Our Team
Dr Michael E Bernays
BVSc.
FANZCVSC
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist) Director
Dr James White
BVSc.
MANZCVS (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
FANZCVS (Ophthalmology)
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist)
Director
Dr Kaila Leidreiter
BVSc.
MANZCVS (Feline Medicine)
Veterinary Ophthalmology Registrar
Dr Tom Donnelly-Newton
BVSc (hons) Cert AVP MANZCVS (Medicine of Horses) MRCVS
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Equine Internal Medicine
Veterinary Ophthalmology Resident
Dr Sarah Richardson
BVSc.
FANZCVS (Ophthalmology)
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist)
Dr Laura Gilbar
BVSc. (Hons)
Ophthalmology Resident
Amber
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Melyssa
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Madison
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
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Ashlee
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Sally
Nurse & Receptionist
Carly
Receptionist
Dr Michael E Bernays
BVSc FANZCVSC.
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist)
Director
Mike grew up on a cattle property near Gunnedah on the beautiful North West slopes and plains of NSW. He went straight from secondary school into Veterinary Science in 1975 and graduated with First Class Honours from the University of Sydney in 1979, initially working at South Tamworth Animal Hospital, then a short time at Keppel Street Veterinary Clinic in Bathurst before moving to Brisbane to found Sunnybank Hills Veterinary Clinic in 1983.
In 1993 he gained his Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Feline Medicine, then in 1995 he started a private practice Residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology with Dr Richard Smith at Kessels Road Veterinary Hospital in Brisbane. He gained his Fellowship in Veterinary Ophthalmology from the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in 1999 and has worked continuously in full time ophthalmology practice since then.
Currently he is a director and senior ophthalmologist at Animal Eye Services based at Veterinary Specialist Services in Underwood, Brisbane. He is a Registered Veterinary Specialist in Ophthalmology with the Veterinary Surgeons Board of Queensland.
Mike has performed ophthalmic surgery on a diverse range of animal species especially cats, dogs and horses but also some wonderful exotic species ranging from Amazon parrots to Komodo Dragons, Seals and Sea Lions.
Dr Bernays worked overseas in Hong Kong at Happy Valley Veterinary Clinic between 2011 and 2017 where he provided a twice yearly consultancy to Hong Kong veterinarians and their clients.
He has published in the Veterinary Literature on various topics ranging from Convergent strabismus (cross-eyedness) in white tigers to dematiaceous (pigmented) corneal fungal infections in cats and dogs and has presented numerous papers at meetings in Australia and internationally.
Mike has given numerous continuing education presentations to general practitioners and has been involved in the training and mentoring of four new ophthalmologists in his over twenty years of experience. He has previously been an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Queensland where he gave lectures and practical classes in ophthalmology to Bachelor of Veterinary Science students.
He is a past President of the QLD Division of the Australian Veterinary Association and the local Brisbane Veterinary Practitioners Branch. He is currently a member of the Australian Veterinary Association, a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, a member of the Australian Small Animal Veterinary Association, American Veterinary Medical Association and the International Society of Veterinary Ophthalmologists and the European Society of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.
In his spare time Mike is a keen fixed wing aircraft pilot, with nearly 3000 hours of experience especially in his Piper Twin Comanche. He is also a musician – playing the clarinet, piano and singing in the renowned Brisbane based chamber Choir, Canticum, and recently been appointed to the position of voluntary parent administrator of Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Dr James White
BVSc.
MANZCVS (Small Animal Internal Medicine)
FANZCVS (Ophthalmology)
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist)
Director
James graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2010. He then moved to Brisbane to work in small animal general practice. In 2013 he started a formal residency program through the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (ANZCVS) under the mentorship of Specialist Ophthalmologist Dr Mike Bernays. As part of this program, he attained membership of the ANZCVS in Small Animal Internal Medicine and ultimately attained fellowship and specialist registration in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2019. James and Mike are the veterinary directors of Animal Eye Services.
James has authored and published a number of research papers including ones on feline entropion surgery and also a rare eyelid disease of dogs known as “sterile ulcerative pyogranulomatous blepharitis.” This paper received the Australian Small Animal Veterinarians Association's Atwell Award for Best Case Report for 2018. He lectures at conferences and seminars to local and international veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and veterinary students.
