Sight restoring micro retinal eye surgery a regional first

20 Jan 2026

The hospital is the first in the South West to deliver vitreoretinal surgery thanks to the skills of vitreoretinal surgeon and ophthalmologist Dr Alex H Kang and community donations that enabled the purchase of specialised surgical equipment. 

Vitreoretinal (VR) surgery uses lasers and advanced surgical equipment to treat damage inside the eye. It treats conditions that affect the retina which is responsible for receiving light and forming visual images. Without timely treatment damage to these parts of the eye can be catastrophic. 

St John of God Bunbury Hospital CEO Jack Harding said the introduction of vitreoretinal surgery in the South West would make a meaningful difference for patients. 

“Thanks to the capabilities and experience of Dr Kang, and the hospital’s investment in specialist surgical equipment including the new Unity VCS System from Alcon, South West residents no longer have to travel to Perth to have this surgery,” he said.

“Providing this surgery locally will help meet a vital need in the community and enable us to attract and retain doctors and caregivers who want to be trained in different types of ophthalmology surgeries.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the organisations who have made very generous donations to purchase this equipment including the Friends of St John of God Bunbury Hospital, Bunbury & Busselton Eye Specialists, and donors to the St John of God Foundation, working with vitreoretinal surgeon and ophthalmologist Dr Alex H Kang.”  

Dr Kang joined Bunbury and Busselton Eye Specialists late last year and has since started providing VR surgery at St John of God Bunbury Hospital. He brings extensive international experience, having performed thousands of vitreoretinal surgeries previously in Seoul, South Korea before relocating to Australia. 

Dr Kang said that for the patients who undergo this surgery it is life changing.

“They are experiencing potentially blinding diseases and the VR surgery can give them their vision back — restoring sight and in some cases preventing people from losing an eye.

“Losing your vision is very debilitating, affecting many aspects of your life which can have a devastating impact,” Dr Kang said.

“The patients we work on are very grateful to be able to see again.”

Restoring the architecture of the eye is one of the reasons Dr Kang decided to take up this type of surgery.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital has made an investment in purchasing the equipment and providing caregiver training to enable this surgery to be performed in the South West. 

Dr Kang acknowledged the expertise and dedication of the St John of God Bunbury Hospital theatre team who support this complex surgery. 

“Without a team that knows how to use all the different devices and equipment involved in VR surgery, it can be very difficult,” Dr Kang said.

“I am excited about the commitment from St John of God Bunbury Hospital to invest in this surgery. It is a really exciting time and I want to pause and take a moment to thank everyone for their support and recognise the significance of what has been achieved here.”