Ophthalmologist Dr Andrew White (M.Sc. Hons, MBBS/PhD) is among the world’s top glaucoma specialists and assists the NSW Government on health policy. He is currently undertaking research that will revolutionise glaucoma treatment and has just been promoted to clinical associate professor at the University of Sydney.

While many ophthalmologists primarily work in cataracts, the Epping-based doctor has dedicated his career to glaucoma – from diagnosis to treatment. Clin A/Prof White is an internationally recognised researcher, having had his work cited more than 1,100 times.

Managing the huge burden of chronic eye disease such as glaucoma and diabetic eye disease in the community is a priority for Clin A/Prof White. One of his largest projects to date has been launching a community eye clinic called the Western Sydney Community Eye Centre in a retail space in Blacktown, where it will screen and assess patients with diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma, offer ongoing management of stable patients, and refer severe and progressive cases to the Westmead Eye Clinic at the Westmead Hospital. Currently, the hospital’s Eye Clinic receives hundreds of referrals every month and it is difficult to prioritise patients based on their risk of irreversible blindness. Clin A/Prof White believes that vetting patients at the community clinic will help ensure Westmead Hospital is receiving referrals for patients requiring treatment rather than just monitoring.

In addition to this, Clin A/Prof White has recently conducted research on the genes that could cause glaucoma. By understanding how these genes cause glaucoma, he is working towards personalised tailor-made treatments influencing how these genes work. This revolutionary approach may radically change the way glaucoma is treated and may lead to the development of effective, patient specific new treatments. Clin A/Prof White considers this research to be one of his greatest career achievements.

Clin A/Prof White has also helped characterise one of the key visual pathways from the retina to the brain. This ground-breaking basic research informs how medical professionals can design and use visual field testing to more effectively assess eye diseases – like glaucoma.

Clin A/Prof White has given a positive outlook for the future of glaucoma, believing that the rates of blindness from glaucoma will halve over the next 20 years.

Driven by his passion to make a difference when it comes to irreversible blindness, Clin A/Prof White left Australia in 2010 to work at the University of Cambridge (UK). He had previously worked at prestigious academic institutions including SUNy New York (2001-2002) and the Max Plank Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (1999). He returned in September 2012 equipped with knowledge and techniques from the best eye professionals and medical innovators in the world.

On home soil, Clin A/Prof White is highly regarded among residents in the greater Western Sydney area.

In addition to his work at the University of Sydney under his new academic title, Clin A/Prof White is glaucoma specialist at Westmead Hospital, doctor at PersonalEYES, NSW and ACT’s largest and most advanced network of eye clinics, and works with the NSW State Government on health policy.

For more information contact us:

personalEYES Vision Specialist
Rivermark Level 6
34 Charles St Parramatta, 2150 NSW
Phone: (02) 8833 7111
Fax: (02) 8833 7112
www.personaleyes.com.au
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