MBBS FRANZCO RACS FACS

Professor Frank Billson is a distinguished ophthalmologist who has dedicated his life’s work to the alleviation of suffering. His career has been marked by high achievement, sustained and compassionate humanitarian service and selfless leadership in the service of his profession and his country. Professor Billson was previously Head of Paediatric Ophthalmology at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Neonatal Ophthalmologist at Mercy Maternity Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital, Victoria. During his time at the Royal Children’s Hospital, the hospital’s expertise in paediatric ophthalmology became internationally recognised. He has also served as Foundation Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Sydney and established the University’s Save Sight Institute. Throughout his career, his research and clinical interests have had a major focus on neonatal and paediatric ophthalmology. The idea of early intervention and the benefits that early diagnosis and treatment could offer for children and their families was a major interest. Professor Billson co-founded Foresight Australia in 1978 with Major General Paul Cullen AC and has dedicated over four decades to curing and preventing avoidable blindness and empowering communities in the Asia Pacific Region. He is currently a Director of Foresight Australia and Chairman of Sight for Life Foundation and the Sight Foundation Surgical Skills Laboratory, Sydney Eye Hospital. Other notable positions in which Professor Billson has served include:

• President of Royal Australian College of Ophthalmologists (RACS)
• Chairman of Qualification Education Committee (RACS)
• Council examination bodies, Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists (RANZCO) and Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
• Chairman of the Surgical Board in Ophthalmology of RACS
• External Examiner to the Universities in Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Papua New Guinea
• Director of the Lions NSW Eye Bank
• Member of staff of the Sydney Eye Hospital and both NSW children’s hospitals
• Executive of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and was first Chairperson of the West Pacific Region of IAPB
• Council Member of the International Council of Ophthalmology and the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology
• Organising committee of the 2002 International Congress of Ophthalmology
• Honorary Vice President of the IAPB.