General FAQs

Ophthalmologists like Dr. Rylan Hayes are medical doctors who specialise in eye and vision care. They have the training and qualifications to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide range of eye-related conditions in addition to and beyond routine vision care. In Australia, ophthalmologists – including Dr. Hayes – are accredited as Fellows of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO).

Optometrists are not medical doctors, but they are a crucial provider of eye care. They practice optometry, which involves performing primary vision care – such as eye exams, vision tests, prescribing corrective lenses, and detecting some eye abnormalities. In the community, they are the front line of eye-health and are crucial in identifying conditions needing referral to an ophthalmologist such as Dr. Rylan Hayes. Optometrists also work alongside Dr. Hayes in his clinics, creating a cohesive team to optimise your treatments and conditions.

Dr. Hayes has the advanced medical and surgical training to perform delicate eye microsurgery. Due to his extensive education, hands-on experience, and state-of-the-art technologies, Dr. Hayes can optimally treat a huge range of eye diseases. Furthermore, the eye’s intricate connection to his medical training often helps Dr. Hayes spot other health problems that can manifest as eye symptoms and refer patients to other medical professionals for further testing and treatment as needed.

Your eyes can provide clues to the health of internal organs and systems throughout the body. For instance, the presence of tiny blood vessels on the retina can be symptomatic of diabetes causing retinopathy or maculopathy. High cholesterol may manifest as yellow deposits around the eye, and autoimmune diseases – such as sarcoidosis and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) –  are often associated with painful inflammation of the iris and optic nerve. Even certain types of cataracts – such as Christmas Tree cataract or posterior subcapsular cataract – may point towards specific issues like myotonic dystrophy or steroid use respectively. Routine ophthalmology care supports clear vision, a full life, and your overall health.

Dr. Hayes takes a special interest in and has acquired additional training in:

• The diagnosis and treatment of straightforward and complex cataracts with surgery
• Premium intraocular lens implantation, including monofocal, EDOF, multifocal, and toric IOLs.
• Pterygium removal with advanced, no-stitch techniques
• Vision correction with lasers or specialised lens implantation
• Managing keratoconus, Fuchs’ dystrophy, corneal dystrophies, corneal scarring, and other conditions of the cornea
• Glaucoma with drops, laser or surgery including Minimally-invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) – he is the only eye surgeon in the Sunshine Coast certified in the use of the revolutionary MINIject implantable device

Your general eye health screening should be performed regularly by your local optometrist. It is crucial to have regular optometry reviews throughout life – even if you have no concerns with your vision. Here, any issues can be identified and where necessary referred to Dr. Hayes for treatment. Often with eye conditions, getting issues addressed in a timely manner is crucial to optimise outcomes and prevent vision loss.

As a specialist ophthalmic surgeon, appointments with Dr. Hayes are usually targeted for specific concerns picked up by your optometrist – such as cataracts, pterygia, or macular injections. These exams can uncover early, serious diseases that could threaten your vision without prompt treatment. The frequency of exams is personalised to your needs and depends on factors such as your age, overall health, family history, previous eye trauma/disease, and risk factors.

There are changes and signs that you should never ignore. Of course, symptoms vary based on the underlying cause that may be responsible for these concerning changes. You should contact your optometrist right away if you notice problems like:

• Difficulty reading small print
• Issues with recognising faces
• Difficulty driving at night or seeing in low light
• Increased sensitivity to light and tearing
• Persistent dryness, redness, itching, and irritation
• Tunnel vision, or the loss of peripheral vision

If they identify any concerns needing the input of Dr. Rylan Hayes – The Vision Surgeon, you can request your optometrist refer you directly to his clinic. Alternatively, you may contact our office yourself on 07 4515 6084 to make an appointment (even if your optometrist has not specifically addressed the referral to Dr. Hayes).