Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists

21/10/2025

Thank you In Noosa Magazine for the lovely feature.
We are so proud to be part of our wonderful community.
Together, let’s make eye care a priority!

The Sunshine Coast lifestyle is all about sun, surf and time outdoors. But while we’re careful with sunscreen and hats, many of us forget one crucial thing: our eyes. Ida Fink Gundtoft brings the vision of eye care to life with Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists. We all know (and love) the Sunshine C...

27/09/2025

Let's Make Eye Care a Priority! 👀 with Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists

With endless sunshine, sparkling beaches and outdoor sports, the Sunshine Coast lifestyle is the envy of many. But it comes with a hidden risk: serious damage to our eyes from prolonged UV exposure. One condition of growing concern is pterygium – a wedge-shaped growth that develops on the surface of the eye. While it may appear as a small, harmless lesion, it can become red, irritated, and in advanced cases, distort vision or even conceal cancerous cells.

“Symptoms vary from no discomfort at all to persistent redness, watering, or blurred vision,” explains Naomi Martin, Practice Manager at Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists. “Lubricating drops and sun protection can ease irritation, but only surgery can remove the growth and confirm if it’s cancerous.”

The message is simple: protecting your eyes should be part of your daily sun safety routine. Regular check- ups ensure early detection and, if needed, referral for treatment.

Read the full article in our September issue:
👉 yourlocallifestyle.com.au

14/09/2025

We’re excited to share that Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists has been featured in the Spring edition of ! 🌸🌼

Our story, A Clearer Vision, is all about encouraging our community to make eye care a priority - because your eyes deserve the very best care 👀💙

At SCO, we’re committed to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care - from bulk-billed cataract consultations to tailored treatment plans for every patient.

Grab your copy of In Noosa to read the full story and learn more about why your eye health matters.

👀 Let’s make eye care a priority

10/09/2025

Protecting eyes from spring allergies

Spring on the Sunshine Coast is a beautiful time of year, with warmer days, blooming flowers and longer afternoons. But for many locals, it also marks the return of an all-too-familiar nuisance: seasonal allergies. While sneezing and nasal congestion are well-known symptoms, the eyes are often the first place spring allergies make themselves known.

Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists (SCO) director Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker said one of the earliest and most obvious signs of spring allergies is itchy eyes – a persistent, often irresistible urge to rub at irritated eyes. This is typically followed by redness, watering, and a gritty or irritated feeling particularly when outdoors or near flowering plants.

On the Sunshine Coast, native species such as wattle, along with ornamental garden flowers, are frequent culprits. Many morning walkers reach for tissues more often than sunglasses, as eyes react to airborne allergens like pollen.

Practical tips to reduce the impact of spring allergens include avoiding close contact with blooming plants; keeping windows closed on high pollen days especially in the mornings when pollen counts are often highest; wearing wraparound sunglasses to act as a physical barrier against airborne irritants; and showering and changing clothes after spending time outdoors to remove lingering pollen particles.

While allergens cannot be eliminated from the environment entirely, over-the-counter or prescription eye drops can provide relief. Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker said preservative-free lubricating drops were the easiest drop to find. Additionally, antihistamine drops can be purchased via a pharmacist, and an oral antihistamine can also help.

“It is advisable to avoid feather-filled bedding. If however, symptoms don’t settle with preservative-free lubricants and antihistamines, it may be worth seeking a referral to an ophthalmologist.

“Spring allergies can be very debilitating and difficult to control. It is often a lifelong condition.”

Contact Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists on 1800 EYE DOC (1800 393 362) or email reception@sconoosa.com.au. Website: www.sconoosa.com.au

17/08/2025

Thank you for the article Cooroy Rag Community Newspaper

Let’s make eye care a priority: Queenslanders must protect their eyes

With sun-drenched beaches, outdoor sports and a sun-soaked lifestyle, the Sunshine Coast is a paradise for outdoor living, but it also presents a serious risk to one of our most vulnerable organs: the eyes.

Amid rising awareness about skin cancer, medical experts are urging Queenslanders not to overlook their eye health. A growing concern is pterygium, a potentially vision-threatening condition caused by prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.

A pterygium is a wedge-shaped growth that extends from the conjunctiva (the white of the eye) onto the cornea. While it might start as a harmless-looking lesion, it can become red, irritated, distort vision, or in rare cases, contain cancerous cells.

Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists operations manager Naomi Martin said symptoms vary from no discomfort at all to persistent redness, watering, or blurred vision. While lubricating eye drops and sun protection can help with discomfort, only surgery can remove the growth and test for cancer.

Although pterygia can affect people of any age, outdoor workers and active workers are at higher risk. According to 2021 Census data, approximately 15 per cent of the Sunshine Coast population works outdoors. This includes surfers, construction workers, gardeners and other outdoor professionals. “These individuals are at significantly higher risk due to their constant UV exposure,” Naomi explained. “But even recreational exposure, like a day at the beach without sunglasses, adds up over time. Here on the Sunshine Coast where outdoor living is part of our lifestyle, we need to treat eye protection just like we treat skin protection.”

