The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

10/09/2025

Today is R U OK? Day, a powerful reminder that a simple chat over coffee with a friend, colleague, neighbour or loved one can make a real difference.

To mark R U OK? Day, Café 1863 is generously treating our staff today with a free drink to help get a conversation started.

On the ground floor of the hospital, Café 1863 Site Manager Simranjeet is all smiles as she serves up warmth and kindness - one cup at a time - to staff from across the hospital. Thank you, Café 1863, for helping us check in and connect.

The RU OK website has some great resources, this short video is certainly worth watching: https://bit.ly/46sCIeB

Pictured here from left to right is: Aijun (Registered Nurse, Emergency Department), Jacob (Catering Supervisor), Simranjeet (Café 1863 Site Manager), Nora (Cleaning Supervisor) and Marisa (Pharmacy Technician).

08/09/2025

Congratulations to this year’s Victorian Honour Roll of Women inductees. Dr Nancy Lewis, former Medical Superintendent of the Eye and Ear (1940–41) and one of only three female ophthalmologists in Australia at the time, is among them. She was also the late mother of the Eye and Ear's Associate Professor Anne Brooks. Read more about Dr Lewis’ professional contributions below.

Dr Nancy Lewis was an ophthalmologist when women rarely practised medicine, let alone ophthalmology.Her goal was to advance the cause of women in medicine, in particular in ophthalmology, and to care for the children of Victoria.She also aimed to show that women could be leaders and role models, and...

05/09/2025

Meet Carryl: one of our incredible bequestors

As Include a Charity Week comes to a close, we’re shining a light on Carryl, who has kindly included a gift in her Will to the Eye and Ear — after her eyesight was saved at our hospital as a child.

Here’s her story:

“My vision was perfect until I was about eight years old, when I developed terribly watery, itchy eyes that would seal shut with pus. I was in constant pain and couldn’t sleep.

My parents didn’t realise my eyes were reacting to allergies — including our family cat. By the time I reached the Eye and Ear, I had an ulcer on my right eye and was at risk of losing sight in that eye.

Thanks to the treatment I received, the ulcer healed. My right eye is still damaged, but it’s a lot better than total vision loss.

Years later, while studying law at university, my allergies flared up again. It got so bad I couldn’t study or attend classes. The Eye and Ear helped again, prescribing eye drops that changed my life. I finished my degree, built a career, and was able to live a full life.

Now in my mid-50s, I’ve enjoyed a happy, healthy life — thanks to the Eye and Ear. I’ve included a gift in my Will because I want to give back. I wouldn’t have achieved what I have without their care.

Even a small gift in your Will can make a big difference. It’s easy to do and helps others like me get the care they need.”

We’re so grateful to Carryl — and to the many others who have left a Gift in their Will to support the Eye and Ear.

If you are interested in including a gift in your Will, or would like more information, please contact our Philanthropy and Fundraising team:
fundraising@eyeandear.org.au
1800 808 137

01/09/2025

It’s Include a Charity Week!

Did you know that 66% of the Eye and Ear’s fundraising income in the last five years has come from gifts in Wills?

These incredible legacies often come from former patients or their loved ones—people who know firsthand how life-changing world-class eye and ear care can be.

By including a gift to The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital in your Will, you’re helping future patients for generations to come. 💙 Your bequest can help:

Purchase vital medical equipment
Support pioneering research into restoring sight and hearing
Enhance patient care and treatment
If you’ve already included the Eye and Ear in your Will—thank you.
If you’d like to learn how to leave a legacy of hope, our friendly Philanthropy team is here to help.

👉 Include a gift to the Eye and Ear in your Will – https://bit.ly/3Z7iIc5

Making a bequest to the hospital enables the Eye and Ear Hospital to continue to build on the pioneering work of our founders and their modern day counterparts.

28/08/2025

Today is 💜 a day dedicated to supporting and empowering LGBTIQA+ young people to reach their full potential without fear or limitations.

This year’s theme, “Bold Voices, Bright Futures”, has inspired Parkville Precinct partners to join together to amplify the voices and experiences of LGBTIQA+ team members from services across the precinct 🏥🔬

Their reflections on the question “What is one thing you would tell your younger self?” empower LGBTIQA+ young people to know that they are valued, their identity matters, and their future can be full of potential.

This collaboration and these shared voices serve as a reminder that bold voices today help create brighter futures tomorrow 🏳️‍🌈

We are better when we celebrate diversity together ✊🏼

Thank you to our Precinct Partners:
The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health
Murdoch Children's Research Institute - MCRI
Oral Health Victoria
The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity
Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
The Royal Melbourne Hospital
The Royal Women's Hospital
The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne
WEHI - Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research

21/08/2025

A wonderful event celebrating an innovative trailblazer in biomedical engineering!

20/08/2025

Happy 40th anniversary to the Eye and Ear’s Cochlear Implant Clinic and Happy 90th Birthday to the inventor of the multi-channel cochlear implant, Laureate Emeritus Professor Graeme Clark AC!

In a special celebration at the hospital, Professor Clark gave an inspiring presentation on his life and the legacy of the cochlear implant.

Surrounded by friends, family, patients, Cochlear Implant Clinic staff past and present and our esteemed research partners at Cochlear Australia and New Zealand and the The University of Melbourne who made this device possible, the event was filled with inspiring stories, special connections and hopes for the future.

Read more about this special event here: http://bit.ly/45oBvEG

13/08/2025

Do you know what your rights are?

At the Eye and Ear, we strive to provide the best possible care for our community.

Access to safe, respectful and appropriate care is a core right of all Australians, as established by the Australian Charter of Healthcare Rights.

Learn more about the charter and your rights and responsibilities here:

At the Eye and Ear we aim to create a safe environment where our staff treat you with skill, care and dignity.

08/08/2025

Happy World Ophthalmologists Day! 👁️✨

Today, we want to celebrate and thank our incredible team of ophthalmologists for their tireless dedication to diagnosing and treating eye conditions for patients across Victoria and beyond.

As a primary training hospital for aspiring ophthalmologists in Victoria, these ophthalmologists also play a crucial role in training the next generation.

Thank you to all ophthalmologists for your expert care!

05/08/2025

Did you know that your everyday grocery shopping can help support the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital?

Thanks to the Ritchies Community Benefit Program, every time you shop at a Ritchies IGA supermarket or liquor store in Victoria, New South Wales, or Queensland, you can raise funds for the Eye and Ear—at no extra cost to you!

Here’s how:

✅ Download the Ritchies Card App from the Apple Store or Google Play
✅ Or grab a physical card in-store
✅ Nominate "Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital" as your chosen charity
✅ Shop and scan your card—we’ll receive 0.5% of your spend!

Your support helps us continue providing world-class care in eye and ear health. Thank you for making a difference with every shop.

31/07/2025

Do you know what informed consent is? Or what questions to ask at an appointment at the hospital? Informed consent means understanding your treatment options and knowing you can ask questions to make a decision that is right for you.

Learn more in our video below and the types of questions you should ask here: https://bit.ly/3u8MOwY

18/07/2025

Do you know that steroids can affect your glucose levels?

Our fact sheet on ‘Oral corticosteroid and your blood sugar levels’ is one of our most visited pages on our website.

Learn why on our fact sheet here: https://bit.ly/4ls5GjM