Professor Colin Chan MBSS(Hons) MPhil FRANZCO
Professor Colin Chan:
What motivates me
The core of my work
I have been a doctor for 28 years.
As an ophthalmologist, I am both eye surgeon and eye physician.
As a surgeon, some eye conditions like cataract and refractive error can be fixed with eye procedures.
I have been privileged to perform over 10000 eye procedures. The morning after an operating day is the highlight of my week- there is nothing quite like sharing someone's joy at being able to see again!
Some eye conditions cannot be treated with an operation or there may be reasons to avoid an operation for as long a possible because of the risks involved. Knowledgeable advice, eye drops, oral medications and above all, maintaining the hope for a better treatment in the future is my role as a physician. Sometimes just listening is enough.
Teaching:
My patients sometimes ask me what does it mean to be an adjunct or associate professor? Basically, it means I do non paid teaching and research work for the university and they acknowledge this by giving me an honorary title or an affiliation. Universities rely heavily on affiliates. Course fees would be definitely higher without them! Currently I am an affiliate professor at 3 universities: University of Sydney, University of Canberra and the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Why you might ask? Well, teaching offers the opportunity to share knowledge to other doctors and then this has a broader impact on improving patient care. As a solitary doctor, I can only see so many patients but if I can improve the knowledge and skill set of other doctors, then more patients will benefit.
Charity and Global Eye Health
I feel immensely lucky to live in Australia. While there are constant news stories about the state of our health care system, compared to most of our Asia-Pacific neighbours, we are very very fortunate. Doesn't mean we shouldn't keep improving though!
The Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) is one of the largest international not for profit organizations of eye surgeons. It is dedicated to the improvement of standards of eye care in the Asia Pacific through education and research. My main role in APAO is to organize conferences in developing Asian nations. So far, I have managed to run conferences in Vietnam, Mongolia, Iran and Cambodia.
I am also on the Board of SEE Together, an Australian based charity which works in Mongolia. In Mongolia, many people can't even get a simple pair of glasses without a struggle.
Research
In 2025 I was awarded my Masters in Philosophy at the University of Sydney. My thesis which was supported by a research scholarship looked at Medical School student admissions testing i.e working out how to pick the best candidates to become doctors.
My current research interests are looking at climate and eye health and function and also the role of the microbiome in dry eye disease. And I am also a PhD external examiner for the University of Auckland.
All of this, certainly keeps me busy. So if I am not at the clinic, I am not off playing golf!
Professor Chan interviewed on ABC about increasing myopia epidemic in children
My own laser eye surgery journey
I had laser eye surgery now 20 years ago. I had finished my eye surgery specialist training and I was about to move to Los Angeles, USA for a year to do a fellowship in laser eye surgery - it was a busy and wonderful time. I had been completely content to wear glasses and then contact lenses since the age of 11 for shortsightedness or myopia.
The birth of my first son changed that. Those of you that are parents can probably identify with the concerns I had. Will I be a good enough dad? What if I do something wrong? And then what if my glasses or contact lenses fall off and I can't see where he goes?? For example, like on the beach or when he is learning to swim? I suddenly began to feel dependent on them and I didn't like that feeling.
So I began to think about having laser eye surgery. And my steps took to me the very practice I work in today- Vision Eye Institute, Chatswood, Sydney. One of the advantages of being a doctor is that you know other doctors and their reputation and I had no hesitation in speaking to Prof. Gerard Sutton and A/Prof. Michael Lawless (now my colleagues) about laser eye surgery. The key to laser eye surgery is suitability and the best surgeons have a reputation for saying "no" to people unless you are a good candidate. Even though I was a doctor, the risks were explained in detail to me and again it is important to understand there is no such thing as risk free surgery.
I also wanted the surgery performed in Australia. Australia really does have one of the best healthcare systems in the world and that is largely due to the professional and ethical standards the doctors expect from themselves. Sometimes I think we forget of how lucky we are in Australia.
The day itself went by in the blur as did the surgery- no eye pun intended :) Most patients will comment to me that the surgery is much quicker than they expected and that was certainly my experience.
That was 20 years ago and not a day goes past that I don't think about how much it has changed my life. I still sometimes have the urge to push up my non-existent glasses up my nose. I have two sons now and I think about the freedoms I have enjoyed playing with them but also knowing I can keep track of them.
Of course I am older now and I am experiencing the decrease in near vision (presbyopia) that comes with being a middle aged man. Some of my patients ask me why I don't have more laser eye surgery and put up with reading glasses. It's because I still have excellent distance vision and when people have excellent distance vision, it can be difficult to give them good near vision as well without there being too much compromises. Currently there is still no solution which will give prefect distance and near vision to people above the age of 45.
I hope it helps to know that I too was a potential laser eye surgery patient like you, hoping for the best and a bit anxious about the risks and unknowns. In the end, it's important you make as informed a choice as possible which is right for you. I always encourage second opinions if you want more reassurance and information. My main job as your doctor is to inform you and help guide your decisions.
Photography
I am a keen amateur photographer. My mum and grandfather were good painters so I guess there is a little bit of art in the genes. Plus I think having an Ophthalmology brain also lends itself naturally to photography. Photography especially wildlife and bird photography , involves planning, precision and most importantly, patience. Good reaction skills also help. Nature also quietens and humbles the soul and gives you enhanced appreciation for life and it's diversity.
All the photos on this webpage are photos I have taken and if you want to see more, my bird photography website is: www.aneyefordetails.com. My instagram feed is: aneyefordetails
I often get asked "How do you find the time to fit in your hobbies with such a hectic work schedule that involves treating patients and research and teaching commitments—all while looking after your family as well?" I think if there is something you are passionate about, you find a way to fit it in your day. And you find flexible solutions. Most of my photography for example, is done on the way home when I might pull the car over for 15 minutes. I think it’s important to have these moments of where you take time out - sometimes you have to look after yourself a bit so you can keep looking after others.
Kung Fu
I started learning Kung Fu 14 years ago as I wanted my sons to learn from a young age something that taught them about mental and physical discipline as well as Chinese philosophy and heritage.
Shaolin Kung Fu is one of the icons of Chinese culture and heritage. Australia is my home but I feel very strongly that retaining elements of your heritage enriches yourself and society. Ultimately Shaolin Kung Fu is a form of "physical meditation"- the aim is to improve your mental strength and inner spirit/energy by physical activity.
Contact us
Professor Colin Chan consults at Vision Eye Institute Chatswood NSW
Tel: 02 94249999