A/Professor Elaine Chong
MBBS MEpi PhD Melb, FAMS, FRANZCO (Medal)
Ophthalmologist
Sub-speciality Fellowship Training in:
Ophthalmologist
Sub-speciality Fellowship Training in:
- Cataract & Advanced Cataract Surgery
- Corneal Diseases & Corneal Transplant Surgery
- Laser Refractive Surgery
- Medical Retinal Subspecialist
A/Professor Elaine Chong is an ophthalmologist with a long track record of excellence supported by multiple international and national awards.
She is a highly experienced cataract surgeon with a focus on precise refractive results. She has performed well over 5000 cataract surgeries, including femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgeries.
A/Professor Chong is also a corneal surgeon who performs laser surgery, cornea cross linking for keratoconus & the latest lamellar partial thickness corneal transplants for various corneal diseases which are preferential to the traditional full thickness corneal transplants. This includes advanced DMEK surgery for Fuch's endothelial dystrophy and other conditions and Corneal Allogenic Intra-stromal Ring Segments (CAIRS).
A/Professor Chong manages and treats medical retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and vein occlusions and is actively involved in the latest clinical trials in these areas.
A/Professor Chong is the head of department for Ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, committee member of the Victorian branch of RANZCO, in the executive committee of the Australian & New Zealand Cornea Society and on the editorial board of the Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology Journal.
A/Professor Chong completed 6 years of medical school at the University of Melbourne, 2 years of postgraduate clinical experience, followed by 3 years of Masters and PhD studies concurrently at the University of Melbourne, and 5 years of RANZCO Ophthalmology training, with subsequent 3.5 years of sub-specialty training before qualifying as a consultant ophthalmologist.
Awards
Areas of interests
Professional Memberships
Education, Training & Appointments
Research
A/Professor Chong continues to have a strong interest in research as the senior research fellow at the Centre of Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia's largest ophthalmic research unit. See write up. See video.
A/Professor Chong consults privately in Glen Iris (Main Rooms), Kew, Doncaster & Springvale.
She no longer consults in Berwick.
IRIS Ophthalmic Surgery
880 Toorak Road
Glen Iris, Vic 3146
Corner of Toorak & Burke Road.
Entrance on Burke Road.
P: (03) 9822 3881
F: (03) 9822 3488
She is a highly experienced cataract surgeon with a focus on precise refractive results. She has performed well over 5000 cataract surgeries, including femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgeries.
A/Professor Chong is also a corneal surgeon who performs laser surgery, cornea cross linking for keratoconus & the latest lamellar partial thickness corneal transplants for various corneal diseases which are preferential to the traditional full thickness corneal transplants. This includes advanced DMEK surgery for Fuch's endothelial dystrophy and other conditions and Corneal Allogenic Intra-stromal Ring Segments (CAIRS).
A/Professor Chong manages and treats medical retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and vein occlusions and is actively involved in the latest clinical trials in these areas.
A/Professor Chong is the head of department for Ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, committee member of the Victorian branch of RANZCO, in the executive committee of the Australian & New Zealand Cornea Society and on the editorial board of the Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology Journal.
A/Professor Chong completed 6 years of medical school at the University of Melbourne, 2 years of postgraduate clinical experience, followed by 3 years of Masters and PhD studies concurrently at the University of Melbourne, and 5 years of RANZCO Ophthalmology training, with subsequent 3.5 years of sub-specialty training before qualifying as a consultant ophthalmologist.
Awards
- Gold Medal for Excellence (K. G. Howsam Medal) at the RANZCO Advanced Clinical Exams in 2011.
- This single medal is awarded to the most outstanding candidate in the final exit examination across Australia & New Zealand for the year. This is not awarded every year.
- Retinal research work from her PhD was selected out of over 6000 submitted papers as one of the 40 newest and most innovative research conducted at Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) conference (the main international ophthalmic research conference) in USA.
- Young Investigator’s Merit Award (Clinical Sciences) at the ASIA-ARVO Scientific Meeting.
- Her work on Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) was awarded the Best Surgical Video at the RANZCO conference in 2016.
