-2022 and is on the RANZCO Council.
He has been involved in research on cataract surgery outcomes and has worked in the outreach Sumba Eye Program.