James enjoys all aspects of veterinary ophthalmology in both treating medical patients and performing a vast array of eye surgeries but particularly enjoys
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Eyelid surgery (complicated tumor removals, eyelid reconstructions and entropion)
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Corneal/conjunctival grafts for ruptured corneas, descemetocele, sequestra, melting ulcers
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Cataract surgery
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Lens luxations surgery
Dr Kaila Leidreiter
BVSc.
MANZCVS (Feline Medicine)
Veterinary Ophthalmology Registrar
Kaila started work as a kennel hand at her local vet at the age of 13 and has continued to work with animals in varying roles ever since. After a stint working with lion cubs in Zimbabwe in her early 20s, and then volunteering at the Veterinary and Quarantine Centre at Taronga Zoo, she started her Bachelor of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland. She worked as a vet nurse on weekends throughout her studies before graduating with honours in 2013.
Following graduation, she accepted a rotating internship with Veterinary Specialist Services, where she had the unique opportunity to work under specialists in a range of disciplines including surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology, cardiology, oncology, dermatology and critical care.
During the subsequent 3 years spent working in small animal general practice, Kaila developed a strong interest in ophthalmology and regularly spent her days off visiting Animal Eye Services to increase her exposure to this field. Kaila has since joined the team at Animal Eye Services and is undertaking a formal residency in ophthalmology through the Australian & New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists under the mentorship of Specialist Ophthalmologist Dr Mike Bernays and Ophthalmology Registrar Dr James White.
Kaila enjoys spending her spare time with Anoki, her cheeky Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and learning new techniques in silver jewellery making.
Dr Tom Donnelly-Newton
BVSc (hons) Cert AVP MANZCVS (Medicine of Horses) MRCVS
RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Equine Internal Medicine
Veterinary Ophthalmology Resident
Tom graduated from the University of Liverpool, UK in 2013. His career started with first opinion and referral equine practice in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. During this time he completed his Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Equine Internal Medicine and passed the ANZCVS membership examinations in Medicine of Horses.
It was the wide variety of interesting equine eye cases in Queensland that first led to his deep interest in ophthalmology. Knowing ophthalmology practice is cross-species Tom transitioned into small animal practice and after 4 years of emergency and critical care, he started his residency in Veterinary Ophthalmology in 2021. His interests include corneal and cataract surgery.
Dr Sarah Richardson
BVSc.
FANZCVS (Ophthalmology)
Veterinary Ophthalmologist (Specialist)
Sarah grew up in Kenya and made the big move to Australia for university. She graduated from the University of Queensland in 2012 with first-class honours. After working in general practice for two years, she completed a rotating internship in a specialist hospital which exposed her to a wide variety of cases and sparked her desire for further study and training. She then spent two years working as an emergency vet, during which time she obtained membership in the Australian & Amp; New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Medicine. She started her formal residency training in Veterinary Opthalmology in 2018 and became a registered specialist in 2022.
Sarah loves all aspects of veterinary ophthalmology but particularly enjoys corneal surgery. When not at work, Sarah is kept busy by her husband, daughter, German Shepherd cross, and a house full of plants.
Dr Laura Gilbar
BVSc. (Hons)
Ophthalmology Resident
Laura graduated from the University of Queensland in 2020 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science with First Class Honours. She then went on to complete a Small Animal Rotating Internship at Animal Referral Hospital. She enjoyed being able to work in various departments and found it rewarding to follow patients from start to finish.
Laura developed an interest in ophthalmology during her final year rotations. This interest led her to complete an Ophthalmology Internship and commence an Ophthalmology Residency at the Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre in 2022. She has now joined the team to complete the remainder of the program.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys running, baking, sewing, and spending time with her family at the beach.
Amber
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Amber's animal career began when she was 11 years old, when she begged a horse trail ride center to let her volunteer for them. Thirty years later she’s still in the industry and loving every minute of it!
She has completed Certificate two and Certificate three in Animal Studies (Veterinary Nursing) and the Advanced Diploma of Equine Management where she won the E.F.A. scholarship.
