Opthamologists

Dr. Graham Hay-Smith

MA(Oxon), MA, ACFA(UK), MBBS, MRCS(Ed), FRCOphth, FRANZCO:

I am a highly qualified and experienced ophthalmic surgeon. I trained in London at leading medical institutions and have degrees from Oxford University, University of Leeds and the University of London. I am a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and a Fellow of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists.

I have very extensive experience in general ophthalmic surgery and cataract surgery in particular. I have performed many thousands of successful procedures and I pride myself on excellent results and low complication rates.

I am the Principal of the Moreton Eye Group, Brisbane’s leading ophthalmic practice with 3 locations in North Brisbane: North Lakes, Redcliffe and Caboolture. (hyperlink Moreton Eye Group, and the 3 sites).

The Moreton Eye Group is a select group of experienced Ophthalmologists and between us we provide the highest quality care for all aspects of eye health.

Dr Aaron Chidgey

B.App Sci (Optom)(Hons) MBBS FRANZCO
Medical Retina and Surgical Retina
Cataract Surgeon

Dr Aaron Chidgey is an Ophthalmologist with sub speciality training in medical retina (diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration and vein occlusions) and vitreoretinal surgery including trauma, complex cataract surgery (secondary lens implantation) and retinal detachments.

Dr Chidgey commenced his Ophthalmology training at the prestigious Sydney Eye Hospital and completed his formal registrar training in Queensland. He has undergone several fellowships including a vitreoretinal fellowship at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and medical retina, uveitis, genetics and vitreoretinal fellowships at the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in London England. Prior to his medical training he worked throughout regional and remote Queensland as an Optometrist.

Dr Chidgey is a member of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmology (RANZCO). He is also a Visiting Medical Officer (VMO) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and Redlands Hospital where he is involved in ongoing training of junior doctors and registrars. Dr Chidgey has presented at many local and international meetings and is committed to staying up to date with the latest medical interventions and surgical techniques.

Dr Ankita Kothari

MBBS, DNB, FRANZCO

Dr. Ankita Kothari (AK) is a highly skilled ophthalmologist with over a decade of diverse clinical and surgical experience.

After completing her postgraduate training in Ophthalmology and attaining her specialist qualifications in India in 2013, Dr. AK served as an Assistant Professor at a prestigious medical college hospital, where she made significant contributions to both academic and clinical ophthalmology.

Since relocating to Australia, Dr. AK has gained extensive experience working in public hospitals across Perth and Brisbane, developing broad exposure across all ophthalmic subspecialties. This experience culminated in the award of the Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) in April 2025.

Dr. AK provides comprehensive ophthalmic care, with clinical expertise spanning cataract, pterygium, glaucoma, corneal conditions, and medical retina. Her surgical services include cataract surgery, pterygium excision, corneal cross-linking for early keratoconus, and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS).

In her spare time, Dr. AK enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring new cuisines, and travelling.

Dr Jim McAlister

Cataract, Corneal Surgery, Femtosecond Laser surgery.

MB BS BSc (Hons) MD (Res.) FRCOphth FRANZCO, Associate Professor, Griffith University

Dr McAlister is a highly skilled ophthalmic surgeon with expertise in cataract and refractive surgery, as well as corneal and ocular surface disease management. Renowned for his precision and patient-centred approach, he is sought after for his ability to deliver exceptional visual outcomes, even in complex cases.

He provides advanced, laser-assisted treatments for cataract, pterygium, corneal transplantation, and ocular surface tumours, tailoring each procedure to the specific needs of the patient. Dr McAlister blends cutting-edge technology with a personalised approach to deliver the best possible vision outcomes. His current research is pioneering customised 3D-generated tissue replacements to restore vision in patients with severe keratoconus.

When he’s not in the operating theatre, you’ll find him in the garden or out walking.

Dr Angela Richards

BSc, MBBS, FRANZCO

Dr. Richards is a highly-skilled ophthalmic surgeon with expertise in cataract surgery, eyelid surgery, tear drainage surgery, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.

