Dr Simon Skalicky

Dr Simon Skalicky A/Prof Simon Skalicky is a Melbourne-based Ophthalmologist achieving excellence in the management of

No. Myopia cannot be reversed, but progression can be slowed with lifestyle changes, drops, or optical devices. Once sta...
22/06/2026

No. Myopia cannot be reversed, but progression can be slowed with lifestyle changes, drops, or optical devices. Once stabilised, myopia can be corrected with refractive surgery.

With myopia rates increasing in Australian cities, especially among school-aged children, awareness is critical. Parents...
17/06/2026

With myopia rates increasing in Australian cities, especially among school-aged children, awareness is critical. Parents should not assume blurred distance vision is harmless, as it may indicate a risk of future eye disease.

For adults, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, worsening myopia may also mask the onset of conditions such as glaucoma or cataracts. A comprehensive examination with an ophthalmologist ensures these risks are not overlooked.

A new AI tool known as Fundus2Globe is transforming how we assess myopia risk. By analysing 2D retinal images and recons...
15/06/2026

A new AI tool known as Fundus2Globe is transforming how we assess myopia risk. By analysing 2D retinal images and reconstructing a 3D model of the eye, it can predict which children are most likely to develop high myopia.

This personalised approach means interventions can be started earlier, reducing the risk of long-term complications. Technologies like these also support rural and regional Australia by providing access to advanced assessments outside major cities.

While myopia cannot be reversed, progression can often be slowed, especially if detected early.1. Lifestyle intervention...
10/06/2026

While myopia cannot be reversed, progression can often be slowed, especially if detected early.

1. Lifestyle interventions
Encourage 2+ hours of outdoor play daily for children.

Limit continuous near work—apply the “20-20-20 rule” (every 20 minutes, look 20 feet away for 20 seconds).

Balance screen use with physical activity.

2. Pharmacological options
Low-dose atropine drops have been shown to slow myopia progression in children.

3. Optical solutions
Myopia-control contact lenses (orthokeratology or multifocal designs).

Specialised spectacle lenses designed to reduce eye strain and slow progression.

4. Regular monitoring
Children with myopic parents should undergo early and frequent eye checks to track changes.

5. Red light therapy
Studies has shown that brief, repeated low level red light exposure can slow or reduce the rate of myopia.

Mild myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, as myopia worsens, the risk of sight-threa...
08/06/2026

Mild myopia can usually be corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, as myopia worsens, the risk of sight-threatening complications increases:

- Glaucoma: Myopic eyes are more vulnerable to optic nerve damage. Learn more about glaucoma care.

- Retinal detachment: Excessive elongation stretches the retina, making it more prone to tearing.

- Macular degeneration: High myopia can cause degenerative changes in the central retina.

- Early cataracts: Myopia is associated with earlier and more complex cataract formation, often requiring advanced cataract surgery.

This is why taking steps early and staying on top of regular eye checks can make a real difference to protecting your long-term vision.

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it....
03/06/2026

Myopia occurs when the eyeball grows too long, causing light to focus in front of the retina rather than directly on it. Genetics plays a role, but lifestyle changes in recent decades have accelerated its prevalence.

Key drivers include:
- Screen time: Increased use of smartphones, tablets, and computers means more near work and less distance focusing.

- Reduced outdoor activity: Natural daylight helps regulate healthy eye growth, yet children today spend less time outdoors.

- Educational pressures: Long hours of reading, study, and close-up tasks increase the risk of myopia progression.

- Studies show that Australian children are not immune to this trend, with urban environments particularly contributing to rising numbers.

Short-sightedness, or myopia, has become one of the fastest-growing eye health issues worldwide. Once considered a minor...
31/05/2026

Short-sightedness, or myopia, has become one of the fastest-growing eye health issues worldwide. Once considered a minor inconvenience corrected with glasses, myopia is now recognised as a major public health challenge. By 2050, it is predicted that nearly half the world’s population will be affected, including millions of Australians. This surge isn’t just about needing stronger spectacles. High or uncontrolled myopia significantly increases the risk of serious eye conditions, including glaucoma, cataracts, and retinal detachment. Associate Professor Simon Skalicky, in his latest article, examines why myopia is on the rise, what new technologies are helping to manage it, and how Australians can take steps today to protect their vision.

Assuming that vision changes are “normal” can delay diagnosis of serious, and often treatable, eye conditions. Many sigh...
27/05/2026

Assuming that vision changes are “normal” can delay diagnosis of serious, and often treatable, eye conditions. Many sight-threatening diseases—such as glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and cataracts—develop gradually, and early symptoms may go unnoticed or be brushed off.

The earlier these conditions are identified, the better the outcome will be. Timely intervention can:
Prevent irreversible vision loss
Simplify treatment plans
Improve quality of life
Preserve independence, mobility, and mental health

We recommend paying attention to these condition in order to timely intervention.

Floaters, Flashes or a Shadow in Your VisionA few floaters—those specks or threads that drift across your vision—are com...
25/05/2026

Floaters, Flashes or a Shadow in Your Vision
A few floaters—those specks or threads that drift across your vision—are common, especially in older adults, and are most likely due to a posterior viterous detachment (PVD).
A sudden increase in floaters, flashes of light, or the appearance of a dark curtain or shadow could indicate a retinal tear or detachment, which is a slight-threatening emergency.
Other potential causes include:
Posterior vitreous detachment (PVD)
Bleeding in the eye
Inflammation or infection

If you notice these symptoms, especially in one eye, do not wait—prompt treatment is critical to preserving your vision.

There is no normal age-related reason to lose peripheral vision.Tunnel vision - a narrowing of your visual field, is str...
20/05/2026

There is no normal age-related reason to lose peripheral vision.
Tunnel vision - a narrowing of your visual field, is strongly associated with glaucoma, which can progress silently and often without early warning signs.

Other possible causes include:
Retinitis pigmentosa
Neurological conditions
Retinal detachment

Peripheral vision loss is subtle but dangerous. It may first show up as difficulty noticing people or objects from the side, misjudging steps or curbs, or bumping into furniture. If these symptoms are happening to you, it is recommended to see an eye specialist to be assessed and treated appropriately.

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Suite 52, Cabrini Medical Centre, Isabella Street
Malvern East, VIC
3144

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Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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