- Her novel pterygium surgery technique was awarded 3rd place in the international American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) YO video competition in 2017.
- One of the winners of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) global video contest for her work on Descemets' Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK) donor insertion technique in 2018. See video: DMEK Donor Insertion Technique Using the DMEK EndoGlide.
Areas of interests
- Cataract Surgery - Small incision sutureless surgery with premium multifocal intra-ocular lenses and toric intraocular lenses to correct astigmatism.
- Laser Vision Correction - LASIK, Advanced Surface Ablation (ASA / PRK), Intraocular collamer lens insertion (ICL).
- Cornea Diseases & Cornea Transplantation Surgery- Management of complex cornea diseases including keratoconus & Fuch's cornea dystrophy. Cornea Crosslinking (CXL) & Cornea Grafts.
- Medical Retina - Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD), Diabetic retinopathy (DR) & Retinal Vein Occlusion Management (RVO). Intra-vitreal injections & Laser treatment for the above conditions.
- Pterygium Surgery (sutureless) with conjunctival autograft.
- Glaucoma management.
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO)
- International Society of Refractive Surgery (ISRS)
- World Cornea Society
- Asian Cornea Society
- Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists (ANZSRS)
- Australian Society of Ophthalmologist
- Fellow of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO)
- Fellow of the Academy of Medicine (Ophthalmology), Singapore
Education, Training & Appointments
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), University of Melbourne, 2002.
- University of Melbourne Undergraduate Scholarship recipient for entire 6 years of study.
- Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD in Ophthalmology), University of Melbourne, 2008.
- NHMRC scholarship for PhD studies.
- Masters of Epidemiology, University of Melbourne, 2009.
- Distinctions in all subjects.
- Fellow of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO)
- Following 5 years of RANZCO Accredited Ophthalmology Training, Victoria, Australia.
- Top of class in fellowship exit exams, 2011.
- Fellow of the Academy of Medicine (Ophthalmology), Singapore, 2014.
- 3.5 additional years of sub-speciality training
- Medical Retinal Fellowship, Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital (RVEEH), Victoria.
- Corneal & Refractive Fellowship, Singapore National Eye Centre, Singapore.
- RANZCO postgraduate industry scholarship for further studies.
- Clinical Associate Professor, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne.
- Researcher, Centre of Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne.
- Clinical Trials and Research Unit.
- Principal investigator in Descemetorhexis without endothelial keratoplasty (DWEK) trial.
- Executive committee of the Australian & New Zealand Cornea Society
- Editorial board of the Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology Journal
- Chair of the Victorian Ophthalmology RANZCO Registrar Selection committee
- Scientific program co-chair for the RANZCO Victorian Branch Annual Scientific Meeting (2019-2024)
- Deputy chair of RANZCO Women In Ophthalmology
- Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH).
- Consultant Ophthalmologist in both
- Corneal & Medical Retinal Units at the RVEEH
- Involved in registrar/fellow training.
Research
A/Professor Chong continues to have a strong interest in research as the senior research fellow at the Centre of Eye Research Australia, University of Melbourne, Australia's largest ophthalmic research unit. See write up. See video.
- She has over 59 peer-reviewed publications,
- and has written book chapter in the main corneal textbook 'Cornea' for sub-specialist readership.
- She is on the editorial board of Ophthalmology Journal, Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology.
- She continues to present her work regularly at international conferences.
- She is a reviewer for multiple international journals & grants
- She is a PhD examiner, and supervises Medical Doctorate & Postgraduate students from University of Melbourne.
- Results from her PhD were conveyed to medical practitioners and the public through interviews, medical newsletters and newspapers internationally.
A/Professor Chong consults privately in Glen Iris (Main Rooms), Kew, Doncaster & Springvale.
She no longer consults in Berwick.
IRIS Ophthalmic Surgery
880 Toorak Road
Glen Iris, Vic 3146
Corner of Toorak & Burke Road.
Entrance on Burke Road.
