Dr. Smith and Dr. Kearns commenced private practice as ophthalmologists in October 1980 with offices and consulting rooms at Kingsford and Double Bay.
The Day Surgery then known as the Sydney Ophthalmic Day Surgery was established in October 1985 at 2A Middle Street, Kingsford. It was designed as an ophthalmic clinic with an in house operating suite, where patients undergo surgery under local anaesthesia on a walk in, walk out basis. The NSW Health Department was consulted at the outset for design advice and although the Act and licensing process was not in place at that time, draft guidelines were provided and formal inspection was carried out.
In January 1991 the Centre was granted a licence under the Private Hospitals and Day Procedure Centres Act.
The day surgery was set up to meet the surgical needs of the Clinic with the exception of those cases for whom hospital care is essential. As we know the hospital requirement has diminished to a fraction of workload as ophthalmic day surgery techniques have improved.
In 1988 the adjoining property at 2 Middle Street was purchased and in February 1995 we opened an extended, remodelled facility amalgamating both properties.
In 1998 an additional operating theatre was built at Kingsford and a Laser theatre was built. First patients were treated in July 1998.
In 2001 the centre changed its name from Sydney Ophthalmic Day Surgery to The Sydney Eye Specialist Centre to makes its services more identifiable to the general public.