Meet Dr Freny Kalapesi

Oculoplastic & Ophthalmic Surgery, Cataract & General Ophthalmology BSC(MED)MBBS PHD, FRANZCO, ANZOPRS

• • Undergraduate Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery MBBS BSc(Med) UNSW 1999
  • PhD at UNSW in basic laboratory ophthalmic research, neuroprotection 2007
  • Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (FRANZCO) 2012
  • Member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Ophthalmic Plastic Surgeons (ANZSOPS)
  • Double Oculoplastic Fellowship in the UK 2010-2012

Dr Kalapesi is an ophthalmologist who specialised further in oculoplastic surgery (surgery of the eyelids, lacrimal or tear drainage system and the periorbital region/ orbit). She trained primarily at the Prince of Wales hospital in Sydney with rotational work to Sydney Eye hospital and elsewhere including regional areas such as Broken Hill and with the flying doctors service.

After this she undertook two separate fellowships in the United Kingdom. Her first fellowship was at the Royal United Hospital, Bath in General Ophthalmology with experience in Cataract, macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, strabismus, paediatrics but with a special interest in Oculoplastics.

After this Dr Kalapesi took on her second fellowship at the Bristol Eye Hospital, as the Oculoplastics and Orbital fellow. During this year, she gained vast surgical experience in lid, lacrimal and orbital conditions and was an investigator for the CIRTED Trial investigating the role of immunosuppression and radiotherapy in thyroid eye disease. She also hosted weekly multidisciplinary orbital meetings.

She has published various articles on various topics in ophthalmology.

Dr Kalapesi is a Staff Specialist Ophthalmologist at Westmead public Hospital, VMO at Chris O’Brien Lifehouse and honorary VMO at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and has been in private practice in Sydney since 2012.