The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital

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

15/07/2025

“I recall the friendly nature and professionalism of the volunteers, their person centred approach was amazing.”

Teresa first came to the Eye and Ear in the late 1990’s, supporting her mother through her glaucoma diagnosis. Her experience with our hospital volunteers left a lasting impression, leading her to start her volunteering journey in 2023. Coming full circle, Teresa now supports patients, family members and carers through their own time at the hospital.

Read more about Teresa’s story here in our Quality pages here: https://bit.ly/40quQpn

15/07/2025

Diabetic Retinopathy affects 1 in 3 people with diabetes and can cause blindness if untreated. During , the Eye and Ear urges all Australians, especially those with diabetes, to get regular eye checks.

11/07/2025

Yesterday the Eye and Ear, supported by Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS), proudly unveiled our completed Possum Skin Cloak project during a special celebration.

Guided by Aunty Gina Bundle OAM, a respected leader in Aboriginal health, who also performed the Acknowledgement of Country, the project brought together staff, partners, and community to honour Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture and further strengthen our commitment to reconciliation and Closing the Health Care Gap.

The cloak will be installed in the coming weeks next to our Aboriginal Art Installation on the ground floor of the hospital creating a cultural gallery. Learn more about the event and the cloak here: https://bit.ly/4lKY4IX

06/07/2025

This week, we are celebrating 50 years of NAIDOC where we come together as a nation to acknowledge Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

The theme this year is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” celebrating not only the achievements of the past but looking towards the future , empowered by the strength of young Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander leaders, the vision of community, and the legacy of their ancestors.

At the Eye and Ear, we are committed to closing the healthcare gap for vision and hearing through shared understanding and creating stronger awareness of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people’s histories, cultures and practices.

Learn more about how our Mirring Ba Wirring team support Aboriginal patients here: https://bit.ly/3DgTFKR
Learn more about our commitment in our Reconciliation Action plan here: https://bit.ly/43e7Uwz
Participate in a NAIDOC Week activity in your local community here: https://bit.ly/3NupdhC

30/06/2025

The Cochlear Implants Clinic sees about 50-60 children every year who need cochlear implants to improve their hearing.

We’ve shared Ariel’s story in previous posts. Did you know she faced incredible odds? She was born profoundly deaf with a very weak cochlear nerve. Only six to seven percent of children who are born with congenital hearing loss have the same nerve issue that Ariel had.

Your donation today can help us treat patients with the rarest conditions. Make a life-changing tax-deductible donation today: https://bit.ly/4iLyVMu

30/06/2025

Today marks Dr Sherene Devanesen AM’s final day as Chair of the Board of Directors at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital.

Over the past decade, Sherene’s leadership has guided the hospital through major milestones, including our state-of-the-art redevelopment, COVID-19 challenges, and strengthened commitments to reconciliation and world-class care.

Her vision and dedication leave a lasting legacy for staff, patients, and carers. We thank Sherene for her outstanding service and wish her the best in the future. Read more about her impact here: https://bit.ly/3TIFNQu

26/06/2025

Today we shine a light on . One in four cancers are rare, including Ocular Melanoma. Here at the Eye and Ear, we have an Ocular Oncology clinic with highly trained specialists who are dedicated to providing exceptional care.

Working together with Western and Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS) and consumers, we produced a patient education package on Plaque Brachytherapy (Radiotherapy), a common treatment for patients with Ocular Melanoma which is a rare form of cancer affecting the eye.

View the videos here: https://bit.ly/3YZcMn2

View the fact sheet here: https://bit.ly/3ACx1he

This package will inform patients, carers and family members about what can be expected when undergoing Plaque Brachytherapy treatment for Ocular Melanoma. I...

19/06/2025

** PHARMACY CLOSURE NEXT FRIDAY ONLY **

Please be advised that our Pharmacy, located on the Ground Floor next to the Gisborne Street Entrance, will be closed on Friday 27 June 2025 from 1pm. The Pharmacy will reopen, and normal services will resume, on Monday 30 June.

Patients must attend their community pharmacy to dispense and supply prescriptions and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.

06/06/2025

We want your feedback!

Have you been to the hospital recently and seen our Digital Display screens in waiting rooms?

We want to know if you have any suggestions about the screens, including content and design, number of slides and the timing of each slide.

Learn more about the screens and how to leave feedback here: https://bit.ly/40quQpn

04/06/2025

For Orthoptics Awareness Week, we’re raising awareness around the advancing scope of practice for orthoptists, and the opportunities for improving patient and clinical care.

In our recent Innovate 2023-24 research publication, we highlighted the role of an Advanced Practice Orthoptist which was trialled at the Eye and Ear.

Read it here: https://bit.ly/4dBfrZS

02/06/2025

Wrapping up what Reconciliation means to our Eye and Ear community for through possum skin artwork, we finish with a design from our Audiology, Speech Pathology and Cochlear Implant Clinic.

Their design includes various symbols such as the butterfly for the deaf community, clap sticks for audiological testing, and the Eye and Ear as the meeting place. The yarning circle represents communication, while symbols like the country, journey lines, walking track, and people signify outreach work and patient diversity. The artwork highlights cultural transmission and the clinic's goals, and the cochlear implant symbolises technological advancements in hearing health.

The Eye and Ear is excited to share more about our possum skin cloak project in the coming months.

Did you know the Eye and Ear is home to several artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? View our Aboriginal Art page here and learn their stories: https://bit.ly/3KjZycG