About Us
The Heidelberg Eye Clinic was initially established in the 1980s by Dr Robert Ramsay. Dr Narelle Spencer joined and took over the practice in 2007.The clinic provides comprehensive eye care for many ophthalmic conditions.
Our philosophy is simple. We are committed to helping you to achieve optimum eyesight by providing you with the finest quality of eye care using the latest technology.
We aim to provide you with caring, holistic and patient centered care. We believe strongly in patient education, your eyecare is a collaboration between patient and doctor. We take the time to explain your diagnosis and treatment options.
Meet Our Team
Dr Narelle Spencer
MB.BS.(Hons), F.R.A.N.Z.C.O.
Dr Spencer is a fellowship trained ophthalmologist. She is a comprehensive general ophthalmologist who has a special interest in;
- cataract surgery
- glaucoma diagnosis, treatment and surgery
- oculoplastic surgery
Dr Spencer completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Monash University in 1996, obtaining an Honours degree. She then worked at The Alfred Hospital and The Royal Melbourne Hospital in the surgical residency program for 3 years. She also spent a year teaching anatomy to the medical students at both Melbourne and Monash Universities.
In 1999 she then entered the ophthalmic training program at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, where she completed ophthalmic training. She spent 12 months working as a Senior Registrar at the Sydney Eye Hospital. She then travelled to the United Kingdom where she completed a 12 month subspecialty fellowship in glaucoma followed by a 12 month oculoplastics fellowship at the Bristol Eye Hospital.
Dr Spencer returned to Australia in 2005, she spent the next 18 months working as a consultant ophthalmologist at the Forster Eye Surgery and Gloucester Memorial Hospital in NSW. She returned to Melbourne in 2007 where she took over the ownership of The Heidelberg Eye Clinic from Dr Ramsay. Dr Spencer was a consultant ophthalmologist at The Austin and Repatriation Hospital for many years where she supervised and taught registrars.
Dr Spencer regularly attends national and international ophthalmic conferences to maintain her clinical knowledge and skills. She is a fellow of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons, Australian and New Zealand Society of Retinal Specialists and the Australian and New Zealand Glaucoma Interest Group. She has been involved in teaching medical students, ophthalmic registrars, optometrists, general practitioners and pharmacists. She has also lectured at conferences and been involved in educational activities for ophthalmologists. She is actively involved in the Continual Professional Development program of RANZCO.
Dr Timothy Cheong
Dr Timothy Cheong is an Australian-trained Ophthalmologist with expertise and international experience in vitreoretinal and cataract surgery.
Dr Cheong is a consultant surgeon in the Vitreoretinal Unit at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. His work there includes supervising and training ophthalmologists undertaking further subspecialty training in vitreoretinal surgery.
Dr Cheong graduated from medical school with honours at The University of Western Australia and then completed postgraduate studies at Harvard University in the United States. His ophthalmology training was at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in Melbourne, which was followed by double fellowship training in vitreoretinal surgery in the United Kingdom.
Dr Cheong is pleased to offer his patients:
- Retinal surgery: including vitrectomy for epiretinal membranes (ERM), macular holes (FTMH), vitreomacular traction (VMT) and retinal detachments
- Vitreous surgery: including for vitreous bleeds and floater removal
- Cataract surgery: including the use of premium lens implants including toric (astigmatism correcting), multifocal and extended depth of focus (EDOF) types
- Complex lens surgery: including scleral fixation and/or secondary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, as well as anterior segment reconstruction
- No-suture ptergyium surgery: including conjunctival autograft
- Injection treatments: such as for wet macular degeneration, diabetic macula edema or retinal vein occlusion
- Laser treatments: such as for diabetic retinopathy and retinal tears
Dr Cheong strives to provide the highest quality care, clear communication and a compassionate approach. He places safety as the paramount consideration, and is
meticulous with his surgery to give each patient the best possible outcome.
Surgery can be arranged for patients at:
- Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (both public and private)
- Victoria Parade Surgery Centre, East Melbourne
- Whitehorse Day Surgery, Box Hill
Accreditation & Awards, Memberships
