There are three specialist ophthalmologists at The Private Eye Clinic.
Dr Kowal's [pronounced Koval] practice is restricted to strabismus and pediatric ophthalmology.
Dr. Kowal is probably the busiest strabismus surgeon in Australia. If the Health Insurance Commision statistics are accurate ( and they should show all procedures that are billed through Medicare), then over the period July 1st 2019- June 30th 2020, Dr Kowal personally performed 12% of all private strabismus surgeries in Australia and over 40% of all private strabismus surgeries in Victoria.
These numbers are as accurate as possible and use a combination of our own data (we can vouch is accurate) and data provided on the Medicare statistics website (we assume is accurate). The stats only refer to 'private' patients where a Medicare rebate was claimed. They do not include public, TAC or Workcover patients
Audit 2008 - 2012
Dr Kowal performed an audit of all of his surgical cases over the last 5 years.
This has included straightforward cases [high expectations of success] through to the most complex cases [these patients may have had several previous surgeries elsewhere - lower expectations of success].
Some results are:
1. 9% of patients had a 2nd surgery over an average of 30 months followup
That does not mean that 91% had a perfect outcome, but does probably mean that a very high % of patients were satisfied with the outcome.
2. 2 % of patients required a 3rd surgery within 30 months of the first surgery.
Since 1992 Dr. Kowal has been Director of the Ocular Motility Clinic at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. A Fellow is a qualified ophthalmologist who spends a 12 month ‘apprenticeship’ studying, practicing and conducting research in strabismus with the expectation of being recognised as an expert in Strabismus. There is international competition for this position. Dr Kowal is the main supervisor of this training.
Fellows since 1990 to the Ocular Motility Clinic, RVEEH
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Dr Wutthiphan, Thailand Dr K Davey, England Dr R Battu, India Dr S Sutherland, Scotland Dr Prashant Sahare, India/ UK Dr C Yahalom, Israel Dr R Friling, Israel Dr L Mitchell, New Zealand Dr O Halachmi, Israel Dr Shiva Seth, India |
Dr R Kini, India Dr N Fumitaka, Japan/ Australia Dr D El Sayed, Egypt Dr A Mahindrakar, India Dr L Bender, UK/USA Dr E Wong, Australia Dr E Landa, Israel Dr R Talebnajad, Iran Dr K Creese, Australia Dr S Nadkarni, India Dr Anat Bachar, Israel |
He is a Senior Fellow of the University of Melbourne Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Kowal holds current memberships in the following associations:
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Introduction of Dr Kowal when he gave recent Keynote Speech @ World Society Conference 2015
View Dr Kowal's C.V here.
Dr Kowal participates in the Continuing Professional Development program of
the Royal Australian NZ College of Ophthalmologists.Certificate can be viewed here .
Dr Kowal's Medical Board of Australia registration certificate can be viewed here.
Good Clinical Practice’ training course ; required for Research Activities on patients
Certificate can be viewed HERE
Reviewer for JAAPOS journal.
Reviewer for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology.
Dr. Steiner is a general ophthalmologist. He is a Visiting Consultant at the RVEEH. He is a Lecturer and Examiner for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists. Dr. Steiner is fluent in Polish.
Dr. Bathija is a specialist at the Glaucoma Unit at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. She completed her Glaucoma Fellowship at The University of California. A certified OHTS (Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study) investigator, she was involved in the development and early application of optic nerve imaging using the scanning laser tomograph (HRT) and the GDx nerve fiber layer analyzer. The 'Bathija Factor' in HRT reports is named after her.
The Chief orthoptist is Mr Roberto Pieri . Mr Pieri is fluent in Italian.
Gemma Wylaz
Orthoptists complete a 3.5 year course at Latrobe University in ophthalmic procedures and diagnosis. Most patients are assessed initially by the orthoptist.
Ms Tammy Brilliant
Mrs Jo Bonzos