To reduce risk, Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists’ ophthalmologist associate professor Kris Rallah-Baker recommends residents wear wraparound sunglasses with broad UV protection paired with wide-brimmed hats. And children are not exempt. Kids as young as toddlers can and should wear properly fitted sunglasses with UV protection. “Protecting your eyes should be part of your daily sun safety routine,” Kris said. “There’s nothing cool about eye cancer, but looking after your sight definitely is.”

Regular check-ups are a must. If a pterygium is spotted, referral to an ophthalmologist can ensure early, effective treatment.

Contact Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists at Noosa: phone 1800 EYE DOC (393 362), email reception@sconoosa.com.au or visit www.sconoosa.com.au

15/08/2025

We’re proud to share that our very own Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker recently featured on program - Changing Australia.

In this engaging and thought-provoking conversation, Kris offers unique insights and reflections that inform, inspire, and encourage deeper understanding, making it a truly worthwhile listen.

08/08/2025

August 8 is World Ophthalmologist Day 👀
Today we celebrate all eye doctors and surgeons who make a visible difference to save the sight of Australians!

The team at Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists (SCO) are so proud to work with Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker.
Swipe across 👉 to get to know more about Dr Kris - Your Local Eye Doctor

👁️‍🗨️What does an Ophthalmologist do?
An Ophthalmologist is an eye doctor and surgeon who specialises in diagnosing and managing disorders of the eye and visual system.
In simple terms? They save the gift of sight!

👁️‍🗨️How many sight-saving heroes are out there?
There are currently almost 1,100 registered Ophthalmologists in Australia.
While the practice of Ophthalmology is an extremely expensive medical specialist practice, it remains a highly competitive medical speciality.
This is good, in that it means patients continue to be guaranteed the highest quality ophthalmic care across Australia and New Zealand.

👁️‍🗨️Why are eye surgeons the ultimate authority on eye health?
Ophthalmology requires a minimum of 12 years of tertiary study, first attaining a medical degree, completing internship and residency as a doctor, and then undertaking further specialist study as an Ophthalmologist.
There are some conditions only their specialist-trained eye can see!

With 9 in 10 Australians reflecting that ‘sight’ is their most valued sense, it’s high time we created strong public sentiment for ophthalmologists and our sight-saving specialty!

today and everyday

10/07/2025

🖤💛❤️ HAPPY NAIDOC WEEK 🖤💛❤️

The 2025 theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” celebrates not only the achievements of the past but the bright future ahead, empowered by the strength of our young leaders, the vision of our communities, and the legacy of our ancestors.

Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists proudly acknowledge and celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We honour the strength and resilience of First Nations communities and reflect on how we can all walk together for a better future.

24/06/2025

👁️ CATARACTS? We’ve got you covered!
🙌 🎉 SCO now offer BULK BILLED initial cataract consultations
👋 Contact our friendly team today for more info
📞 1800 EYE DOC | 📧reception@sconoosa.com.au

Welcome to Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists at Noosa, the only permanent and fully equipped Ophthalmic clinic in Noosa, Queensland and formally known as Noosa Ophthalmology.

22/06/2025

🎉 SCO Turns 5! 🎉

Five years ago, Dr Kris Rallah-Baker founded Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists (SCO) with a vision to provide exceptional eye care right here on the Coast — and what an incredible journey it’s been since then!

Under the leadership of Dr Kris and our manager Naomi, we’ve grown into a passionate team, welcomed thousands of patients, and stayed true to our mission: putting patients and their vision first 👁️💙

To our amazing community, thank you for trusting us with your eye health. And to our incredible team — your dedication, heart and hard work are what make SCO truly special.

Here’s to the next five years and beyond! 🥂

30/05/2025

Queensland is his home state, and we are on his country 🖤💛❤️

Associate Professor Kris Rallah-Baker, a proud Yuggera/Warangu/Wiradjuri man and Australia’s first Indigenous ophthalmologist, has opened the 2025 A*O Skills Expo by performing a Welcome to Country.

He is a champion for eye health and through his participation in the Indigenous Eye Health Unit - IEHU's 'Eyecare Now, Eyecare Always' campaign, supporting mob through an Indigenous-led and culturally appropriate way.

Among Kris’ many roles, he sits on the RANZCO Federal Indigenous Committee and is Co-Chair of the College’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee.

Learn more about RANZCO’s RAP 👉 https://ranzco.edu/home/community-engagement/reconciliation-action-plan/

Sunshine Coast Ophthalmologists

*OSkillsExpo

28/05/2025

Australian Society of Ophthalmologists have noticed a familiar face in the Our Medicine TV Series promos😉

We are really feeling the love and excitement in A/Prof Kris Rallah-Baker's involvement in Our Medicine.

Our Medicine premiere's tonight at 7:30pm on NITV and SBS On Demand. We can't wait!!