Dr Tasneem Arsiwalla’s experience as a Mabs Melville Corneal Fellow at Sydney Eye Hospital in 2020 was pivotal in shaping her career. Before joining the fellowship, Dr Arsiwalla had already completed her glaucoma fellowship at the hospital and worked as a research associate at the Save Sight Institute. However, her passion for corneal diseases and transplants led her to pursue further training.
“Corneal diseases and transplants always interested me due to the impact they have on vision,” she says. “The fellowship at Sydney Eye Hospital helped me increase my surgical repertoire, manage complex cases, and encounter new and different corneal diseases.”
Fellows like Dr Arsiwalla play a crucial role in supporting the busy outpatient and surgery lists at Sydney Eye Hospital. Their expertise not only enhances the quality of care but also helps the department manage the growing demands of patient treatment, ensuring timely care for all.
Following the completion of her fellowship, Dr Arsiwalla found herself with new opportunities to refine her skills further in Australia.
“I was able to continue honing my skills and knowledge while working in Australia,” she explains.
Today, Dr Arsiwalla is working as a comprehensive ophthalmologist in Melbourne, where she applies her advanced skills to provide the best patient care.
“I use my surgical skills and knowledge to help patients in the emergency department, outpatient clinic, and operating theatre,” she says. In addition to her clinical work, Dr Arsiwalla is deeply involved in training junior doctors, passing on the knowledge she gained during her fellowship.
Her work has had a significant impact in her city, especially in the emergency department where she often treats corneal and external eye diseases.
“Due to the skills I attained during my fellowship, I’ve been able to provide timely and effective care to patients in distress,” she says. “I also have the opportunity to teach and supervise junior doctors, which is incredibly rewarding.”
Dr Arsiwalla’s research during her fellowship has furthered advancements in the field of corneal Fuchs' dystrophy.
“My medical research papers have paved the way for further research and progress in this area,” she says, underscoring the long-term impact of her work.
Reflecting on her fellowship year, Dr Arsiwalla highlights how it boosted her confidence and helped her achieve her RANZCO fellowship.
“It allowed me to follow my passion and reach my goals,” she says.
She also credits the fellowship with fostering personal growth, balancing her professional aspirations with family life.
“Becoming a mother of two and managing both work and family has been a rewarding challenge,” she says.
Linda Fagan, CEO of the Sydney Eye Hospital Foundation, acknowledges the vital role that donors and bequests play in making the fellowship program possible.
“We are deeply grateful to our generous donors, whose gifts ensure that the Sydney Eye Hospital Fellowship program continues to thrive. The impact of the program is clear in the careers of talented individuals like Dr Arsiwalla, who are not only advancing eye care in Australia but also making a difference globally. It’s thanks to supporters like them that we can offer world-class training and provide life-changing opportunities for Fellows like Dr Arsiwalla.”
