About
A/Prof Chameen Samarawickrama
BSc(Med) MBBS, PhD, FRANZCO
Clinical Associate Professor Chameen Samarawickrama is a Consultant Eye Surgeon with expertise in corneal and anterior segment surgery, complex corneal diseases, keratoconus, corneal transplantation, cataract surgery and laser eye surgery. A/Prof Samarawickrama combines scientific excellence with personalised care. He prides himself on clear communication and patient education. His philosophy is to maintain a wholistic approach to each person’s vision, from assessment, to surgery, and aftercare. A/Prof Samarawickrama is abreast of the forefronts of ophthalmic developments and technology, and delivers this in a personalised and approachable manner.
A/Prof Samarawickrama is an alumnus of James Ruse Agricultural High School where he graduated as Dux with a perfect score of 100.00 in the NSW Higher School Certificate. He studied Medicine and Surgery at the University of New South Wales. After submitting his PhD, A/Prof Samarawickrama commenced his Ophthalmology training at Sydney Eye Hospital in 2010 and went on to complete his first advanced specialisation in cornea and laser eye surgery at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital (Melbourne). He was subsequently selected to complete a second fellowship at the acclaimed Moorfields Eye Hospital (London), where he worked with doyens in the field of corneal surgery including Mr Bruce Allan, Mr Stephen Tuft and Mr Mark Wilkins. At the culmination of his advanced specialist training, A/Prof Samarawickrama was appointed Consultant in Cornea and External Eye Diseases at Moorfields Eye Hospital prior to his return to Sydney in 2016.
A/Prof Samarawickrama was named one of the ‘Top 5’ Young Scientists of 2019. He has made major contributions to ophthalmology research, and is a leading clinician-scientist in his field. He was awarded his PhD from the University of Sydney. A/Prof Samarawickrama has authored over 55 publications in top-tier international journals. His research interests include the formulation of a novel corneal glue, early detection of keratoconus using photonic sensors and the development of new therapies for herpes simplex keratitis. Over the course of his career A/Prof Samarawickrama has been awarded over 10 scholarships, and over $400,000 in research funding.
He is a regular speaker at international conferences and instructs ophthalmology trainees in cataract surgery and complex corneal and anterior segment reconstructions.
A/Prof Samarawickrama is a consultant ophthalmologist at Westmead Hospital and Liverpool Hospital. He operates at Hospital for Specialist Surgery (HSS) and City West Specialist Day Hospital, and consults at Nexus Eyecare at Norwest and Blacktown.
A/Prof Samarawickrama lives in Sydney with his wife, who is a local GP. In his spare time, he is an avid squash player and loves a good book.
Dr Samarawickrama has received the following awards and prizes
2019 Selected as one of the ABC’s Top 5 Young Scientists of 2019
2018 Westmead Charitable Trust Early Career Research Fellowship
2017 Biomedical Engineering Research Collaboration Grant
2016 Moorfields Association Bursary
2016 ECR Congress Support Travel Scholarship
2015 Sydney University Kick Start Grant
2015 Norman Rose Travelling Scholarship
2014 AUSCRS Young Fellow Scholarship
2012 Pfizer Travel Scholarship
2009 Postgraduate Research Support Scheme Scholarship
2009 NHMRC Research Grant
2009 Westmead RMO Association Travel Scholarship
2008 NHMRC Medical Postgraduate Scholarship
2007 Clancey-Donald Fellowship
2007 Westmead Charitable Trust Travel Scholarship
2002 Vocational Scholarship
1999 Australian Student Prize
Dr Samarawickrama’s academic publications can be seen here:
https://scholar.google.com.au/citations?user=kJaX6TgAAAAJ&hl=en
Dr Samarawickrama has featured in the media on the following occasions
2019 ABC Radio – Focus
Interview with Cassie McCullagh on Focus
Listen to Broadcast
2019 ABC Radio National Breakfast Show
Interview with Fran Kelly on Radio National Breakfast
Listen to Broadcast
2019 ABC News
Top 5 Scientists of 2019
View Article
2019 Royal Australian and New Zealand Collagen of Ophthalmologists
Top 5 Scientists of 2019
View Article
2019 MiVision
Dr Samarawickrama: ABC’s Top 5 Young Scientists
View Article
2016 Outcomes of the Boston Keratoprosthesis
Touch Ophthalmology website – best practise for healthcare professionals
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2014 A debatable fix for young eyes.
New York Times Newspaper
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2014 Beer line cleaners running risk of blindness as they are not forced to wear goggles
Herald Sun Newspaper
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