Graham Barrett

About Graham Barrett

Consultant Ophthalmologist, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital; Consultant Ophthalmologist, Lions Eye Institute; Clinical Professor, Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Profile 

A Dream Come True…
From the moment he set his sights on completing his residency in ophthalmology, Graham David Barrett has made extensive and varied contributions to the field. A pioneer and leader both within his home country of Australia and internationally, throughout his career, Barrett has served on the boards of several international and highly-regarded ophthalmology societies and sat on several industry Editorial Boards, serving as the Editor of the EyeWorld Asia-Pacific publication.

Of particular note, Barrett co-founded the Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (AUSCRS) in 1995, serving as its President for over 25 years. Over this period, the society developed a thriving community of professionals committed to analyzing and reconsidering how cataract and refractive surgery could continue to improve.
At a regional level Professor Barrett served as president of the Asia Pacific Association of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons from 2000 to 2015 and was instrumental in the development of APACRS and its annual meeting into the pre-eminent society focused on cataract and refractive surgery in the Asia Pacific region.

This desire for the betterment of cataract and refractive surgery – and improved patient outcomes – has been not only a mainstay of Barrett’s career but also the driving force behind his development of numerous pioneering instruments and innovations, including the development of the world’s first foldable IOL implanted in 1983, popular Barrett Toric Formula and Calculator and the RayOne EMV – the first and only available IOL optimized for use with Monovision. 

With such an impact, it is no surprise that Barrett has received recognition through several awards and honors, including the Norman Gregg Medal, awarded by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists; the APACRS Gold Medal; and the José I. Barraquer Lecture and Award by the International Society of Refractive Surgery. Even in this arena, Barrett broke new ground, becoming the first Australian ophthalmologist to win, in the same year, the prestigious Binkhorst, Choyce, Ridley and Susruta awards.

All of this culminated in Barrett being recognized in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honors for Australia, receiving the honorary title of Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his significant service to ophthalmology and to professional organizations. 

In 2023, it seems only right that we honor Graham Barrett’s incredible career and service further through his induction into The Ophthalmologist Power List Hall of Fame.

Awards and Honors: 
1995 – Co-Founder and President, Australasian Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
1995 – Lim Lecture, Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
2003 – Ridley Medal, European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
2003 – Susruta Award, Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
2005 –Binkhorst Medal, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
2005 – Choyce Medal, United Kingdom & Ireland Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
2006 – Ridley Medal, Congress of German Ophthalmic Surgeons
2010 – APACRS Gold Medal, Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
2014 – President, International Intra-Ocular Implant Club
2016 – Charles D. Kelman Innovator’s Lecture, American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons
2021 – Norman Gregg Medal, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists
1996- 2023 – Board of Officers, Asia-Pacific Association of Cataract & Refractive Surgeons
2022 – José I. Barraquer Lecture and Award, International Society of Refractive Surgery
2022 – Member of the Order of Australia (AM), 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honors for Australia
2023 – The Ophthalmologist Power List Hall of Fame

Specialization

Anterior Segment (Cataract and Cornea)

Education

Medical Training, MBBCh, University of Witwatersrand – 1977

Ophthalmology Training, Fellow Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists, Perth, Western Australia – 1984

Fellowship

Corneal, External Eye Disease and Refractive Surgery, Prof. J. McCulley University of Texas Health and Science Centre, Dallas – 1987