About Professor Simunovic
About Professor Simunovic
Matthew Simunovic is an ophthalmic surgeon specialising in surgery and diseases of the retina and vitreous in both children and adults. He underwent clinical training in Australia, North America, and the United Kingdom. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO), the only Australian member of the American Ophthalmological Society, and an elected member of the Macula Society (USA).
Prof. Simunovic holds senior clinical appointments as a vitreoretinal surgeon at Sydney Eye Hospital and the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, alongside his role as Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Science at the University of Sydney and Adjunct Professor in the Discipline of Surgery at the University of New South Wales.
Education and Training
Prof. Simunovic attended medical school at the University of Cambridge (MB BChir, with distinction in Medicine & Surgery), where he also completed his PhD for a thesis on cone dystrophies. He trained in ophthalmic surgery at Sydney Eye Hospital, followed by subspecialty fellowships at:
- University of British Columbia, Vancouver
- Moorfields Eye Hospital, London
- Oxford Eye Hospital / University of Oxford, Oxford
Clinical Practice
Prof. Simunovic undertakes high-volume vitreoretinal surgery, and his practice encompasses:
- Vitreoretinal surgery
- Medical retina
- Complex cataract surgery, including sutured and sutureless scleral fixation of intraocular lenses
Prof. Simunovic has been involved in the development and delivery of new therapies and was the first surgeon in the Southern Hemisphere to perform approved sub-retinal gene therapy surgery (voretigene neparvovec/Luxturna™ for the treatment of RPE65-associated inherited retinal disease).
Teaching
As Vitreoretinal Surgery Fellowship Director at Sydney Eye Hospital, Prof. Simunovic is closely involved in training and examining future specialists & subspecialists, including serving as an examiner for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists’ Advanced Clinical Examination. He contributes to Sight for All’s fellowship training program, delivering patient care and surgical teaching in Southeast Asia.
Click here to learn about clinical and research training opportunities
Research
Prof. Simunovic’s research bridges laboratory science and surgical/clinical innovation, focusing on emerging treatments for retinal disease and experimental vitreoretinal surgery.
He has served as principal investigator/investigator on multiple landmark studies, including:
- Encapsulated cell technology (Renexus Trial) for neurotrophic factor delivery (now marketed as Encelto™) — most implants performed worldwide in Phase III trials
- Sustained anti-VEGF delivery (Velodrome Trial) via the Susvimo™ port delivery system — most procedures performed in Australia
- Principal investigator for a first-in-human foldable capsular bag prosthesis for intraocular lens fixation (Longbridge Medical)
- Principal investigator for a randomised controlled trial establishing the preferred means of delivering sub-retinal therapies (PubMed link)
An active inventor, he has multiple patent filings in devices and methods for retinal surgery, ophthalmic drug delivery, and vision testing.
Prof. Simunovic is a board member of Australian Vision Research, the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation and chairs its research committee, and is a member of the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s Research Standing Committee.
His research has been supported by competitive grants from the NHMRC, the Foundation Fighting Blindness (USA), the Macular Disease Foundation Australia, the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, the Medical Research Future Fund, and the Macula Society (USA), among others.
Click here to learn more about his current and past research
Awards and Honours
Prof. Simunovic’s work has been recognised with numerous awards, including the Foundation Fighting Blindness Career Development Award, the Bayer Global Ophthalmology Award, and election to the Macula Society and American Ophthalmological Society (the world’s oldest ophthalmic society; only Australian member).
Prof Simunovic pictured with the Governor General receiving a major grant awarded by the Macular Disease Foundation Australia.
- American Ophthalmological Society
- Foundation Fighting Blindness Career Development Award
- Elected to the Macula Society, USA
- RANZCO Eye Foundation/Novartis Fellowship
- Bayer Global Ophthalmology Awards Program Fellowship
- ARVO MIT Outstanding Poster Award
- ARVO International Travel Grant
- RANZCO/Bayer Australia Scholarship
- Sydney Eye Hospital Alumni Association Travelling Fellowship
- Norman Rose Travelling Scholarship, Sydney Hospitallers
- The Duke-Elder Examination Prize, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- The Patrick Trevor-Roper Award, Royal College of Ophthalmologists
- Foulkes Foundation Fellowship, The Foulkes Foundation
- The Packer Scholarship, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust
- The Wellcome Research Prize, The Wellcome Trust
- Department of Surgery Prize, University of Cambridge
- E. M. Burnett Prize, University of Cambridge
- The Denis Dooley Prize, University of Cambridge
- W.D. Wright Award, Colour Group of Great Britain
- Research Scholarship, Cambridge Philosophical Society
In the media
Dr Simunovic has featured a number of times in the media. You can see some examples of his work by selecting the link below.
Research
Dr Simunovic is actively engaged in research into retinal diseases. Read his list of publications by selecting the link below.
LOCATIONS
APPOINTMENTS
You may book an appointment with Professor Simunovic by calling one of our locations. If you are preparing for a visit, please read this important information prior to your appointment
