McCluskey P1,2, Lam D, Moore M, Cunich M, Lake S, Ho I, Mahendrarajah T

1Royal Darwin Hospital, 2Save Sight Institute

Biography:

Peter McCluskey is Professor & Chair of Ophthalmology at The University of Sydney and Director of the Save Sight Institute at Sydney Eye Hospital. He is an internationally recognised inflammatory eye disease specialist, with a large uveitis clinic at Sydney Eye Hospital. He has run outreach uveitis clinics in Darwin & Hobart for many years. For 4 years, he ran the on-island eye service on Norfolk Island.

On Australia Day 2020, he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished service to Ophthalmology and the community.

Peter McCluskey is currently the RANZCO President.

Abstract:

Objective. This study aimed to compare the costs and clinical outcomes of treating patients with retinal diseases requiring surgery managed locally in Darwin through a visiting subspecialist ophthalmology service or transferred to interstate tertiary eye centres.

Methods. A retrospective analysis of a case series of 70 consecutive patients presenting to the Royal Darwin Hospital for vitreo-retinal surgery during the calendar years 2018 and 2019 was performed.

Results. Twenty-two of the 29 patients in the transfer group had a retinal detachment and five vitreous haemorrhage. The 41 patients managed in Darwin had a range of diagnoses. Surgical success, complications and costs were similar.

Conclusion. There were excellent clinical outcomes and a minimal insignificant difference in costs.