​Training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Richards graduated with Honours from the University of Queensland medical program. She completed a Master of Science in Medicine (Ophthalmic Science) from the University of Sydney School of Medicine.​

Having completed RANZCO ophthalmology training in Queensland, Dr. Richards moved to the United Kingdom for two years of further training in advanced Cataract surgery, Oculoplastic surgery and Medical Retina. She worked at the James Cook University Hospital in North Yorkshire during her Oculoplastic and Orbital Surgery Fellowship, and was invited to work as an Oculoplastics Fellow at the prestigious Moorfields Eye Hospital in London, where she took the opportunity to broaden her sub-specialty experience, including expanding her skills in endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy.​

Dr. Richards also accepted a prestigious fellowship in the field of Medical Retina at London’s Moorfields Eye Hospital. There she was trained by ophthalmologists who are widely considered to be world leaders in the diagnosis, medical management and research of retinal diseases such as macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. During her tenure, she gained extensive surgical experience in managing the complexities of cataract surgery in patients with retinal conditions. She was awarded the Topham Scholarship and the RANZCO Travelling Scholarship for her dedication to furthering her skills through the pursuit of overseas advanced training.

Over the years, Dr. Richards has gained diverse experience while working at a number of locations including Brisbane, Townsville, Gold Coast, Darwin, rural Australia, London and North Yorkshire. Alongside her clinical work, she actively participates and presents at local and international ophthalmology conferences, showcasing her commitment to staying abreast of the latest advancements in the field. Dr. Richards is dedicated to providing high-quality ophthalmic care and continues to contribute to the field through her expertise and ongoing pursuit of knowledge.

Would you like an appointment with Dr Richards?

Appointments for new patients need to be made via a GP or Optometrist. We can help you find an appropriate referrer.

Dr Richa Sharma

MBBS, MS, FRANZCO

Dr Richa Sharma is an experienced general ophthalmologist with expertise in cataract surgery and pterygium with subspecialist fellowship training in Paediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and General Ophthalmology/Medical Retina.

Dr Sharma did her  Paediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus fellowship at the Royal Children’s Hospita
l, Brisbane under the mentorship of Professor Glen Gole. Following this, Richa completed a one-year fellowship in General Ophthalmology and Medical Retina  at the Queensland Eye Institute and Mater Hospital in Brisbane.

Richa is Fellow of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) and a member of All India Ophthalmology Society (AIOS). Richa has worked at multiple Qld Hospitals in last 10 years including Gold Coast University Hospital, Sunshine Coast Hospital, Mater Hospital and Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Richa is presently working as VMO in Ophthalmology at Queensland Children’s Hospital and Sunshine Coast University Hospital. She is passionate about teaching and is involved in training the current generation of training registrars in Ophthalmology  and medical students.

Richa is multilingual and fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi.

Dr Neharika Sharma

Dr Neharika Sharma is a consultant Ophthalmologist with sub-specialty fellowship training in Glaucoma.

She graduated from the University of Adelaide with an undergraduate medical degree, before completing Ophthalmology training in her home state of Queensland. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO), and holds a Masters of Medicine – Ophthalmic Science from the University of Sydney.

After finishing her Ophthalmology training, Dr Sharma spent two years completing a sub-specialty fellowship in Glaucoma at the prestigious Western Eye Hospital in London, where she learnt cutting-edge techniques from leading Glaucoma surgeons. She has experience with a vast range of Glaucoma procedures – ranging from minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS – iStent, Hydrus, MINIject), minimally invasive bleb surgery (Preserflo), minimally invasive tube surgery, and traditional filtration surgery (trabeculectomy, glaucoma drainage tubes)

Prior to her fellowship, Dr Sharma worked as a general consultant Ophthalmologist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and has experience with cataract surgery – including complex cases, pterygium surgery, minor eyelid procedures, diabetic eye disease, macular degeneration, retinal vascular occlusions, and ophthalmic emergencies.

Dr Sharma has presented at international conferences, and is actively involved in teaching training registrars and medical students. She also a passion for outreach work, and has volunteered at the Tilganga Eye Institute in Nepal.

Dr Sharma values a patient-centric approach to her practice