P: (03) 9822 3881
F: (03) 9822 3488
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Selected Publications |
Selected Peer-reviewed Publications
Invited Book Chapters:
- Karri R. Chong E.W. ROCK inhibitors in ophthalmology: a critical review of the existing clinical evidence. Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology 2023.
- Article was selected as one of five important articles and featured in Editor's Choice section of the Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (CEO) website. Article also featured in the Academy Express - Asia Pacific Edition email bulletin. July 2023.
- Article was selected as one of five important articles and featured in Editor's Choice section of the Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (CEO) website. Article also featured in the Academy Express - Asia Pacific Edition email bulletin. July 2023.
- Chong E.W.*, Chan E*, Lee SS, Franchina M, Yazar S, Eastwood P, McArdle N, Mackey DA, Lingham G. Incidence and prevalence of keratoconus based on Scheimpflug imaging. *Equal 1st authors. Ophthalmology. 2022
- Hong Z, Chong E.W., Chan HHL. One step forward to sustainability: The carbon footprint of cataract surgery in Australia. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2022 Dec
- Chong E.W., Mehta J.S. High myope and cataract surgery. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. Jan 2016. Curr Opin Ophthalmology. Impact factor 2.500.
- Chong E.W.*, Finger RP*, McGuiness MB, Robman LD, Aung KZ, Giles G, Baird PN, Guymer RH. Reticular Pseudodrusen and their association with age-related macular degeneration: The Melbourne Collaborative Cohort Study. *Equal 1st authors. Ophthalmology, Dec 2015. Impact factor 6.170.
- Chong E.W., Guymer RH, Robman LD. Does aspirin increase the risk of age-related macular degeneration?Expert opinion on drug safety. 2014 April. Impact factor 2.621
- Chong E.W., Simpson J., Robman L., Hodge A., Aung K., English D., Giles G., Guymer R. Red meat and chicken consumption and its association with Age-related Macular Degeneration. American Journal of Epidemiology, 2009;169(7):867-876. Impact factor 6.020
- Article highlighted in Medscape Medical News, American Medical Association (AMA).
- One of top 5 most read articles by Ophthalmologists, Medscape, April 2009.
- Study findings were summarized as practice pearls for AMA continued medical education (CME) points. – Featured CME article.
- Television interviews: Channel 9, Brisbane, Channel 10, Adelaide; Radio interviews: ABC Australia, 4BC Brisbane, 2SM, Sydney, March 2009.
- Interviewed by AARP Bulletin AARP Bulletin and Bulletin Today, USA; Men's Health, Women's Health, Runner's World, USA; CNIB Insight, Canada; British women's magazine SHE; Australian Optometry Newsletter.
- Study findings were published in various newspapers and newsletters including ABC Australia; The Age, Australia; Skynews; Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia; The BBC, UK; The Telegraph, UK; March/April 2009.
- Article highlighted in Tufts Health & Nutrition Letter, Tufts University, USA; EyeNet magazine (American Academy of Ophthalmology), USA; Australian Medicine, Australian Medical Association.
- Chong E.W., Wong T.Y., Kreis A.J., Simpson J.A., Guymer R.H. Dietary Antioxidants and Primary Prevention of Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. British Medical Journal, 2007 October 13; 355 (7623): 755. Impact factor 17.215
- Cover page feature article of the British Medical Journal (BMJ)
- Editorial written on article: Evans J. Primary prevention of age related macular degeneration. British Medical Journal, 2007 October 13; 355: 729.
- Article was also selected for BMJ press release.
- Interviewed by the ABC: Interview broadcasted 29 October 2007, The Health Report by Norman Swan, ABC radio, Australia. Also in print.
- Interviewed by Insight Magazine, Australia: Antioxidants and AMD by Neil Forbes.
- Interviewed by Australian Doctor, newsletter for Australian general practitioners.
- Article highlighted in Medpage Today, University of Pennsylvania, USA (with CME credit for physicians); Medical News Today, UK.
Invited Book Chapters:
- Donald Tan, Elaine Chong. Chapter 141: Management of Pterygium. In: Mannis & Holland, ed. Cornea 4th edition. Elsevier 2016. View Book