She has spent three years as a specialist horse vet nurse, and has worked in almost every role available in the horse industry. She also competed her own horses in E.F.A. Showjumping.
She began her ophthalmology career in Melbourne in 2000 where she spent three years at Animal Eye Care. She has since moved to sunny Brisbane where she has worked at Guide Dogs in the training department and has now been at Animal Eye Services for six years. She owns a spoiled corgi who she competes in Agility with, and two cats.
Melyssa
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
It all started when puppies used to follow Melyssa home from school; she knew then that she wanted
to work in the veterinary industry. Once Melyssa finished year 12 she began working at a veterinary
hospital in the outer suburbs of Melbourne.
After 4 years Melyssa moved with her much-loved horse and dog to the hustle and bustle of Sydney.
While working in a veterinary hospital at Bondi Junction for six years, she achieved her advanced
certificate in veterinary nursing. She collected a menagerie of animals including her husband, and
moved to the warmer relaxed climate of Brisbane in 1999.
After working at a couple of veterinary hospitals in Brisbane, Melyssa took up a position with Animal
Eye Services as an Ophthalmic Nurse and has been with us for over twenty years. During this time
she has added to her menagerie with her son Cameron, many horses (two of which she competes
on), three dogs, two cats, three geese, multiple ducks, and chickens.
Madison
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Born and bred in Melbourne, Carly and her family relocated to country Victoria, where she was educated. Carly soon embraced country life and enjoyed playing netball, tennis and following the Western Bulldogs AFL team. She doted on her
beloved dog, creatively named Spot, who literally followed her home from school one day and stayed for 12 years.
At the completion of her education, Carly traveled overseas and worked in London. She met her future husband there, who hailed from Brisbane and eventually settled here.
Her extensive work history included the areas of real estate, the health industry, and public relations. Carly has found her niche at Animal Eye Services and has never been happier in her role. A litter of puppies being brought in is her idea of heaven! Carly now shares her life with her husband Danny, children Layla and Jack and beloved Border Collie Cruze.
Ashlee
Veterinary Ophthalmic Nurse
Ashlee grew up on the Far North Coast of NSW and has called Brisbane home since 2004. She has been a veterinary nurse for almost fifteen years, nine of which have been in the Ophthalmology field. Ashlee particularly enjoys anaesthesia, surgery, and is always finding new ways to expand her knowledge of eyes.
In her spare time, Ashlee loves creating art, and enjoys spending time in the outdoors with her family.
Sally
Nurse & Receptionist
Sally is one of two incredible Receptionists at Animal Eye Services. She genuinely loves working with owners and our team to create the best outcome for each and every patient. With a Veterinary Nursing career spanning 20 years, along with her experience and qualification in Veterinary Practice Management, she brings a well-rounded, capable, and enthusiastic energy to the team.
Sally’s goal is and has always been to promote the health and well-being of all animals in her care. Over the years this has expanded to include the most positive experience for our clients, especially in the challenging times.
As well as working with Animal Eye Services, Sally is also a Scout Leader with the Victoria Point Scout Group, loving the community spirit of Scouting and watching the youth develop into great leaders.
In addition to this, Sally is also an avid dog agility and nose work participant with her two little dogs, Marlo and Chisel. She loves being outdoors - camping, bush walking, road trips in her little beetle Moses. At home, it’s all snuggles with her very cuddly tabby, Teabag.
Carly
Receptionist
Born and bred in Melbourne, Carly and her family relocated to country Victoria, where she was educated. Carly soon embraced country life and enjoyed playing netball, tennis and following the Western Bulldogs AFL team. She doted on her
beloved dog, creatively named Spot, who literally followed her home from school one day and stayed for 12 years.
At the completion of her education, Carly traveled overseas and worked in London. She met her future husband there, who hailed from Brisbane and eventually settled here.
Her extensive work history included the areas of real estate, the health industry, and public relations. Carly has found her niche at Animal Eye Services and has never been happier in her role. A litter of puppies being brought in is her idea of
heaven! Carly now shares her life with her husband Danny, children Layla and Jack and beloved border collie Cruze.