Dr Shanu Subbiah

Laser Vision Correction, Refractive Cataract and Lens Exchange, Cornea, Medical Retina

Dr Shanu Subbiah

Laser Vision Correction, Refractive Cataract & Lens Exchange, Cornea, Medical Retina

“When it comes to eye care there is no “one size fits all”. Treatment needs to be personalised to you.”

– Dr Shanu Subbiah, MBChB MRCOphth FRCOphth

Dr Shanu Subbiah’s professional background

Discover more about this New Zealand eye expert below

A cataract, corneal and laser surgery specialist Dr. Subbiah has been with Eye institute since 2013. His easy manner and affable nature have found a natural home in New Zealand medicine.

Dr. Subbiah’s emphasis is on providing personalised, tailored treatment for your eyes. He has expertise in both corneal and retinal conditions and holds substantive positions at the Auckland District Health Board and The University of Auckland, as well as his role at Eye Institute.

Positions held:
  • Vision Correction Specialist & Director – Eye Institute
  • Senior Ophthalmic Surgeon – Auckland District Health Board
  • Clinical Senior Lecturer in Ophthalmology – University of Auckland
  • Honorary Teaching Fellow – School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of Auckland
Training and principal qualifications:
  • MBChB 2000 (University of Aberdeen)
  • MRCOphth 2005 (Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London)
  • FRCOphth 2011 (Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London)
  • Fellowship 2011 – Corneal and Anterior Segment, Auckland (advanced training in lid margin, conjunctiva, cornea, iris and cataract disorders)
  • Fellowship 2012 – Medical Retina, Auckland (advanced training in conditions such as macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusions
Dr Subbiah’s specialisations:

Refractive cataract surgery

  • No needle anaesthesia (safe for patients on aspirin and warfarin)
  • No pain (numbing anaesthetic gel)
  • No sutures (“key-hole” small incision surgery)
  • No eye patch (useful vision through a clear protective shield returns in minutes)
  • No worries – sedation provided by a specialist anaesthetist, if you desire

Retinal diseases

  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Diabetic eye disease
  • Retinal vein occlusion
  • Treatment with laser and a wide range of intravitreal injectable drugs for these conditions allowing for the best possible visual outcome

Refractive lens exchange

  • A procedure that replaces the natural lens of the eye with an Intraocular Lens (IOL) and can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism

Laser Vision Correction (LASIK, PRK, SMILE)

  • Laser eye surgery, or laser vision correction, involves the use of a laser to change the shape of the surface of the eye, the cornea. By altering the shape of the cornea, laser eye surgery can remove any focusing error. It corrects Short Sightedness, Long Sightedness and Astigmatism.

Corneal surgery

  • Corneal graft surgery including partial-thickness DALK and DSAEK techniques

Pterygium surgery

  • Including removal of recurrent and advanced pterygium

Macular degeneration and retinal vascular disease

Dr. Subbiah also has a huge amount of experience in treating conditions such as:

  • Macular degeneration
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Retinal vein occlusion

Shanu was fortunate enough to meet his wife Charlotte whilst on his corneal fellowship. They have two young children Harry and Zoe. Both have happily sucked any residual free time from the pair. Any spare moments are spent at the gym then undoing all of this good work by exploring Auckland’s eclectic and varied food scene.

Associations and memberships:
  • Fellow – Royal College of Ophthalmologists, London
  • Member – American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ASCRS)
  • Member – Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS)
  • Member – European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (ESCRS)
  • Member – New Zealand Medical Council

Discover if you could be free from glasses and contacts

Everyone deserves a life free from glasses and contacts, but not everyone is suitable. The best way to find out if vision correction is right for you is to book a free laser assessment. You’ll get a clear and honest answer on your suitability and treatment options.

Discover if you could be free from glasses and contacts

Everyone deserves a life free from glasses and contacts, but not everyone is suitable. The best way to find out if vision correction is right for you is to book a free laser assessment. You’ll get a clear and honest answer on your suitability and treatment options.